The Sentence Structure
This is a series of lessons that we will cover in learning the English language.
This is Lesson 1 of our Basic English Series.
The most important part of any language is the composition of a sentence. If a sentence is properly structured, the message it contains will be delivered the way the sender wants it. So in this lesson-and in the succeeding, we will discuss about how a message is sent in the English Language.
We will start with the sentence structure.
- What is a sentence?
A sentence is a word, or group of words, that expresses a complete thought. - What are the two main parts of a sentence?
A sentence must contain a subject and a predicate to express a complete thought. - What is a sentence fragment?
A sentence fragment is not a complete sentence. It lacks either the subject or the predicate, or even both the subject and predicate. - What are the different kinds or structures of a sentence?
- Declarative sentence – A sentence that makes a simple statement.
- Examples:
- The baby is sleeping.
- This is a website.
- America was discovered by Columbus.
- Interrogative sentence – A sentence that asks a question. It ends with a question mark (?). In interrogative sentences, the predicate or part of the predicate usually comes before the subject.
- Examples:
- What is your name?
- Where is your home?
- Why are you here?
- Imperative sentence – A sentence that asks, requests, or commands someone to do something. It ends either with a period (.) or an exclamation point (!). In an imperative sentence, the subject is usually left out and is understood to be ‘you’ (the receiver).
- Examples:
- Finish your work, now! (You finish your work now!)
- Run! (You run!)
- Please bring your devices tomorrow. (Will you please bring your devices tomorrow!)
- Exclamatory sentence – A sentence that conveys a strong feeling or sudden emotion. It ends with an exclamation point.
- Examples:
- You’re awesome!
- That’s amazing!
- He is the thief!
We have discussed in this lesson the four primary kinds of structures of sentences commonly used in conveying our thoughts to others in the English Language.
In this series, we have rules to explain and associate with the different topics we will discuss and lessons that we will cover. We call these English Language Grammar Rules or ELGR. Here is the first one.
ELGR1: For a sentence to express a complete thought, it must have a subject and a predicate.
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