LoginSentences
In this lesson we learn about sentences, which are essential structures in language that express a complete thought and consist of a subject and a predicate. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
Sentences: Types Based on Mood
Sentences are mainly categorized into six moods as follows:
Declarative Sentences
Declarative sentences give information about something. They have a subject and a predicate which is made of a verb and sometimes an object, a subject complement, or object complement. Here are the examples.
My mother used to have long straight hair.
His father isn't rational enough to bear this.
Declarative sentences are further divided into two groups:
negative declarative sentences
affirmative declarative sentences
Affirmative sentences have positive verbs. We use negation rules to form negative sentences. Check out the examples.
You should study to get a good job in the future.
We do not get a good salary.
Interrogative Sentences
We use the interrogative mood to ask questions or to ask for information about something. Usually, interrogative sentences are inverted. Here are the examples.
What was your name again?
Were you at the party last night?
Interrogative sentences are categorized into two groups:
Wh-questions start with an interrogative pronoun or adverb and yes/no questions start with an auxiliary verb. Check the examples.
Where do you live?
A wh-question using the interrogative adverb "where"
Did you talk to your teacher?
A yes/no question using the auxiliary verb "do"
Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences are used to give orders. They are sometimes made of only one word which is the imperative verb. Here are some examples:
Sit down!
Have fun!
English Imperative sentences are also of two types:
imperative sentence using only one verb
imperative sentence using a subject and a verb
The subject of an imperative sentence is the pronoun 'you' which is usually omitted because it is implied in the meaning of the imperative verb. For example:
You shut up!
Speak!
Imperative Verbs vs. 'Should' and 'Must'
Should and must are not imperative verbs. Imperative verbs can be used without subjects. However, you can never use modal verbs on their own as an imperative verb. So, if you can omit the subject without damaging the structure of the sentence, then the verb is in imperative mood.
You start reading → Start reading. ✓
In this example, start is an imperative verb.
You must study → Must study. ✗
In this example the verb 'must' cannot be used without a subject so it isn't an imperative verb.
You should clean your room → Should clean your room ✗
Negative Imperatives
Since imperative verbs are all main verbs, to form negative imperatives all you have to do is add don't before them. For example:
Do not take my car!
Don't be jealous!
Subjunctive Sentences
Subjunctive sentences express hypothetical or unreal scenarios, as well as wishes and suggestions. When giving suggestions, these sentences use the basic form of the verb and when expressing wishes, they use the past form of the verb. Look at the examples:
The teacher insisted that he complete the assignment.
I wish she were here.
When expressing wishes with the verb "to be", all subjects take "were".
Conditional Sentences
Conditional sentences are used to introduce a condition which must be met before something else can happen. These sentences consist of two clauses. One clause introduces the condition and the other gives the result of the condition being met. The condition clause uses condition markers such as "if", "unless", "in case", etc. to introduce the condition.
I will miss my class unless I hurry.
If she were taller, she could reach the shelf.
There are four different types of conditionals in English:
Type zero: states a general fact or truth
If you heat water, it boils.
Type I: talks about a real condition or a likely situation in the future
If it rains, we will stay indoors.
Type II: expresses an unreal or unlikely scenario in the present or future
If I were rich, I would travel the world.
Type III: expresses an unreal or unlikely scenario in the past
If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
Sentences: Types Based on Structure
Based on their structure, sentences are categorized into four groups:
Simple Sentences
Simple sentences consist of a single independent finite clause which has a subject as the doer of the action and a predicate which represents the action. Simple sentences are not followed by any other dependent or subordinate clauses. For example:
Sara is beautiful.
My mother drank the tea gently.
Compound Sentences
Compound sentences consist of two independent clauses that are joined together using a coordinating conjunction or semicolons. Here are the examples:
This is too expensive, but I will buy it.
I want to gain weight, yet I don't like eating.
Complex Sentences
Complex sentences are formed using a main clause and at least one finite dependent clause linked to the main clause. Here are the examples.
I moved out of my parents' house when I finished high school.
You will pass if you study harder.
Compound-Complex Sentences
Compound-complex sentences combine compound sentences with complex sentences. In other words, a compound-complex sentence has at least two main clauses and one finite dependent clause. Here are some examples:
He cried when he left, but I didn't care.
I am beautiful and my mother is beautiful too, yet my grandfather says she is more beautiful than me.
Punctuation Marks
Every type of sentence is followed by a particular punctuation mark. You can see the punctuations used for each sentence type on the following list:
Period: declarative sentences (.)
Question mark: interrogative sentences (?)
Exclamation mark: exclamatory and imperative sentences (!)
Review
Sentences are made from different words. Based on their mood they are categorized into four groups:
declarative
interrogatory
imperative
exclamatory
subjunctive
conditional
Based on their structure, they are categorized into four groups as well.
simple sentences
compound sentences
complex sentences
compound-complex sentences
Quiz:
Which of the following is a characteristic of a declarative sentence?
It asks a question.
It expresses a command or order.
It gives information or makes a statement.
It shows strong emotions or surprise.
Sort the words to form a conditional sentence.
Match each sentence type with its correct example
Which sentence is an example of a complex sentence?
She went to the store, and he stayed home.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
You should study for the test.
What a beautiful painting!
Fill in the table with the correct sentence type based on structure.
I moved out of my parents' house when I finished high school. | |
This dish is too spicy, but I like it. | |
He cried when I didn't buy the toy for him, but I didn't care. | |
My mother drank the tea gently. |
Comments
(0)
Recommended
