SENTENCES
What Is a Sentence? – Meaning and Definition
A sentence is an array of multiple words arranged in a particular
order.
It has to be complete in itself and should convey meaning.
It can express a general idea, pose a question or argument, provide
a suggestion, make an order or request, and so much more.
Definition:
The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines a sentence as “a set of words
expressing a statement, a question or an order, usually containing a
subject and a verb”.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a sentence is defined as “a group
of words, usually containing a verb, that expresses a thought in the form
of a statement, question, instruction, or exclamation”.
Formation of Sentences in English
Let us look at the parts and components of a sentence and understand
further how sentences are formed.
Parts of a Sentence
The basic division of sentences is in terms of,
Subjects – A noun, noun phrase or pronoun that does the action
mentioned in the sentence. It mostly occurs at the beginning of the
sentence.
Predicates – The remaining part of the sentence. It begins with
the verb.
Here are a few examples.
Example 1: Daisy teaches English.
Subject – Daisy
Predicate – Teaches English
Example 2: Anitha called me yesterday.
Subject – Anitha
Predicate – Called me yesterday
Example 3: The girl wearing the yellow dress is my new neighbour.
Subject – The girl wearing the yellow dress
Predicate – Is my new neighbour
Types of Sentences – Purpose of Sentences
Based on Based on
Structure Purpose
Basic Parts and Components of a Sentence
Before we look into how sentence structure works, we will have to first
learn about the basic structure of a sentence and the components that
make up a sentence.
Components of a Sentence
There are five components that can make up a sentence. They are,
Subject – The doer of the action
Verb – The action in the sentence
Object – The receiver of the action
Complement -A word/phrase that modifies the subject or object in
the sentence
Adjunct – An adverb or an adverb clause that provides us with more
information about the verb, complement or another adjunct in the
sentence
Subject
A noun that performs the action in a sentence is considered as the
subject. It answers the question ‘who’ or in other words, a subject can be
identified by asking the question ‘who’..
For example:
The child kept crying.
Our school team won the match.
Verb
In every sentence the most important word can be said to be the verb. A
verb shows action or activity or work done by the subject. Most often,
verbs appear immediately after the subject.
For example:
Neena is writing a letter.
It was too dark.
Tarun’s dog ran away.
Object
An object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action done by the
subject. Objects are of two types and they are,
Direct Object
Indirect Object
Direct Object
A noun or pronoun that receives the action directly is the direct object in
the sentence. It answers the question ‘what’. Direct objects mostly appear
immediately after the verb and are the primary objects in the sentence.
For example:
Harry bought a new car.
We watched a movie.
Indirect Object
An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that is a secondary object. It can
be identified by asking the question ‘whom’. When there is an indirect
object in a sentence, it is mostly placed after the verb and before the
direct object.
For example:
Vandhana gave Keerthana a cake.
My mom bought me a new dress.
They gave us coffee with breakfast.
Complement
The words required to complete the meaning of a sentence can be
referred to as the complement of the sentence. A complement can be
an adjective, a name, a position or a profession.
For example:
It grew dark.
He is a dentist.
That’s her dog, Bruno.
Complements are further divided into two types based on which
component it speaks about. The two types of complement are,
Subject Complement
Object Complement
Subject Complement
The complement which expresses the quality or identity or condition of
the subject is called Subject Complement.
For example:
She is a doctor.
I am Sindhu.
Nandhu is clever.
The students are very excited.
My brother is a teacher.
Object Complement
The complement which expresses the quality or identity or condition of an
object is called Object Complement.
For example:
They made her angry.
The students elected Sreya the class leader.
They named their daughter, Thara.
Marley met her friend, Ryan.
Nobody found the movie interesting.
Adjunct
An adjunct is a word or a phrase that gives more information about an
action, an event, a quality and so on. Adjuncts can be identified by asking
questions ‘when’, ‘where’, ‘why’, ‘how’, ‘how often’ and ‘to what extent’.
Take a look at the following examples to understand how adjuncts can be
used.
Yesterday, we met at the park.
He is very tired.
Due to his ill-health, he could not come home for Christmas.
My father reads the newspaper everyday.
This workout routine is extremely exhausting.
Sentence by Pattern
The English language has seven basic sentence (or clause)
patterns. Examples are:
1. Birds / fly. (SV)*
2. Ben / played / cricket. (SVO)
3. Sandra / is / tall. (SVC)
4. The coach / gave / the team/ a present. (SVIODO)
5. Ricky / made / Jane / angry. (SVOC)
6. John / sat / up. (SVA)
7. She/ put / the bag / down. (SVOA)
The Different Types of Sentence Structures in English Grammar
In English grammar, there are a number of sentence structures that you
can use to make your speech or writing sound or look a lot more
organised, interesting and professional. Some of the commonly used
sentence structures are as follows.
