Sentence - Types and Structure

What is a sentence?

A sentence is a group of words giving a complete thought. A sentence must contain a subject and a verb.

Parts of  a sentence

A sentence has a subject and a predicate. In simple terms, a sentence is a set of words that contain:

1. a subject (what the sentence is about, the topic of the sentence), and

2. a predicate (what is said about the subject)

Subject: The Subject is that part of a sentence about which something is said in the sentence. The subject may be a person, place, or thing. It can be a noun or a pronoun, in singular or plural form, depending upon the nature of the sentence. The subject is the "who" or "what" of the sentence

Predicate: The predicate is that part of a sentence that is said about the subject. It can be just a single word or a number of words. The predicate is the verb.

Object:  The object is any noun or concept that is part of the action of the subject. It is usually the receiver of the action.

The Four Types Of Sentence

1. A Declarative Sentence.

A declarative sentence makes a statement to relay information or ideas. It ends with a period (full stop).

• The concert begins in 2 hours.

• Declarative sentences make a statement.

• Green is my favorite color.

2. An Imperative Sentence.

An imperative sentence is a command or a polite request. It ends with an exclamation mark or a period (full stop). 

• Halt!

• Yield.

• Respond immediately.

3. An Interrogative Sentence.

An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark.

• Where are you going?

• What is your name?

• Is it snowing?

4. An Exclamatory Sentence.

An exclamatory sentence expresses excitement or emotion. It ends with an exclamation mark. 

• I can’t wait for the party!

• Oh, my goodness, I won!

• Suddenly, a bear appeared in my path!

Sentence Structure

Writing with uniform sentence structures can appear to be boring and uninteresting. Sentences can be varied in length and complexities to spice up your writing. Some can be long and others can be short. Read the two paragraphs on the next page and decide which one you like better.

1. I love living in the city. I have a wonderful view of the entire city. I have an apartment. I can see the Golden Gate Bridge. I can see many cargo ships pass under the bridge each day. I like the restaurants in San Francisco. I can find wonderful food from just about every country. I don’t like the traffic in the city.

2. I love living in the city of San Francisco. I have a wonderful view of the entire city from my apartment window. In addition, I can see the Golden Gate Bridge under which many cargo ships pass each day. I also like San Francisco because I can find wonderful restaurants with food from just about every country; however, I don’t like the traffic in the city.

To bring variety to your sentences, you must learn the basic sentence structures.

There are four types of sentences:

•Simple sentence

•Compound sentence

•Complex sentence

•Compound-Complex sentence

Let's understand them one by one.

1. Simple Sentence

A simple sentence has just one independent clause. It consists of one or more subjects or one or more verbs.

• The bird built a nest of twigs and leaves.

Subject- The bird

Verb- built

• Tom and May were given awards.

Subject- Tom and May

Verb- were given

• She cried and laughed.

Subject- She

Verb- cried, laughed

For a sentence to be classified as a simple sentence-

•It must have one subject and one verb.

•It must have a complete thought.

•It is an independent clause.

2. Compound Sentence

A compound sentence is two independent clauses joined by a semicolon or conjunction  

• Here are the coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, for, nor, yet.

• The moon was bright and we could see our way.

This sentence consists of 2 parts

(i) The moon was bright.

(ii) We could sec our way.

These two parts are joined by the coordinating conjunction and.

Each part contains a Subject and a Predicate of its own. Each part is what we call a Clause. each Clause makes good sense by itself and hence could stand by itself as a separate sentence. Each Clause is therefore independent of the other or of the same order or rank. Such a clause is known as the independent/principal/main clause.

• Our car broke down; we came last.

• The meal was expensive, but it was spoiled, so I threw it.

You can make a compound sentence by joining two logically related independent clauses by using…

• Semicolon

I love living in the city; there are so many things to do.

[The semicolon joins the two independent clauses]

• Coordinating conjunction

She dictated, and I typed.

[the coordinating conjunction and joins the two independent clauses]

• Transition

The meal was expensive, but it was spoiled, so I threw it.

[the coordinating conjunction but and transition so join the three independent clauses.]

3. Complex Sentence

A complex sentence consists of one independent clause plus one or more dependent clauses joined by a subordinating conjunction.

• Here are some common subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, as if, as long as, as soon as, because, before, even though, in order, so that,  if, once, since, so, than, that, though, till, until, unless, when, where, whenever, wherever, whether, while.

• Here are the five basic relative pronouns: that, which, who, whom, whose.

They rested when evening came. (I+D)

“They rested” could stand by itself as a complete sentence and is, therefore, an independent clause.

The clause, “when evening came”, cannot stand by itself and make good sense. It is dependent on the clause, “they rested.”  It is therefore called a dependent or subordinate clause.

• He went abroad because he wanted to earn money.

(Independent)- He went abroad.

(Dependent)- because he wanted to earn money.

• The school which was built ten years ago was already renovated when I saw it.

(Independent)- The school was already renovated

(Dependent)-  which was built ten years ago

(Dependent)- when I saw it

4. Compound-complex sentences 

A compound-complex sentence contains multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. These sentences will contain both conjunctions and subordinators.

There are some simple rules to this kind of structure:

•Put a comma after the dependent clause if it begins the sentence.

•Put a comma before the and, but, or that connects the 2 independent clauses

• We can talk about anything, and we will go anywhere just as long as we are together.

(Independent)- We can talk about anything

(Independent)-  we will go anywhere

(Dependent)-  just as long as we are together.