CLASSIFICATION BY STRUCTURE
One traditional scheme for classifying English sentences is by the number and types of finite clauses.
1. | Simple Sentence |
2. | Compound Sentence |
3. | Complex Sentence |
4. | Complex-Compound Sentence |
1. Simple Sentence
A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no dependent clauses.
Example: Ram is a boy.
2. Compound Sentence
A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no dependent clauses. These clauses are joined together using conjunctions, punctuation, or both
Example: Ram can not drive, but Hari can drive.
3. Complex Sentence
A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one dependent clause.
Example: I ate the meal that you cooked.
4. Complex-Compound Sentence
A complex-compound sentence (or compound-complex sentence) consists of multiple independent clauses, at least one of which has at least one dependent clause.
Example:The dog lived in the backyard, but the cat, who knew he was superior, lived inside the house.
CLASSIFICATION BY PURPOSE
Sentences can also be classified based on their purpose:
1. | Assertive or Declarative Sentence |
2. | Interrogative Sentence |
3. | Imperative Sentence |
4. | Exclamatory Sentence |
1. Assertive Or Declarative Sentence
A sentence that makes a simple statement or assertion is called an Assertive or Declarative Sentence. It is also called a Simple Sentence.
Example: I am a boy. / She is a girl.
2. Interrogative Sentence
A sentence that asks a question is called an Interrogative Sentence. A question mark (?) is placed at the end of every Interrogative Sentence.
Example: Who are you? / What are you doing?
3. Imperative Sentence
A sentence that expresses a command, a request, an eternity, or a desire is called an Imperative Sentence.
Example:
i. Command: Go there.
ii. Request: Please help me.
iii. Eternity:Help me, O God.
iv. Desire: May God bless you
4. Exclamatory Sentence
A sentence that expresses some strong or sudden feeling is called an Exclamatory Sentence. An exclamation mark (!) is placed at the end of every Exclamatory Sentence.
Example: How nice!
Hurrah! We have won.
MAJOR AND MINOR SENTENCES
A major sentence is a regular sentence; it has a subject and a predicate. For example I have a ball. In this sentence one can change the person: We have a ball. However, a minor sentence is an irregular type of sentence. It does not contain a finite verb. For example, “Mary!” “Yes.” “Coffee.” etc. Other examples of minor sentences are headings (e.g. the heading of this entry), stereotyped expressions (Hello!), emotional expressions (Wow!), proverbs, etc.
Examples:
I have a ball.
Coffee.
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SENTENCES
Any sentence that has no, not or any other negative word is a Negative Sentence
Examples:
He is a good boy./ He is not a good boy.
She has a toy./She has no toy.