What is a sentence?: Difference between revisions

What is a sentence? (view source)

Revision as of 13:16, 13 July 2006

1,429 bytes removed , 18 years ago

no edit summary

Bmel

43

edits

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-"A sentence is a unit of language charecterized in most languages by the presence of a finite verb" (wikipedia). Sentences  are classified two ways: according to their structure (simple, compuond, complex, and compound-complex) and according to their purpose (declaritive, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory) (Hacker 463).
+"A sentence is a unit of language charecterized in most languages by the presence of a finite verb" (wikipedia). Sentences  are classified two ways: according to their structure (simple, compuond, complex, and compound-complex) and according to their purpose (declaritive, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory) (Hacker 463).  The basic unit in writing is the sentence.
 ===Structure===
-*Simple sentence: A Simple sentence is one independent clause with no subordinate clauses ( Hacker 464).
+*Simple sentence: A Simple sentence is one independent clause with no subordinate clauses ( Hacker 464). "I am not very good a writing essays."
-*Compound sentence: A compuond sentence is composed of two or more independent clauses with no subordinate clauses. The independent clauses are usually joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (''and'', ''but '', ''or'', ''not'', ''for'', ''so'', ''yet'') or with a semicolon (Hacker 464).
+*Compound sentence: A compound sentence is composed of two or more independent clauses with no subordinate clauses. The independent clauses are usually joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (''and'', ''but '', ''or'', ''not'', ''for'', ''so'', ''yet'') or with a semicolon (Hacker 464).  "The girl ran fast, though her classmates were gaining on her."
 *Complex sentence: A complex sentence is composed of one independent clause with one or more subordinate clauses (Hacker 464).
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ===Purpose===
+There are four major patterns that function in a sentence.
-*Declaritive sentences make statements (Hacker 465).
+*Declaritive sentences make statements (Hacker 465)."The weather is nice today."
-*Imperative sentences issue requests or commands (hacker 465).
+*Imperative sentences issue requests or commands (hacker 465). "Go to the store."
-*Interrogative sentences ask questions (Hacker 465).
+*Interrogative sentences ask questions (Hacker 465). "What time is it anyways?"
-*Exclamatory sentences make exclamations (Hacker 465).
+*Exclamatory sentences make exclamations (Hacker 465).  "What a fun ride"!
 ==How to make a sentence==
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 *Sentences must end with a period, question mark, or an exclamation point.
 *Sentences must be a complete thought.
+*A sentence can be either positive or negative in function.
 ==Usage==
@@ Line 29: / Line 31: @@
 The subject is what or whom the sentence is about. The verb tells what the subject of the sentence does. It tells the action.
 :To determine the subject of a sentence, first isolate the verb and then make a question by placing who? or what? before it. The answer is the subject(Peck).
+:Sentences should have a predicate that says something about the verb.
 ===Capital letter===
@@ Line 43: / Line 46: @@
 *Exclamation points are used after an exclamation of surprise, shock or dismay, which is generally a short sentence or phrase expressing very strong feeling (Darling).
 :The pool part was great!
+:Boy! What a ride!
 ===Complete thought===
@@ Line 68: / Line 72: @@
 *Wikipedia. "Sentence Linguistics." 27 Jun 2006. Online. 12 Jul 2006.
 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=sentence_%28linguistics%29&oldid=60811791>.
-'''What is a sentence'''
-The basic unit in writing is the sentence. Sentences should include a main verb,a subject,and a predicate which says something about the verb.
-Many people think that a sentence simply begins with a capital
-letter and ends in a question mark or period.  This is not a fact.  There are at least four major patterns that function in a sentence; declaratives,interrogatives,imperatives and exclamations.  Declaratives being sentences that make statements.  Interrogatives are questions.  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.  A imperative usually implies what the subject is.  A imperative is an exception to the rule. Sentences are clasified 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 can 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 represents a compound sentence.  "The girl ran very fast.  Her classmates were gaining on her as she ran. Oh boy."  May be an example of a compound sentence.  Complex sentences have one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. " She ran very fast down the lane.  Give it to her."  Is an complex sentence.  Two independent clauses and one dependent clause along with one dependent clause represent a compound-complex sentence such as:  The rain fell heavily most of today.  The weatherman predicted partly cloudy mostly sunny today.  He was wrong.  It takes practice to learn good writing habits.