Sentences

Sentences

Traditional grammar defines a sentence in one of two ways.

1.      By meaning : according to this definition, a sentence is a complete thought. Such a definition is inadequate, however, because of the vagueness of the term complete thought. By seeing or hearing a statement.

2.      By function. According to this definition, a sentence consists of a subject and a predicate. This definition is more satisfactory because it is actually possible to indentify the structural functions of subject and predicate in a sentence.

The definition we should like to offer here includes both functional and formal characteristics of a sentence. A sentence is a full predication containing a subject plus a predicate with a finite verb. Its arrangement may be symbolized by such formulas as S- V- O, N₁- V- N_2, or NP + VP.

Classification of sentences

Sentences are generally classified in two ways, one by types and one by the number of formal predications.

a.      Classification of sentences by types

Ø  Declarative sentences ( Statements )

In a declrarative sentence the subject and predicate have anormal word order. The sentence ends with a period in writing and a drop in pitch in speech. Example : fahrudin studies english (v)

                                  Fahrudin is a chairman (n)

Ø  Interrogative sentences ( Questions )

In an interrogative sentence the subject and auxiliary are often reversed. The sentence ends with a question mark ( or, interrogation point ) in writing.

In the spoken languange, most yes – no questions end with a rise in pitch, most interrogative word questions end with a fall in pitch. ( further information about questions may be found in the chapter on verbs).

Example : did the child eat his dinner?

                   Is Fahrudin swimming in the river?

Ø  Imperrative Sentences ( Commands, Requests )

In an imperrative sentence, only the predicate is expressed. The simple form of the verb is used. Regardless of person or tense. The imperrative sentence ends with period in writing and a drop in pitch in speech. ( the chapter on verbs has more detailed information about imperative sentences ).

Example : Eat your dinner.

                  Be caraful                                  command

                  Be patient

                                Don’t worry

     Don’t be sleepy                        prohibition

     Don’t smile

Ø  Exclamatory Sentences ( Exclamations )

Exclamation is the sentence that used to express an amezement.

Example : How cute Ulin is !   => ( how + adj/adv + s + v )

    

     What a pity boy Indra is !  = > ( what + n p + s + v )

b.      Classification of sentences by number of full predications

This classification is besed on the number and kind of clauses within a sentence. A clause may be definedin the same way as  a sentence. It is a full predication that contains a subject and a predicate eith a finite verb. There are two kinds of clauses, independent and dependent.

a)      Simple sentences

Such sentences have only one full predication in the form of an independent clause.

Example : the man stole the jewelry

b)      Compound sentences

Such sentences have two or more full predications in the form of iindependent clauses.

Example : the man stole the jewelry and he hid in his home

c)      Complex centenses

Such sentences also have two or more full predications. One of these is an independent clause that is similar to the form of the semple sentence, and one or more of these are dependent clauses.

Example : the man who stole jewelryhid it in his home.

d)      Com;pound –complex sentences

Compound-complex sentences contain two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

Example : the man stole the jewelry and he hid it in his home until he could safely get out of town.