Startup Gurukul

Chapter-2: Types of sentences

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.

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