Lesson Outline:
Topic: What is a sentence?
Definition – a set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a
subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or
command, and consisting of a main clause and sometimes one or
more subordinate clauses.
Examples: Rham is kind.
The child is running.
The dog is biting the slippers.
Parts of Sentences: Sentences has two parts
The Subject - a person or thing that is being discussed,
described, or dealt with.
- It can be a noun or pronoun.
The Predicate- the part of a sentence or clause containing a
verb and stating something about the subject.
- It can be a word or group of words that describes the
subject.
4 types of sentences according to function
There are four kinds of sentences based on their function, such as making a
statement or asking a question. These kinds of sentences are usually distinguished
by their end of sentence punctuation, whether a period, question mark, or
exclamation mark. We discuss these kinds of sentences in detail below, but here’s
a short list:
declarative
interrogative
imperative
exclamatory
1 Declarative sentences
Declarative sentences are a good place to start because they’re the standard.
Essentially, a declarative sentence is a simple statement used to communicate a
fact, an opinion, an observation, or an explanation.
Declarative sentences always end in a period.
Declarative sentence examples
Bears don’t eat when they hibernate.
He didn’t like the movie as much as his partner did.
In my opinion, James Joyce’s Ulysses is too long.
2 Interrogative sentences
Questions are known formally as interrogative sentences. These sentences
request more information in the form of answers, usually to confirm something or
fill in missing information. Interrogative sentences can be tricky because they
sometimes require putting the verb before the subject or using an auxiliary
verb like do.
Interrogative sentences end with a question mark.
Interrogative sentence examples
What is your next class?
Did you see the fireworks last night?
We’re going in the right direction, aren’t we?
3 Imperative sentences
Imperative sentences are commands, instructions, or advice you give to others to
tell them what to do. In imperative sentences, the subject is often assumed. It’s
usually obvious that the subject is whomever the sentence is directed at, so the
subject can be dropped and the reader can assume the missing subject is you.
Imperative sentences usually end in a period, but they can also use an
exclamation point if they’re emphatic.
Imperative sentence examples
Sweep the floor before you mop it.
Please type these notes and then email me a copy.
Don’t hang up!
4 Exclamatory sentences
Usually, exclamatory sentences behave just like declarative sentences, except with
more emotion or urgency. Exclamatory sentences also include interjections like
“Ouch!” or “Yippee!” to convey sudden emotion.
We show this extra emotion with an exclamation mark, also known as an
exclamation point, at the end of the sentence. Consider the difference between
these two sentences:
I ate a snail.
I ate a snail!
The first is a bland statement, communicating a fact. The second has an emotional
connotation as if the speaker is shocked, proud, or disgusted—emotions that
don’t exist in the first sentence.
Exclamatory sentence examples
Myra had the baby!
Thanks! You saved our wedding!
Yikes! That’s a giant spider!
Assessment:
Identify the subject and predicate in each sentence.
1. The boys are running.
2. The cat is walking in the street.
3. The rat is running away from the cat.
4. Alma loves to cook.
5. Mary is kind.
Identify whether it is Declarative , Interrogative, Exclamatory and Imperative
type of sentences.
1. What is your name?
2. Please close the door before you leave.
3. I love my family.
4. Oh my! What happened to you?
5. Where do you live?
Activity:
Write at least 2 sentences for each type of sentences and identify the subject and
predicate in each.
