SENTENCE

SENTENCE

Definition: A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete sense (complete thought).

A sentence may be classified in two ways:

According to Sense (Meaning)

According to Structure

I. TYPES OF SENTENCES ACCORDING TO SENSE (MEANING)

1. Assertive Sentence

Definition: An assertive sentence asserts (states) something. The word assertive is derived from the English verb assert.

Examples: The sun rises in the east. / She is an honest girl.

2. Interrogative Sentence

Definition: An interrogative sentence interrogates (asks) something. The word interrogative is derived from the English verb interrogate.

Examples: Where do you live? / Have you completed your homework?

3. Imperative Sentence

Definition: An imperative sentence commands, requests, advises, instructs or prohibits someone. The word imperative is not derived from any English verb. It comes from the Latin verb imperare, meaning to command or to order.

Examples: Open the door. / Please help me. / Never tell a lie.

4. Exclamatory Sentence

Definition: An exclamatory sentence exclaims something. The word exclamatory is derived from the English verb exclaim.

Examples: What a beautiful flower! / How wonderful the view is!

5. Optative Sentence

Definition: An optative sentence expresses a wish, prayer, blessing or curse. The word optative is not derived from any English verb. It comes from the Latin verb optare, meaning to wish or to desire.

Examples: May God bless you! / Long live our nation!

II. TYPES OF SENTENCES ACCORDING TO STRUCTURE

Clause

Definition: A clause is a group of words containing a Subject and a Predicate.

1. Independent (Main) Clause

Definition: An independent (main) clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Example: He is honest.

2. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause

Definition: A dependent (subordinate) clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It depends on the main clause to complete its meaning.

Examples: because he was ill / when the bell rang / that he was honest

1. Simple Sentence

Definition: A simple sentence contains one independent (main) clause.

Example: He plays football.

2. Compound Sentence

Definition: A compound sentence contains two or more independent (main) clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Example: He worked hard, but he failed.

3. Complex Sentence

Definition: A complex sentence contains one independent (main) clause and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses.

Example: I know that he is honest.

4. Compound-Complex Sentence

Definition: A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent (main) clauses and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses.

Example: Although it was raining, I went to school, and my brother stayed at home.

Shortcut

Independent Clauses

Dependent Clauses

Type of Sentence

1

0

Simple

1

1 or more

Complex

2 or more

0

Compound

2 or more

1 or more

Compound-Complex

I would suggest one improvement for your notes. Instead of "commands, requests, advises, instructs or prohibits someone", write "commands, requests, advises, instructs or prohibits an action." It is grammatically more precise because an imperative sentence directs the performance (or non-performance) of an action rather than "someone."