There are some core and basic units that are important in English grammar. These units build the concept of grammar and help us excel in writing and speech. And one of the largest units in any language is called a sentence.
A sentence is a core unit that helps us put our thoughts into words and expresses them verbally or through writings.
Sentences are basically words lined up together that have some meaning to them. Sentences help us give life to our thoughts and express our moods. So, we see the basic concept of a sentence seems easy. However, it can get complicated sometimes. Sentences are of different types, and all have different functions.
Let us get into a detailed discussion to learn more and form proper sentences without any mistakes.
What is a sentence?
A sentence can be defined as a set of words put together to express a complete thought. They are words used in such a way that brings about the thought process of a person. Sentences usually contain a subject and a verb. It revolves around the subject and the actions related to it.
However, it is not necessary to always have a subject and a predicate in a sentence. Sentences can be anything. They are complete in themselves, and they express or convey different thoughts. It can be a statement, question, demand, command, or even wish. Sentences help us put these impressions into words and phrases.
A sentence usually consists of a main clause, which is an independent clause. And sometimes, that clause is accompanied by subordinate clauses or dependent clauses.
Let us look at some examples;
I saw Anna running downstairs.
Here, Anna is a subject, and running is the predicate. This sentence is complete. It describes a full idea and can stand alone. These types are called independent clauses.
The basketball team is good because they practice regularly.
Here, we see there is an independent as well as a dependent clause.
In fact, everything that is written here is in the form of sentences. Sentences are everywhere. These are the key ingredients in English grammar.
Usage and types of sentences
Sentences usually contain a subject and a predicate. But sentences are of different types and have different structures and functions.
Therefore, in some sentences, the subject might be off the line or absent.
The four basic structures of sentences are;
- Simple sentence: This includes only one independent clause.
- Compound sentence: This consists of at least two independent clauses.
- Complex sentence: This contains both an independent and a dependent clause.
- Compound-complex sentence: This contains a minimum of two independent clauses and one dependent clause.
Now, after learning the structures of sentences. We need to learn the categories of sentences based on their functionality. Each tries to convey different thoughts and different ideas. Such as;
Declarative sentence: They state or declare facts.
For example:
He is a good player.
Imperative sentence: They command or direct action. Here, the subject is usually absent.
For example:
Close the door.
Interrogative sentence: They ask questions.
For example:
Where is the pen I gave you?
Exclamatory sentence: They convey surprises or excitement.
For example:
What a beautiful piece of art!
So, we learned that sentences are any set of words that convey a particular thought or an idea. They are of many types, and it is important to follow the structures properly to create grammatically correct sentences.
