English Sentence Basic Concept

 

Sentence

 

@. Sentence:

Sentence is a word or a group of words having a clear meaning in a given context.

 

According to meaning and structure, Sentence is eight types:

 

@. According to meaning:

 

1. Assertive (Declarative) 04. Optative
2. Interrogative 05. Exclamatory
3. Imperative

 

@. According to structure:

 

1. Simple Sentence
2. Complex Sentence
3. Compound Sentence
4. Compound-Complex Sentence.

 

@. Clause:

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a predicate.

 

@. Clause is two types:

 

1. Principal Clause (Independent or Main Clause)
2. Subordinate Clause (Dependent Clause)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some example of Assertive Sentence

 

• Honesty is the best policy.
• The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
• Nur never wastes time in gossiping.

4. He never speaks ill of others.
5. I want to go to the United State of America.

 

 

Some example of Interrogative Sentence

 

6. Have any doubt about it?

• Are you going to pray in Johor?

8. Have you finished your home work?
9. Was the boy present in the class?
10. Can a dead man come back to life?
11. Could he work out the sum?
12. Could you go to the station last night?
13. Who is that man?
14. Whose book is this?
15. Whom do you want?
16. Where did you put the book?

• How far the news true?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some example of Imperative Sentence

 

18. Please lend me your math book

• Kindly come here tomorrow.

20. Give me your note register and sentence book.
21. Let us go out for a walk.
22. Let him die in peace.
23. Let me go to university today.
24. Let your brother wait an hour.
25. Let bygones be bygones.

 

 

Some example of Optative Sentence

 

26. May you will be happy.
27. May Allah bless you.
28. May our country prosper.
29. May he live in peace and comfort.
30. May you prosper in the world.

 

Some example of Exclamatory Sentence

 

31. Hurrah! We have understood our all sum.
32. How funny is it.
33. Alas! the man is no more.
34. Oh! What a nice view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some example of Simple Complex and Compound Sentence

 

No	Simple	Complex	Compound
01	By going there, I will phone you.	When Igo there, I will phone you.	I willgo there and I will phone you.
02	Because of working hard, he became successful.	As/Since he worked hard, he became successful.	He worked hard and he became successful.
03	In spite of being naughty, he is brilliant.	Though he is naughty, he is brilliant.	He is naughty but he is brilliant.
04	Without taking exercise, you cannot be healthy.	If you do not take exercise, you cannot be healthy.	Take exercise or/ otherwise you cannot be healthy.
05	Having eaten rice, I went to college.	I had eaten rice then I went to college.	I had eaten rice and I went to college.
06	The function being over, they left the hotel.	When the function was over, they left the hotel.	The function was over and  they left the hotel.
07	Being poor, he could not buy a car.	As/Since he was poor, he could not buy a car.	He was poor and he could not buy a car.
08	He is too sick to walk.	He is so sick that he cannot walk.	He is very sick and he cannot walk.
09	Jakaria is both a student and a social worker.	Jakaria, who is a student, is also a social worker.	Jakaria is not only a student but also he is a social worker.
10	The pond in front of our university is large.	The pond, which is in front of our university, is large.	The pond is in front of our university and it is large.
11	Jakaria came to the life of Nur at the time of winter morning.	When Jakaria came to the life of Nur, it was winter morning.	Jakaria came to the life of Nur and it was winter morning.
12	He studies hard to cut a good result.	He studies hard so that he can cut a good result.	He studies hard and thus he can cut a good result.
13	Jakaria and Yasin are close friends.	Jakaria and Yasin are friends, who are close.	Jakaria and Yasin are friends and they are close.
14	Doing the work, I will talk to you.	I will do the work then I will talk to you.	I will do the work and I will talk to you.
15	After going to university, I saw the teacher.	When I went to university, I saw the teacher.	I went to university and I saw the teacher.
16	Because of being modest, he gets homage from everybody.	As/Since he is modest, he gets homage from everybody.	He is modest and he gets homage from everybody.
17	Because of having much money, I bought a car.	As/Since I had much money, I bought a car.	I had much money and I bought a car.
18	In spite of trying heart and soul, he could not pass the examination.	Though he tried heart and soul, he could not pass the examination.	He tried heart and soul but he could not pass the examination.
19	In spite of having vast riches, he wants more.	He has vast riches but he wants more.	Though he has vast riches, he wants more.
20	Without working hard, you cannot thrive in life.	If you do not work hard,you cannot thrive in life.	Work hard or/otherwise you cannot thrive in life.

