Sentences
Definition of a Sentence
A sentence has two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject includes the noun or pronoun that tells what the subject is about. The predicate includes the verb that describes what the subject is doing. Therefore, a sentence is a group of words with two main parts: a subject area and a predicate area. Together, the subject and predicate express a complete thought.
Functions of a Sentence
There are four sentence functions in English: declarative, exclamatory, interrogative, and imperative.
Declarative Sentences
Declarative sentencesstate an idea. They end with a period.
Examples:
a) Grasshoppers contain more than 60 percent protein.
b) Insects are rich in necessary vitamins and minerals.
c) Crickets are packed with calcium, a mineral crucial for bone growth.
d) Termites and caterpillars are a rich source of iron.
Examples:
a) Grasshoppers contain more than 60 percent protein.
b) Insects are rich in necessary vitamins and minerals.
c) Crickets are packed with calcium, a mineral crucial for bone growth.
d) Termites and caterpillars are a rich source of iron.
Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences show strong emotions. They end with an exclamation mark.
Examples:
a) I can’t believe you left the car at the station overnight!
b) What a mess you made in the kitchen!
c) Our evening is ruined!
d) The china is smashed!
Examples:
a) I can’t believe you left the car at the station overnight!
b) What a mess you made in the kitchen!
c) Our evening is ruined!
d) The china is smashed!
Interrogative Sentences
Interrogative sentences ask a question. They end with a question mark.
a) Who would eat bugs?
b) Where did you put the eraser?
c) Would you please help me with this package?
d) What do you call this dish?
a) Who would eat bugs?
b) Where did you put the eraser?
c) Would you please help me with this package?
d) What do you call this dish?
Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences give orders or directions, and so end with a period or an exclamation mark. Imperative sentences often omit the subject, as in a command.
a) Take this route to save 5 miles.
b) Clean up your room!
c) Sit down and listen!
d) Fasten your seatbelts when the sign is illuminated.
a) Take this route to save 5 miles.
b) Clean up your room!
c) Sit down and listen!
d) Fasten your seatbelts when the sign is illuminated.
Types of Sentences
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has one independent clause. That means it has one subject and one verb—although either or both can be compound. In addition, a simple sentence can have adjectives and adverbs. What a simple sentence can’t have is another independent clause or any subordinate clauses.
Examples:
a) The snow melted quickly in the bright sunshine.
Subject Verb
b) Oprah Winfrey and Conan O’Brien host
Examples:
a) The snow melted quickly in the bright sunshine.
Subject Verb
b) Oprah Winfrey and Conan O’Brien host
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses. The independent clauses can be joined in one of two ways:
a) With a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)
a) With a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)
Coordinating Conunctions
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Meaning
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Functions
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Examples:
(1) Water and wind are the two main causes of erosion, forthey constantly change the appearance of the Earth.
(2) Some of us liked the program that night, and many people were enthusiastic about it.
(3) It does not make assumptions about the proper gender for a job, nor does it assume that men take precedence over women.
(4) He had taken the wine out of the French Wine Coca and added some caffeine, but the medicine tasted so terrible that at the last minute he
added some extract of kola nut and a few other oils.
(5) Complete the exercises that directly match the types of tests you are taking now or plan to take in the immediate future.
(6) Cigarettes are known to be dangerous to health, yet many people continue to smoke them.
(7) Many women misinterpreted the remarks of the candidate, so he tried to restate his position.
b) With a semicolon (;)
Examples:
(1) A cause is what happens; the effect is the result.
(2) The mechanic adjusted the carburetor; Tina’s car now runs smoothly.
(1) Water and wind are the two main causes of erosion, forthey constantly change the appearance of the Earth.
(2) Some of us liked the program that night, and many people were enthusiastic about it.
(3) It does not make assumptions about the proper gender for a job, nor does it assume that men take precedence over women.
(4) He had taken the wine out of the French Wine Coca and added some caffeine, but the medicine tasted so terrible that at the last minute he
added some extract of kola nut and a few other oils.
(5) Complete the exercises that directly match the types of tests you are taking now or plan to take in the immediate future.
(6) Cigarettes are known to be dangerous to health, yet many people continue to smoke them.
(7) Many women misinterpreted the remarks of the candidate, so he tried to restate his position.
b) With a semicolon (;)
Examples:
(1) A cause is what happens; the effect is the result.
(2) The mechanic adjusted the carburetor; Tina’s car now runs smoothly.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. An independent clause is a complete sentence because it has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought; while a dependent (subordinate) clause is part of a sentence, so it cannot stand alone. The independent clause is called the main clause.
These sentences use subordinating conjunctions to link ideas. The subordinating conjunctions include such words as: because, as, as if, unless, provided that, if, even if. Therefore, Conditional sentences belong to this type too.
Examples:
a) Because he is sick,John does not go to school today.
Dependent Clause Independent Clause
b) The skies turn to darkas the rain falls.
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
c) She kept smilingas if she did nothing wrong.
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
d) Conditional Type II
Unless John gave you some money, you wouldn’t be able to afford the book.
Dependent Clause Independent Clause
e) Conditional Type III
Provided that he had ridden his motorbike carefully, he wouldn’t have hit the kid.
Dependent Clause Independent Clause
f) Conditional Type I
You can call me if you need some help.
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
Even if I have to go,I won’t go with you.
Dependent Clause Independent Clause
These sentences use subordinating conjunctions to link ideas. The subordinating conjunctions include such words as: because, as, as if, unless, provided that, if, even if. Therefore, Conditional sentences belong to this type too.
Examples:
a) Because he is sick,John does not go to school today.
Dependent Clause Independent Clause
b) The skies turn to darkas the rain falls.
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
c) She kept smilingas if she did nothing wrong.
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
d) Conditional Type II
Unless John gave you some money, you wouldn’t be able to afford the book.
Dependent Clause Independent Clause
e) Conditional Type III
Provided that he had ridden his motorbike carefully, he wouldn’t have hit the kid.
Dependent Clause Independent Clause
f) Conditional Type I
You can call me if you need some help.
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
Even if I have to go,I won’t go with you.
Dependent Clause Independent Clause