What is a Sentence?
What is a Sentence? Expressing Thoughts that Make Sense.
For sure, we always have something to say about anything. This is why blogging is so popular. However, in sharing our ideas, sentences are very important because these are our thoughts arranged in a way that make sense to the people we are addressing them to. Imagine if we share all our random thoughts in a few words and incomplete phrases, I seriously doubt it if somebody will get the message.
What is a Sentence?
To put it simply, a sentence is a bunch of words put together to make sense. In order to make a complete thought, a sentence has both a subject and predicate. If any of these are missing, then you would have a sentence fragment. On the other hand, if there are too many elements and too much information without the proper punctuation, then you have a run-on sentence.
It is clear that my words are arranged in a way to make you understand what I am doing right now. Obviously, I am writing about grammar or sentences, in particular. So, in writing sentences, you need a subject and a verb to complete your predicate. You start with a capital letter and end with the proper punctuation mark. We shall learn more about this matter further on. However, not all sentences are comprised of several words. A few single words are powerful enough to convey a complete thought.
What are the Four Types of Sentences?
In order to understand how sentences are made to make sense, let us learn about the four types of sentences.
#1 Declarative Sentences
A declarative sentence declares or makes a statement. This is by far the most commonly used type of sentence. We punctuate this sentence with a period (.).
The schoolchildren diligently studied their lessons.
#2 Interrogative Sentences
An interrogative sentence interrogates or asks questions. Children use this all the time, but so do many adults for that matter. We end this sentence with a question mark (?).
Where is the library?
Why do dogs howl at the moon?
Why are French fries bad for our health?
What is global warming?
What is the meaning of life?
#3 Imperative Sentences
An imperative sentence commands. Some parents love to do this and they are pretty good at it too. These commands can be very powerful that with just a single word, they can make people do things.
Run.
Dance.
Sing.
Apologize.
Obey.
Most of the time, these imperative sentences sound harsh but you can soften a command with a please.
Please study now.
Kindly clean your room.
Please forgive me.
# 4 Exclamatory Sentences
Many people are prone to exaggeration or melodrama these days which make exclamatory sentences very popular. An exclamatory sentence makes a statement with great feeling. Hence, there is a need to punctuate with an exclamation point (!) for emphasis.
Repent!
We won!
We lost!
I am so sorry!
I found some castor oil!
What are the Four Sentence Structures?
Now that you know about What is a Sentence?, let us study about the four sentence structures.
#1 Simple Sentences
A simple sentence only has one independent clause. An independent clause can stand on its own and has both subject and predicate.
#2 Compound Sentences
A compound sentence has at the very least two independent clauses. A coordinating conjunction (and, but) or a semicolon (;) joins these two clauses to create a complete message.
#3 Complex Sentences
A complex sentence has one independent clause and a subordinate clause. A subordinate clause may have both subject and predicate but they do not make a complete thought.
#4 Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.