 

 

Sentence Practice

 

1. Choose the simple sentence.

 

1. My oldest daughter may study forensic science in Vancouver, or she may study biology in Victoria.
2. My daughter may go to Vancouver to study forensic science or stay in Victoria to study bio-genetics.

iii.     My daughter must decide whether she wishes to study forensic science in Vancouver before the May enrollment deadline.

1. Becausethe weather last Friday was so nice.
2. My daughter may go to Vancouver to study forensic science or stay in Victoria to study bio-genetics.

 

2. Choose the compound sentence.

 

1. The neighbors invited us to come inside and asked us to make ourselves comfortable.
2. After the neighbors had invited us to come inside, they asked us to make ourselves comfortable.

iii.     The Smith family has a recreational vehicle and they use it every summer.

1. The neighbors invited us to come inside, and they asked us to make ourselves comfortable.
2. The neighbors invited us to come inside, and they asked us to make ourselves comfortable.

 

3. Choose the sentence which contains no errors.

 

1. Looking around at the mess, we realized the room had not been cleaned in a long time.
2. The service was slow, and my dinner was not even warm when it finally arrived, but I complained to the server.

iii.     Not many people want to work with him, because he is so unfriendly.

1. Because the house needed a lot of work we decided not to buy it.
2. Looking around at the mess, we realized the room had not been cleaned in a long time.

 

4. Choose the simple sentence.

 

1. Catherine may live with her parents during her first year at university, or she may share an apartment with a friend.
2. When Catherine is a first-year student, she may live with her parents.

iii. Catherine may live with her parents during her first year at university

or share an apartment with a friend.

1. When Catherine is a first-year student.

 

iii. Catherine may live with her parents during her first year

at university or share an apartment with a friend.

 

5. Choose the correct sentence.

 

1. My brother’s favorite sport is baseball, he also enjoys playing basketball.
2. Because my brother wanted so much to play on the school basketball team.

iii. My brother, who practices basketball each day.

1. My brother practices basketball each day because he hopes to become

a member of the school team.

 

1. My brother practices basketball each day because he hopes

tobecome a member of the school team.

 

6. Choose the compound sentence.

 

1. Nelson Mandela spent many years in prison before he became the leader of South Africa.
2. Nelson Mandela spent many years in jail, but eventually he became the leader of South Africa.

iii.     Nelson Mandela spent many years in prison but eventually became the leader of South Africa.

1. Many people around the world were stunned to hear of Nelson Mandela’s death.

 

1. Nelson Mandela spent many years in jail, but eventually he became the leader of South Africa.

 

 

 

 

7. Choose the sentence which contains no errors.

 

1. Knowing that the heavy rain, which had already lasted for several hours, was not likely to stop soon.
2. The company will be renovated during the next several weeks, it will remain open for business as usual.

iii.     Anyone with knowledge of the car accident yesterday afternoon at the corner of McKenzie and Shelbourne is asked to contact the police.

1. During the next several weeks, while remaining open for business as usual.

 

iii. Anyone with knowledge of the car accident yesterday afternoon at the corner of McKenzie and Shelbourne is asked to contact the police.

 

8. Choose the sentence which contains no errors.

 

1. The coach was critical of the team’s performance during the last game and encouraged everyone to do better in the next.
2. If you have any problems with either our merchandise and our sales staff, we ask you to report the matter to the management.

iii.     For example, police officers who regularly deal with all manner of life-threatening situations.

1. Because the coach encouraged everyone on the team to practice harder and play better.

 

1. The coach was critical of the team’s performance during the last game and encouraged everyone to do better in the next.

 

9. Choose the sentence which contains no errors.

 

1. Please don’t say anything to Karen about the party, I want to tell her myself.
2. As Jim sat in the dentist chair nervously awaiting the dentist’s return.

iii. The bracelet which Sandra is wearing was a gift from her grandmother.

1. The television was too loud, and I turned the volume down.

iii. The bracelet which Sandra is wearing was a gift from her grandmother.

