Sentence and Its Types | Types of Sentences | Sentence Definition

Sentence

A sentence is a group of words that are joined together to make complete sense. It is made up of two parts, a subject, and a predicate.

Subject

The subject is the part of a sentence that names the person/thing being spoken about. In a sentence, a subject is usually placed first, except in interrogative and exclamatory sentences

Examples:

A. Children play football

B. Children of this school play football

• Children in sentence A and Children of this school in sentence B are placed first. They are the subjects in their respective sentences
• Children and Children of this school are subjects in the sentences as it is the children who act (play) in the sentences. 
• The underlined parts are predicates in the above sentences. A predicate could be one word, or more than one word made up of various components.

Predicate

The predicate is that part of a sentence that must have at least one finite verb. Predicates provide information about the subject and the verb in a sentence.

Examples: 

A. Children swim.

B. Children play football.

C. I am their teacher.

Types of Sentences

There are four different types of sentences: 

1. Declarative sentences make a statement. These can be of two types:

• Affirmative-Example: Rina is a teacher.
• Negative Example Rana is not a teacher

2. Interrogative sentences ask questions: These can be of three types:

• Wh-questions-Example: What is your name?
• Yes/no questions-Example Is your name Rina? 
• Question tags-Example: Your name is Rina, isn't it?

3. Imperative sentences are used to

• Command/Instruct-Example: Correct your spelling
• Make a request-Example: Please help me carry these books. 
• Give advice-Example: You must sleep at least eight hours every day.

4. Exclamatory sentences express strong emotional feelings, such as:

• Anger-Example: Hush! Say no more.
• Shock-Example: Alas! I lost everything.
• Surprise Example: Oh my god! I can't believe my eyes. 
• Admiration-Example: Wow! What a beautiful horse it is!

SIMPLE SENTENCES

A sentence that is made up of one independent clause and makes complete sense is called a simple sentence.

Examples:

A. Meera loves animals

COMPOUND SENTENCES

When two independent clauses are joined by a conjunction to make a sentence, it is called a compound sentence.

Examples:

A. The question is tricky but I can answer it.

B. Rohan did not study for the test, yet he scored quite well.

C. We were stuck in traffic so we reached an hour late.

D. I can take you to the park or I can take you to the museum.

COMPLEX SENTENCES

When an independent clause joins a dependent/subordinate clause' to make a sentence, it is called a complex sentence.

Examples:

A. I know the man who came to meet you yesterday

B. The book that you gave me had wonderful stories.

C. Gunjan left the party early as she was in a hurry. 

D Before I left for Goa, I finished all my work.