Have you been have problems making sentences that are grammatically and semantically correct? If yes, then today is your luck day, as I begin part 1 of your journey into the mastery of English Sentences. At the end of this series, you should be competent enough to make good sentences.
In part 1 of this series, we shall consider the concept of a sentence and the classifications of English sentences
Table of Contents
The Concept of a Sentence
A sentence to a member of the jury, is a judgement handed down in favour of an accused or against a complainant. In grammar which is our concern in this work, it’s a group of words which is complete in itself. Further, it somewhat comprises a subject and a predicate expressing a statement, question, etc.
Examples
- The man comes early.
Subject: The man
Predicate: comes early
- John said he was not fine.
Subject: John
Predicate: said he was not fine
The Classifications of English Sentences
Sentences in English are separated according to the following:
- Structure
- Function
Structure
Under structure, we have these sentences based on the number of clauses they contain. And to determine the number of clauses a sentence is made up of, you’re to identify the number of finite verbs available in it.
Examples
- God is Good. (Verb – is)
In the above example, there’s only one verb and as a result, the sentence has one clause.
- God is good and his mercy endures forever. (Verbs: is, endures)
In the above sentence, we have two verbs. Therefore, the sentence comprises two clauses.
- Joan said she arrived early but she wasn’t allowed into the hall because she forgot to pick her tag. (Verbs: said, arrived, was allowed, forgot).
Assessing the sentence, there are four verbs. So, we’ve four clauses in the sentence.
Getting done with how to know the number of clauses in a given sentence, we’re moving forward to examine the sentences according to structure, form.
Types Of Sentence Structure
- Simple Sentence
- Compound Sentence
- Complex Sentence
- Compound-Complex Sentence
Simple Sentence
What makes this sentence a simple one is the fact that it consists of a single unit of idea, information. The unit of information is based on the number of verb, clause as shown earlier. It’s usually a main clause as it stands on its own to make a complete meaning.
Examples
- Bradley’s friend visited him last year.
- He hasn’t returned the visit.
Compound Sentence
This form of sentence conveys two different units of messages that are separated using coordinating – and, or , but, because. It’s usually two simple sentences that are brought together in a ‘union’ with the help a conjunction.
Examples
- Bradley’s friend visited him last year but he hasn’t returned the visit.
- God is good and his mercy endures forever.
- You can write your name or call it.
In the part 2 of this series, our discussion will continue, as we look at the remaining two types of sentences under structure, and the second parameter which is function.