 

 

10. Choose the simple sentence.

 

1. Although Mary is a fairly easygoing person, she takes her responsibilities with the company seriously.
2. Mary is a fairly easygoing person, but she takes her responsibilities with the company seriously.

iii.     Mary, who is fairly easygoing, takes her responsibilities with the company seriously.

1. Mary is a fairly easygoing person but takes her responsibilities with the company seriously.
2. Mary is a fairly easygoing person but takes her responsibilities with the company seriously.

 

11. Choose the simple sentence.

 

1. I allowed myself the luxury of a long, hot bath.
2. Janet had more experience than any of the other job applicants, so she was hired by the company.

iii.     When I returned home tired and wet from walking in the rain, I took a long, hot bath.

• Feeling tired and wet from walking so long in the rain.

 

1. I allowed myself the luxury of a long, hot bath.

 

12. Choose the sentence which contains no errors.

 

1. Dogs, which are loyal companions and also provide valuable service to police and rescue organizations.
2. Dogs are not just loyal companions; they also provide valuable service to police and rescue organizations.

iii.     The sales clerk wouldn’t take no for an answer, he kept trying to sell us the sofa.

1. Because it was already dark when I arrived home.

 

1. Dogs are not just loyal companions; they also provide valuable service to police and rescue organizations.

 

 

 

13. Which of the following sentences is correct?

 

1. Having received the contract and studied it thoroughly.
2. The little girl was nervous, but she held her mother’s hand tightly.

iii.     Because he is not very friendly and not many people want to work with him.

1. This email confirms that we have received your order and will ship it to you as soon as the payment details have been verified.

 

1. This email confirms that we have received your order and will ship it to you as soon as the payment details have been verified.

 

14. Choose the sentence which is correct.

 

1. Because the rain had continued for several hours, resulting in very poor driving conditions.
2. If you have any questions or concerns about your order, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department.

iii.     Many books have been written about the fabled lost city of Atlantis, so I don’t believe it ever existed.

1. Because neither of them had any other plans for the rest of the day and the amusement park looked like fun.

 

1. If you have any questions or concerns about your order, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department.

 

15. Choose the one sentence which is correct.

 

1. We have plans to open a branch office elsewhere, so this will remain the headquarters for the company.
2. Most of the people at the stockholders meeting being aware of the company’s current financial dilemma.

iii.     Because my neighbor’s party lasted until 2:00 in the morning I didn’t get much sleep last night.

1. The professor was pleased when so many of his students did well on the final exam.
2. The professor was pleased when so many of his students did well on the final exam.

­

16. Choose the correct sentence.

 

1. Because the restaurant was very crowded and we did not want to wait a long time for a table, we decided to try somewhere else.
2. When you have a problem with a roommate, you can talk to him about it, and you can say nothing.

iii.     Not knowing how expensive a university education can be, no matter what the major field of study may be.

1. After we finish processing your order and ship it directly to your home.

 

1. Because the restaurant was very crowded and we did not want to wait a long time for a table, we decided to try somewhere else.

 

17. Chose the one sentence which is a simple sentence.

 

1. My wife and I go to a ski resort every winter, and we always stay at least three or four days.
2. My wife and I go to a ski resort every winter and always stay at least three or four days.

iii.     When my wife and I go to a winter ski resort, we always stay at least three or four days.

1. My wife and I go to a ski resort every winter and always stay at least three or four days.

 

18. Choose the sentence which is correct.

 

1. Because I couldn’t go back to sleep, so I decided to get up and make breakfast for everyone.
2. Having studied the travel brochures we had been given and considering the costs of several vacation packages.

iii. When it began to snow heavily, we looked for a hotel in which to stay the night.

 

iii. When it began to snow heavily, we looked for a hotel in which to stay the night.

 

 

 

19. Choose the sentence which is a compound sentence.

 

1. Last winter, my wife and I were going to go to Hawaii, but changed our minds.
2. Last winter, my wife and I were going to go to Hawaii, but we changed our minds.

iii.     Last year, after my wife and I decided to go to Hawaii, we changed our minds.

 

1. Last winter, my wife and I were going to go to Hawaii, but we changed our minds.

 

20. Choose the sentence which is correct.

 

1. Because jet lag occurs when people experience a change in hours of sleep-in addition to loss of sleep.
2. The teachers got all the children safely out of the school, because the fire alarm sounded.

iii.     We wish to thank you for your latest order, and we hope to do even more business with you in the future.

iii. We wish to thank you for your latest order, and we hope to do even more business with you in the future.

