Sentence

 The Sentence

When we speak or write we use words in groups. A group of words that makes complete sense, is called a sentence.

Example: Nature is the best physician.

              The earth revolves around the sun.

               He has a good memory.

Kinds of Sentences

Sentences are of four kinds:-

1. Declarative or Assertive sentence.
2. Interrogative sentence.
3. Imperative sentence.
4. Exclamatory sentence.

Declarative or Assertive Sentence:-

A sentence that makes a statement or assertion is called a Declarative or Assertive sentence.

Example: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall

Interrogative sentence:-

A sentence that asks a question is called an Interrogative sentence.

Example: where do you live?

Imperative sentence:-

A sentence that expresses a command, request, or entreaty is called an Imperative sentence.

Example: Be quiet.

Exclamatory sentence:-

A sentence that expresses a strong feeling is called an Exclamatory sentence.

Example: How cold the night is!

SUBJECT AND PREDICATE

When we make a sentence, we name some person or thing and Say something about that person or thing.

In other words, we must have a subject to speak about and we must say or predicate something about that subject.

Every sentence has two parts:-

1. The part which names the person or thing we are speaking about. This is called the Subject of the sentence.
2. The part which tells something about the Subject. This is called the Predicate of the sentence.

The subject of a sentence usually comes first, but occasionally it is put after the Predicate; as

    

    Here comes the bus.

    Sweet are the uses of adversity.

In Imperative sentences the Subject is left out; as

    Sit down. [Here the Subject, You is understood].

    Thank him. [Here too the Subject, You is understood].

THE PHRASE AND THE CLAUSE

Phrase: The group of words, which makes sense, but not complete sense, is called a Phrase.

In the following sentences, the group of words in italics are Phrases:- 

The sun rises in the east.

There came a giant to my door.

The tops of the mountains were covered with snow.

Clause: The group of words that forms part of the sentence, and contains a Subject and a Predicate, is called a Clause.

Example: He has a chain of gold.

               He has a chain, which is made of gold.

We recognize the first group of words as a Phrase.

The second group of words, unlike the Phrase of gold, contains Subject (which) and a Predicate (is made of gold).

In the following sentences, the group of words in italics are Clauses:-

We cannot start while it is raining.

People who pay their debts are trusted.

I think that you have made a mistake.