What is a sentence?
A sentence is the basic unit of writing and expression. It contains at least a subject and a predicate. It is syntactically independent and has a subject that is expressed or, as in imperative sentences, understood and a predicate that contains at least one finite verb.
The Rules
To make a sentence:
- There must be a subject.
- The exception to this rule is a class of sentences called imperatives, in which the subject is usually implied (Faigley 369).
- English is unlike several other languages in requiring a subject for sentences. In Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese, for example, speakers can say the equivalent of is raining without inserting a subject. But speakers of English must insert a dummy subject in such cases (it is raining) even though it refers to nothing (Faigley 370).
- The subject is a person, place, or thing “that either performs an action or is described” (Glenn 292).
- There must be a predicate.
- The predicate expresses the action initiated by the subject or makes a comment about the subject (Glenn 292).
- Always start with a capital letter and end with one of these punctuations: period, exclamation point, or question mark.
Usage
The four functions of sentences are demonstrated by the following:
1. An imperative sentence gives instructions.
- Go make me a bowl of cereal.
2. A declarative sentence reports information or states facts.
- We are out of cereal.
3. An interrogative sentence is a question and it elicits information or introduces topics.
- Would you go to the store and get some cereal?
4. An exclamatory sentence portrays emotions.
- The car is on fire!
The four types of sentences are determined by the nature and number of clauses they contain.
1. A simple sentence is one independent clause with no subordinate clauses (Hacker 464).
- The hamster rolls around in its toy ball.
2. A compound sentence consists of two or more main clauses and no subordinate clause (Aaron 167). The independent clauses are usually joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) or with a semicolon (Hacker 464).
- Yuki is a white dog, but Dixie is a black dog.
3. A complex sentence is composed of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses (Hacker 464).
- When you stay up late, it is hard to stay awake all day.
4. A compound-complex sentence has the characteristics of both the compound sentence (two or more main clauses) and the complex sentence (at least one subordinate clause) (Aaron 168).
- While the crickets chirped, one owl sat on a branch, and the other owl hunted.
Links
Works Cited
- Glenn, Cheryl et al. The Writer’s Harbrace Handbook. 2nd ed. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth, 2005.
- Faigsley, Lester. The Brief Penguin Handbook. Pearson Education, Inc., 2003.
- Aaron, Jane E. The Little Brown Compact Handbook. 5th ed. Pearson Education, Inc., 2004.
- Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2003.