Subject + Verb (SV)
Subject + Verb + Object (SVO)
Subject + Verb + Complement (SVC)
Subject + Verb + Adjunct (SVA)
Subject + Verb + Object + Complement (SVOC)
Subject + Verb + Object + Adjunct (SVOA)
Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object (SVIODO)
Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Complement (ASVC)
Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Object (ASVO)
Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
(ASVIODO)
Subject + Verb + Adjunct + Adjunct (SVAA)
Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Adjunct + Adjunct (ASVAA)
Examples of Sentence Structure
Looking at examples will help you understand how each sentence
structure works. So, here are a few examples for you.
SV
The stars / are shining.
Subject / Verb
The birds / are chirping.
Subject / Verb
It / is raining.
Subject / Verb
SVO
Children / love / ice creams.
Subject / Verb / Object
Noah / does not like / bitter gourd.
Subject / Verb / Object
I / have / a pencil.
Subject / Verb / Object
SVC
I / am / an Indian.
Subject + Verb + Complement
Carol / is / a nurse.
Subject + Verb + Complement
My name / is / Gina.
Subject + Verb + Complement
SVA
Madhu / reached / early.
Subject / Verb / Adjunct
All of us / are leaving / for Tokyo.
Subject / Verb / Adjunct
He / went / upstairs.
Subject / Verb / Adjunct
SVOC
We / lost / out cat, / Quinny.
Subject / Verb / Object / Complement
My friends / make / me / happy.
Subject / Verb / Object / Complement
Everyone / found / the book / controversial.
Subject / Verb / Object / Complement
SVOA
It / is / my birthday / next month.
Subject / Verb / Object / Adjunct
Lakshmi / reached / school / after 9 a.m.
Subject / Verb / Object / Adjunct
My brother / plays / football / everyday.
Subject / Verb / Object / Adjunct
SVIODO
The Board / offered / me / the job.
Subject / Verb / Indirect Object / Direct Object
Rohit / gave / Reshmi / his favourite book.
Subject / Verb / Indirect Object / Direct Object
Neetu / bought / herself / a hat.
Subject / Verb / Indirect Object / Direct Object
ASVC
Suddenly, / it / grew / dark.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Complement
Normally, / the weather / is / good.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Complement
Occassionally, / my dog / gets / restless.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Complement
ASVO
Last week, / we / celebrated / Holi.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Object
Usually, / we / get / a token.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Object
Every year, / we / visit / the orphanage.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Object
ASVIODO
Today, / the teacher / gave / us / our papers.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Indirect Object / Direct Object
Yesterday, / my mom / bought / me / a bicycle.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Indirect Object / Direct Object
Every time he comes home, / my brother / gets / my mom / her
favourite chocolates.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Indirect Object / Direct Object
SVAA
They / go / to work / by bus.
Subject / Verb / Adjunct / Adjunct
We / meet / every evening / on the way back home.
Subject / Verb / Adjunct / Adjunct
Jancy / went / to the grocery store / last Saturday.
Subject / Verb / Adjunct / Adjunct
ASVAA
Normally, / my parents / come / by bus / to Pondicherry.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Adjunct / Adjunct
Last year, / my friends and I / went / to Meghalaya / for a month.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Adjunct / Adjunct
Usually, / Finn’s parents / would come / to the airport / as soon as
his flight lands.
Adjunct / Subject / Verb / Adjunct / Adjunct
KINDS OF SENTENCES
Phrases and Clauses
Sentence patterns are made up of phrases and clauses.
In order to understand Simple, Compound and Complex sentences, it is
important to learn Clauses.
A clause is a part of a sentence with a subject and verb. It can also be a
group of words. In the sentence 'After we finished school, we went home',
there are two clauses. The first one being 'After we finished School' and
the second one was 'We went home'. In both, there is a subject we and
verbs finished and went.
There are two types of clauses:
Independent clause/Main clause - This clause can stand on its own
and still make meaning. 'We went home' is an independent clause
as it gives meaning on its own.
Dependent clause/subordinate clause - This is a clause that cannot
exist on its own and give meaning. It can only add meaning to the
independent clause next to it. 'After we finished school' is a
dependent clause
A phrase is a group of connected words, but it is not a complete
sentence because it is missing a subject and/or a verb. Phrases are
just one component that makes up a complete sentence.
Kinds of Sentences
Simple Sentence: (Single Clause)
A sentence that consists of only one subject and one finite verb is called a
Simple Sentence.
It consists of one Subject and one Verb.
It expresses a complete thought.
It is also called an Independent Clause.
Examples:
She is a teacher.
We are learning English Grammar.
The children are playing cricket.
Arjun and Aravind are attending the meeting.
Compound Sentence: (Two Main Clauses)
A sentence that consists of two main or Independent Clauses is called a
Compound Sentence.
It consists of two Main or Independent Clauses.
