Bmel

What is a sentence?

The basic unit in writing is the sentence. Sentences should include a main verb, a subject, and a predicate which should say something about the verb.

Many people think that a sentence is simply a group of words that begin with a capital letter and ends in a question mark or a period. This is not a fact. There are at least four major patterns that function in a sentence; declaratives, interrogatives, imperatives, and exclamations. Declaratives are sentences that make statements. Interrogatives are sentences that ask a quesstion. Imperatives usually demand some form of action. Exclamations express strong emotion. Typically the subject in a sentence announces what the sentence is about. The predicate conveys an action of the subject. An imperative usually implies what the subject is. An imperative is an exception to the rule. Sentences are classified according to function.

A sentence can be either positive or negative in function. A single independent clause constitutes a sentence. Noting the number and kinds of clauses an identify a sentence. Understanding types of clauses helps you identify sentences. A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause such as "I am not very good at writing essays." Two independent clauses with no dependent clause represent a compound sentence. "The girl ran very fast, though her classmates were gaining on her." is an example of a compound sentence. Complex sentences have one independent clause and at least one dependent clause su as, "If the floor is wet, don't run." Two independent clauses and one dependent clause represent a compound-complex sentence. "The rain fell heavily most of the day after the weatherman called for clear skies."

Claused come in two varieties: independent and subordinate. An independent clause contains a subject and a predicate, and can stand alone. A subordinate clause contains a subject and predicate, but functions as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun; it cannot stand alone. (Hacker,464).

Instead of simply writing in the way that we speak; research, good study habits, and practicing different sentence writing styles along with knowing sentence functions and placement halps make for continuing good writing habits.

Works Cited

Faigley, Lester. "The Brief Penguin Handbook." University of Texas at Austin.

Hacker, Diana. "A Writers Reference." 5th ed. Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2003