A sentence can also be defined in orthographic terms alone, i.e. as simply that which is contained between a capital letter and a full stop. This is arguably more accurate than definitions which conflate orthography and grammar, given the variety of structures which are possible between the capital letter and a full stop.
The Sentence will be classified into 2 clauses
By structure
One traditional scheme for classifying English sentences is by the number and types of finite clauses:
Ø A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no dependent clauses.
Ø A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no dependent clauses. These clauses are joined together using conjunctions, punctuation, or both.
Ø A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one dependent clause.
Ø A complex-compound sentence (or compound-complex sentence) consists of multiple independent clauses, at least one of which has at least one dependent clause.
By purpose
Sentences can also be classified based on their purpose:
Ø A declarative sentence or declaration, the most common type, commonly makes a statement: "I have to go to work."
Ø An interrogative sentence or question is commonly used to request information — "Do I have to go to work?" — but sometimes not; see rhetorical question.
Ø An exclamatory sentence or exclamation is generally a more emphatic form of statement expressing emotion: "I have to go to work!"
Ø An imperative sentence or command tells someone to do something (and if done strongly may be considered both imperative and exclamatory): "Go to work." or "Go to work!"
Simple Sentence
A simple sentence, also called an
independent clause, contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete
thought. In the following simple sentences, subjects are in yellow, and verbs
are in green.
A. Some students like to study in the mornings. B. Juan and Arturo play football every afternoon. C. Alicia goes to the library and studies every day. |
COMPOUND
SENTENCE
A compound sentence contains two
independent clauses joined by a coordinator. The coordinators are as follows: for,
and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the
coordinators spells FANBOYS.) Except for very short sentences,
coordinators are always preceded by a comma. In the following compound
sentences, subjects are in yellow, verbs are in green, and the coordinators and
the commas that precede them are in red.
A. I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend tried to speak English. B. Alejandro played football, so Maria went shopping. C. Alejandro played football, for Maria went shopping. |
COMPLEX
SENTENCE
A complex sentence has an
independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence
always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or
when or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which. In
the following complex sentences, subjects are in yellow, verbs are in green,
and the subordinators and their commas (when required) are in red.
A. When he handed in his homework, he forgot to give the teacher the last page. B. The teacher returned the homework after she noticed the error. C. The students are studying because they have a test tomorrow. D. After they finished studying, Juan and Maria went to the movies. E. Juan and Maria went to the movies after they finished studying. |
Note that sentences D and E are the same except sentence D begins with the dependent clause which is followed by a comma, and sentence E begins with the independent clause which contains no comma. The comma after the dependent clause in sentence D is required, and experienced listeners of English will often hear a slight pause there. In sentence E, however, there will be no pause when the independent clause begins the sentence.
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