A sentence is a unit of grammar. Typically, in writing, it begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.
There are three types of sentence structures: simple, compound and complex.
Simple sentences have only one main clause:
We’re going on holiday tomorrow. (one main clause)
I’m not keen on musicals.
Compound sentences have two or more main clauses, joined by a coordinating conjunction:
I phoned her but she wasn’t there.
Are you coming or are you staying at home or will you go and see Mum?
Complex sentences have a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses, introduced by a subordinating conjunction (The main clause is in bold; the subordinate clause is underlined.):
You can call me if you have any problems.
I got up earlier than usual because I had to get the 6.30 train.
Although it hurt when she bent her wrist, she could still move her fingers.
There are four main types of clause or sentence.
(s = subject; v = verb; aux = auxiliary verb; x = objects, complements or adjuncts)
Declarative (statements) |
|
Interrogative (questions) |
|
Imperative (orders, instructions) |
|
Exclamative (expressing strong opinion or surprise) |
|
