Structure of an English Sentence

Introduction to Sentence

The syntax of any language, i.e. the sentence structure, is one of the most important features of its formal aspect. Each sentence has has its own role and function, nuances and implications. A Sentence can be termed as “A group of words that come together to convey an idea, event or description.” The sentence boundaries are easily recognized by the capital letter in the beginning and a punctuation mark (period/ full stop, exclamation mark or question mark).

Elements of a Sentence

There are basically eight parts of speech.

Sr. No.	Part of Speech	Description	Example
1	Noun	A word used to name a thing, place, person, quality, or action.	Girl, James, Canada, flowers
2	Verb	An word used to tell about the action of the subject.	Sing, Play, Writing
3	Pronoun	A word used in place of a noun	He , she, it they, we
4	Adverb	A word that modifies a verb	Quickly, lately, apparently
5	Adjective	A word that modifies a noun	Beautiful, red, huge, tiny
6	Conjunction	A word used to conjoin sentences or parts of sentences	And, or, but, while, because,
7	Preposition	A word used to show the relativity	On, after, beside, down
8	Interjection	A word used to show strong feelings	Ah! Oh! Alas! Bravo! Hurray!

Types of Sentences

There are five types of sentences.

• Declarative Sentence: Where you simply state any fact or say something.

As in: The baby is hungry.

Declarative sentences can be further classified into Affirmative Declarative Sentences and Negative Declarative Sentences.

• Interrogative Sentence: Where you interrogate or put up a question.

As in: Is the baby hungry?

• Exclamatory Sentence: Where you express sudden and intense feelings of your heart.

As in : Ah! Poor lady.

• Imperative Sentence: Where you make a wish, an order, a command or give direction.

As in: Please shut the door.

• Conditional Sentence: Where you denote dependencies or conditions.

As in: If it rains, I will not go.

The Four Kinds of Structures in English Writings

1) Simple Sentence: composed of a single independent clause and no dependent clauses.

As: Yesterday we went for shopping.

2) Compound Sentence: composed of two or more independent clauses which may be connected by a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon alone, or a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb.

As: I like apples but my sister likes grapes.

3) Complex Sentence: composed of one independent clause (the main clause) and one or more dependent clauses. The independent clause is in bold.

As: While I was going to the market, I suddenly met my one of my old childhood friends.

4) Complex Compound Sentence: composed of combining a compound sentence with a complex sentence. i.e. by two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. The independent clause is in bold.

As: While I was going to the market, I suddenly met my one of my old childhood friends, and we together went for watching a new movie at theater nearby.