A comma (sometimes semicolon) is used before the conjunction.
Coordinating Conjunctions are used to join these clauses.
Coordinating Conjunctions: They join together words, phrases, or
clauses of equal rank.
They are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so(known as FANBOYS), however,
otherwise, still, therefore, nevertheless, either…or, neither….nor, both…
and, not only …. but also, as well as, etc.,
Examples:
He worked hard, but could not succeed.
She helped him several times, yet he was not happy.
He bought a pen, and it was very nice.
He must work hard, or he will not win the match.
Complex Sentence: (With Subordinate Clause)
A sentence that has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses
is called a complex sentence.
It consists of one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
Subordinating Conjunctions (sometimes relative pronouns) are used to
join these clauses.
If the sentence begins with a Subordinate Clause, a comma is used after
this clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions: They join a clause to another on which it
depends for its full meaning.
TIME CAUSE & EFFECT OPPOSITION CONDITION
after because although if
before since though unless
when now that even though only if
while as whereas whether or not
since in order that while even if
until so in case (that)
RELATIVE PRONOUNS:
who whoever that
whom whomever
which whichever
Examples:
Though he worked hard, he failed in the exam.
When I went in, I found her watching TV.
He bought a pen which was very nice.
Unless you work hard, you will not win the match.
As I performed well in the interview, they selected me for the job.
Note: Very important to observe the punctuation patterns:
When we reached the ground, they had already started playing.
They had already started playing when we reached the ground.
Sravani, who spoke to me yesterday, has come to see you now.
The student who got the first rank in the I Unit Test failed in all the
subjects in the II Unit Test.
Simple Compou Complex Example
nd
In spite of / But Though/ Although In spite of being rich, he was
Despite humble (Simple)
He was rich, but he was humble
(Compound)
Although he was rich, he was
humble (Complex)
Verb + ing And When/As/Since Entering the room, I saw my
brother sleeping (Simple)
I entered the room, and I found
my brother sleeping
(Compound)
When I entered the room, I
found my brother
sleeping( Complex)
Due to/ On And/ So Because I took off due to sickness
account of (Simple)
I was sick and went off
(Compound)
I took off because I was
sick (Complex)
By +Verb And If By studying well, I will pass the
+ing exam (Simple)
I will study well and pass the
exam (Compound)
If I study well, I will pass the
exam (Complex)
Having + And When+ Subject Having completed her degree,
Verb +Had+ Verb she took a job (Simple)
She completed the degree, and
she took the job (Compound)
She took a job when she
completed the degree
(Complex)
Sentence Ordering
1. Spotting the opening sentence:
Firstly, to arrange the jumbled sentences the need is to identify
the opening sentence.
2. Identify the closing sentence:
Secondly, you need to figure out the closing sentence of the
passage.
3. Spotting the transition words or the linking words:
These words are basically the ones that make the movement or
shift from one sentence to another smoother and without a
break.
4. Identifying the pronoun antecedents:
The last step is to spot the pronouns used in the sentence. To understand
the concept of pronouns, read the given bifurcation that is done in three
parts:
a. Relative pronoun: Which consists of words like who, whom, whose,
which.
b. Demonstrative pronoun: It mainly consists of words like this, that,
these, those.
c. Personal pronoun: Personal pronoun consists of words like he, she,
him, her, you, they, it.
Once you identify the opening, closing sentences, the pronouns
and transitory words, it becomes easy for you to ideally connect
the sentences and create a passage.
Question 1.
Arrange the below-mentioned sentences coherently:
A. Hence the morning time is best for a workout.
B. The morning workout, is more beneficial, as our body has already taken
full rest for the whole night.
C. Throughout the day the body is involved in some or the other physical
activity.
D. People often ask why morning workout sessions are the best.
E. That’s why the entire body gets tired on all accounts due to everyday
tasks.
Options:
A. DABCE
B. DBCEA*
C. ADBCE
D. DEACB
Question: 2
Arrange the below-mentioned sentences coherently:
A) The hiker reaches the mountain peak, taking in the breathtaking
panoramic view.
B) A gentle breeze rustles through the leaves, creating a soothing melody.
C) Sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the
forest floor.
D) Wildflowers bloom in vibrant colors, adding beauty to the natural
surroundings.
E) The trail weaves through dense foliage, offering glimpses of wildlife
along the way.
Options:
1. CEDBA*
2. ACBED
3. EDCBA
4. CEBDA
Question: 3
A- ethnic background, education level, and income level.
B-The good news is that it can often be treated.
C- It affects young and old, male and female, and individuals of every
race,
D- Mental illness is an equal opportunity issue.
1. BACD
2. DCAB*
3. ACDB
4. BCDA
WEBSITE:
https://prepinsta.com/jumbled-sentences/questions/
https://www.indiabix.com/verbal-ability/ordering-of-sentences/