 

21. Choose the simple sentence.

 

1. This summer, my neighbors may go to New York or possibly visit Toronto.
2. This summer, my neighbors may go to Mexico, or they may decide to see Florida.

iii.     If my neighbors don’t visit New York this summer, they may visit Toronto.

1. This summer, my neighbors may go to New York or possibly visit Toronto.

 

 

 

22. Choose the sentence which is correct.

 

1. After Julie had finished reading her son his favorite bedtime story and kissed him good night.
2. I try to do my best in the class, so my test scores are not as high as I would like them to be.

iii.     Here at Cutting Edge Graphics, we take great pride in our company’s reputation for excellent customer service and satisfaction.

 

iii. Here at Cutting Edge Graphics, we take great pride in our company’s reputation for excellent customer service and satisfaction.

 

23. Choose the correct sentence.

 

1. Not only will you get free shipping, but if you order in the next thirty minutes, we will include a second set of kitchen knives at no extra cost.
2. Because it was getting late and everyone was tired after hiking for so many hours on such a hot day.

iii.     Formal academic writing adheres to stricter rules than informal writing, but it doesn’t contain slang expressions.

 

1. Not only will you get free shipping, but if you order in the next thirty minutes, we will include a second set of kitchen knives at no extra cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24. Choose the correct sentence.

 

1. All too often, young people rush into marriage, they don’t spend enough time getting to know each other.
2. The movie plot was too complicated for me to follow, but I turned it off and went to bed.

• Also, companies that do their part to help the environment by recycling waste by- products.

1. The thieves must have had considerable knowledge of art because they stole only the most expensive paintings.

 

1. The thieves must have had considerable knowledge of art because they stole only the most expensive paintings.

 

 

25. Choose the complex sentence.

 

1. Whenever it rains.
2. James Mathews, an eloquent speaker, is the president of the club.

iii.     While I am a passionate tennis fan, I prefer football.

1. The girl was carrying a basket on her head and walked towards the market.

 

iii.      While I am a passionate tennis fan, I prefer football.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26. Choose the sentence which contains no errors.

 

1. For example, police officers who regularly deal with all manner of life-threatening situations.

 

1. If you have any problems with either our merchandise and our sales staff, we askyou to report the matter to the management.

 

1. The coach was critical of the team’s performance during the last game andencouraged everyone to do better in the next.

 

1. Because the coach encouraged everyone on the team to practice harder and play better.

 

1. The coach was critical of the team’s performance during the last game and encouraged everyone to do better in the next.

 

 

 

27. Choose the complex sentence.

 

1. There is a little dirt on this plate and an ugly stain on the table cloth.

 

1. Though there are laws to punish the terrorists, they are not properly applied

 

1. We can get many new information by using it.

 

1. He came to a house and asked for something to eat.

 

1. Though there are laws to punish the terrorists, they are not properly applied

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28. Choose the sentence which contains no errors.

 

1. The teachers got all the children safely out of the school, because the fire alarmsounded.
2. Because it was getting late and everyone was tired after hiking for so many hourson such a hot day.
3. Formal academic writing adheres to stricter rules than informal writing, but it doesn’t contain slang expressions.

 

1. Not only will you get free shipping, but if you order in the next thirtyminutes, we will include a second set of kitchen knives at no extra cost.

 

1. Not only will you get free shipping, but if you order in the next thirtyminutes, we will include a second set of kitchen knives at no extra cost.

 

29. Choose the simple sentence.

 

1. The modern technology is surely a blessing but it has many dark sides.
2. Though the modern technology is a blessing, it has many dark sides.
3. Without a computer, we cannot imagine our modern life.
4. If you don’t use it, you cannot keep pace with the modern world.

 

1. Without a computer, we cannot imagine our modern life.

 

30. Choose the sentence which contains no errors.

 

1. Neither of the two letters of credit was useful when he needed it.

 

1. The baby showed a noticeable distaste for these kind of prepared baby food.

 

1. There will be no more supplies unless all arrears of payment were cleared bynext Monday.

 

1. They have been very close friends until they quarreled.

 

1. Neither of the two letters of credit was useful when he needed it.