The Sentence
Language is an important tool for communication. We use language to talk
about people and things by using different words in a variety of ways to make
statements, to asks questions, to give orders and to express our feelings. The words
we choose are arranged into groups either around a Noun (Noun Groups) or around
a Verb Verb Groups). Noun Groups tell us which people or things are being talked
about. Verb Groups tell us what is being talked about them.
In this section on Grammar, after the introductory chapters, we shall take up
Noun groups and Verb Groups.
The Sentence
No reference to the sentence is possible without some understanding of the
terms : finite verb, phrase, clause and sentence.
AFinite Verb must normally have :
(a) ASubject which may be hidden
He arrived. I sing. We learn.
Open the window. (i.e. You open the window.)
(b) A Tense e.g.,
He cane. She will come. They have come.
Infinite Verbs like to write, writing, written, having written, etc. do not take a
subject and they cannot be used in all tenses.
Phrase may
APhrase is a group of words which can be part of a Sentence. A
take the form of :
(a) a Noun Phrase, e.g.,
Abox of matches.
(b) an Adjective Phrase, e.g.,
A girl with long hair.
(e) an Adverbial Phrase, e.g.,
Acrass the ruer
A Clause is a group of words consisting of a Subject + Finite verb.
a part of a Sentence
It is along lane that has ne turning
Please wait till I eonie.
ASentence is a group of words which makes complete sense; as,
Prevention is better than cure.
Kinds of Sentences
A sentence can take any one of the four forms :
stateient : No man is an island
question : Who would not love his own country ?
COmmand Open the window.
erelamation How sweet are the uses of adversity !
Statements
Sentences which state facts, describe things or report events arecalled Statemen:
They are also called Assertive or Declarative Sentences.
1. There was heavy rain yesterday.
2. Slow and steady wins the race.
3. Do not keep any grudge.
4. You must never waste your time.
All these four sentences make statements. The first two make Affirmat
Statements. The last two sentences state things in a negative way by using such
When affirmative
words as not, no, never, etc. They are called Negative Statements.
no, not
statements are changed to negative statements by adding such words as
of what is stated in the
never, etc. the negative sentences mean the opposite
affirmative sentences; as
We are innocent. (affirmative)
We are not innocent. (negative)
Interchange of Affirmative and Negative Sentences
sentences with certain
A. Affirmative sentences can be changed into negative
modifications without any change in the meaning
Affirmative: I was doubtful whether it was you.
Negative : I was not sure whether it was you.
Affirmative: You are richer than I.
Negative :Iam not so rich as you.
Compositlon
10
Applied English Grammar and
Afirmat1te: She tried all plans.
Negaty :She left no pian untried.
Airmatite: A few farmers saved their erop.
Negotie Not all farmers saved their crop.
B. ANegative Sentenee can be changed into an Affirmative Sentence without
any change in the meaning :
Negatie : None but the brave deserve the fair.
Afirmatiue: The brave alone deserve the fair.
Negatiie : There was no one present who did not shed a tear.
Affirmatiue: Everyone who was present shed a tear
Negative : He did not spend many days in Mumbai.
Affirmatve: He spent a few days in Mumbai.
EXERCISE 1
Complete each of the following sentences as directed in such a way that it
means the same as the sentence preceding it :
1. Nobody will deny that he was innocent.
Begin : Everybody
2. Very few men would be cruel to a child.
Begin : Not many
3. He cares little about what she says.
Begin : He does not
4. I shall never forget you.
End
remember you
5. He did not spend many days in Patna.
End
a few days in Patna.
6. She is not always wise.
End foolish.
7. Rita is shorter than Beena.
Begin : Beena is not
8. Only a coward could commit such a
crime.
Begin : No one
The
