In simple terms, a sentence is a set of words that contain:
- a subject (what the sentence is about, the topic of the sentence), and
- a predicate (what is said about the subject)
Look at this simple example:
| sentence | ||
|---|---|---|
| subject | predicate | |
| verb | ||
| You | speak | English. |
The above example sentence is very short. Of course, a sentence can be longer and more complicated, but basically there is always a subject and a predicate. Look at this longer example:
| sentence | ||
|---|---|---|
| subject | predicate | |
| verb | ||
| Ram and Tara | speak | English when they are working. |
Note that the predicate always contains a verb. Sometimes, in fact, the predicate is only a verb:
| sentence | ||
|---|---|---|
| subject | predicate | |
| verb | ||
| Smoke | rises. | |
So we can say that a sentence must contain at least a subject and verb.
There is one apparent exception to this – the imperative. When someone gives a command (the imperative), they usually do not use a subject. They don't say the subject because it is obvious - the subject is YOU! Look at these examples of the imperative, with and without a subject:
| sentence | ||
|---|---|---|
| subject | predicate | |
| verb | ||
| Stop! | ||
| Wait | a minute! | |
| You | look! | |
| Everybody | look! | |
Note that a sentence expresses a complete thought. Here are some examples of complete and incomplete thoughts:
| complete thought? | ||
|---|---|---|
| sentence | He opened the door. | YES |
| Come in, please. | ||
| Do you like coffee? | ||
| not a sentence | people who work hard | NO |
| a fast-moving animal with big ears |
Note also that a sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop (AmE period) or a question mark or an exclamation mark (AmE exclamation point). Look at these examples:
- People need food.
- How are you?
- Look out!
Actually, it is not easy to define a sentence. Grammarians do not all agree on what is or is not a sentence. For the purposes of introduction, this page describes rather simple sentences. Of course, sentences can be much longer and more complex, and these will be covered on other pages.
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