Sentence in English Grammar

In English grammar, a sentence is a group of words that conveys a complete thought or idea. It typically contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a statement, question, command, or exclamation.

Definition of a Sentence

A sentence is the basic unit of communication in English. It begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop (.), a question mark (?), or an exclamation mark (!).

Key Components of a Sentence

• Subject: The person or thing performing the action.
• Predicate: The part of the sentence that tells what the subject does or is.

Example: She (subject) is reading a book (predicate).

Types of Sentences

Type	Description	Example
Declarative	Makes a statement	I love learning English.
Interrogative	Asks a question	Do you speak English?
Imperative	Gives a command or request	Please open the window.
Exclamatory	Expresses strong feeling	What a beautiful day!

Kinds of Sentences by Structure

• Simple Sentence: Contains one independent clause.
  Example: The sun is shining.
• Compound Sentence: Contains two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.
  Example: I wanted to play, but it was raining.
• Complex Sentence: Contains one independent and one or more dependent clauses.
  Example: Although it was late, she continued working.
• Compound-Complex Sentence: Contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
  Example: Though she was tired, she finished the work, and she emailed it to her boss.

Importance of Sentences

Sentences are essential for expressing thoughts, emotions, and information clearly. Understanding how to construct and identify different types of sentences enhances both written and spoken communication skills in English.

Tip: Always start a sentence with a capital letter and end with appropriate punctuation.