Scribd
Upload
9 views6 pages

Lecture Notes

Uploaded by

fatimaumarkt2006
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
9 views6 pages

Lecture Notes

Uploaded by

fatimaumarkt2006
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Sentence and its Types

The meaning of an English sentence depends on the word order.

· The basic order of a sentence that is not a question or a command is usually


SVO. Where S- stands for subject, V- stands for verb and O- stands for object.
For example:

S V O

The boy killed the Snake

· Adverbials usually come after the verb or after the object, for example.

The man arrived very late. (After the verb)

The boy killed the snake with a stick. (After the object)

· We may put the time reference at the beginning or at the end of a sentence, for
example.

Last week, I traveled to Kano.

I Travelled to Kano last week.

· We must begin a sentence with a capital letter and end it with a full stop, a
question mark or exclamation mark.

Types of Sentences

Generally, sentences are classified according to their structure or the function they
perform.

Types of Sentences According to the Structure

Under this classification, we have the following types of sentences: simple, compound,
complex and compound-complex.

1. The Simple Sentence

This contains one main clause and consists of one subject and one predicate. The
simple sentence expresses one independent idea, for example.

a. I ate food.

b. I am happy.

2. The Compound Sentence

This contains two or more main clauses which are joined by either coordinating or
correlating conjunctions such as; and, but, yet, or, and then, so, for, either-or, neither-nor,
not only –but also, etc.

a. He read and torn the letter.

b. He washed the car and then polished it.

c. I couldn’t meet the man so I left a message for him.

d. We rarely stay in hotels, for we can’t afford it.

e. Neither the students nor the teacher is in the class.

3. The Complex Sentence

We can join two or more simple sentences to make a complex sentence. In a complex
sentence, there is one main idea and one or more subordinate ideas. Conjunctions used
in joining a complex sentence include; because, after, since, when, although, before etc.

a. The alarm was raised after the fire was discovered.

b. I left the home before you arrived.


c. The students were making noise when the lecturer entered the class.

4. The Compound-complex Sentence

This sentence is made up of at least two main clauses and one or more subordinate
clauses.

a. I washed and ironed the clothes before you arrived.

b. You must attend lecturers and study hard if you want to pass your exams.

Types of Sentences According to the Function

Under this classification, we have the following types of sentences; statement,


question, command `and exclamatory.

1. Statement or Declarative Sentence

This sentence expresses a fact or gives information. A statement sentences ends with
a full stop, for example.

a. I am happy.

b. I am a student here.

2. Question or Interrogative Sentence

This type of sentence asks for information. It ends with a question mark for example.

a. Are you happy?

b. Are you a student?

3. Command or Imperative Sentence

This type of sentence tells or orders someone to do something. It usually ends with a
full stop, and its purpose is to give a command or make a request, for example.

a. Close that door.

b. Please help me with some money.

4. Exclamatory Sentence

This type of sentence expresses a strong feeling. It may make a statement or give a
strong command. It ends with an exclamation mark, for example.

a. What a lucky chance!

b. Watch out!

Non-Sentence and Incomplete Sentence

When we speak we often say things like: alright! No entry. Good heavens!, these are
complete units of meaning but they are not sentences.

1. Fragment sentence

Fragment sentence lacks one of the basic parts or aspects (subject or predicate).
Sentence may confuse your reader, because like a complete sentence it begins with a
capital letter and ends with a full stop. For example:

a. Asked them what they wanted.

b. When the bus broke down.

c. Parting with the loved one.

d. The team from Kano.

2. Run-on Sentence
A run-on sentence seems to continue on without coming to a stop. A run-on sentence
has too many ideas in it, for example.

a. I love plantain my mother prepares it.

b. The elections were held the results soon came out.

c. We should be ready to work hard success depends on it.

d. There is a lack of food not enough people are farming.

You might also like