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A sentence is a set of words that makes complete sense. A sentence always gives a
complete idea.
Every sentence has two parts:
1. a subject
(who or what the sentence is about)
2. a predicate
(the part which tells something about the subject)
For example:
She (subject) speaks (predicate).
A subject contains a noun or a pronoun and words describing the noun or pronoun. In
For example:
John and Cody (subject) play (verb) basketball whenever they get time (predicate).
In the given sentence, John and Cody are the subjects. Play basketball whenever
they get time is the predicate, andplay is the verb.
Look at these sentences:
1. What time is it?
2. It is almost noon.
3. Look at the clock.
4. Wow, it's very late!
We see that:
Sentence #1 is question.
Sentence #2 is a statement.
Sentence #3 is a command.
Sentence #4 is an exclamation.
We use the four basic types of sentences in our writing to convey different tones.
1. Declarative sentences form a statement:
Today is Saturday.
We should go skiing.
Notice that these sentences don't seem to have a subject. Actually, they have what we
call an understood subject, and it is you. The reader or listener understands that the
subject of each sentence is you.
4. Exclamatory sentences show powerful feelings:
Notice that an exclamatory sentence can also have an understood subject (you). This
is demonstrated in the first example, "Get out of here!"
Summary
A sentence is a set of words that makes complete sense, and consists of a subject and a
predicate.
We use declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory sentences in our writing.
Below given is a table that explains different types of sentences.
Type of Sentence
Use
Punctuation Mark
Examples
The store opens at 9:00
AM.
Declarative
Forms a statement
(.)
Interrogative
Asks a question
(?)
Where is your
textbook?
What is your phone
number?
Gives a command or
makes a polite request
Exclamatory
Shows powerful
feelings
I am so excited!
I can't believe I got an
A on this!