Tutorial for highschool students

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Sentence: Definition, Structure, and Types

✔️1. Definition of a Sentence
- A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought or idea. It begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop (.), question mark (?), or exclamation mark (!).
- Every sentence must have at least one subject and one predicate.
♤ The subject tells who or what the sentence is about.
♤ The predicate tells what the subject does, is, or has.
E.g.
> She studies hard.
● Subject: She
● Predicate: studies hard.
> The sun rises in the east.
● Subject: The sun
● Predicate: rises in the east.

- A sentence must make complete sense on its own. If it does not, it is called a phrase, not a full sentence.
For example, “Running quickly” is not a sentence because it lacks a subject and a complete idea.

✔️2. Structure of a Sentence
- The structure of a sentence refers to how words are arranged and connected to express a clear idea. A simple sentence usually has two main parts: subject and predicate.

A. Subject
- The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea performing the action or being described.
- It can be:
A single noun: Ali runs fast.
A noun phrase: The tall man runs fast.
A pronoun: He runs fast.

B. Predicate
- The predicate gives information about what the subject does, feels, or is.
- It usually contains a verb and may include objects, complements, or adverbial phrases.
E.g.
> She sings beautifully.
● Predicate: sings beautifully.
> The children are playing football in the field.
● Predicate: are playing football in the field.

✔️3. Types of Sentences
- Sentences can be classified in two main ways: according to Purpose and structure.

➡️A. According to Purpose (Function)
1. Declarative Sentence (Statement)
- Used to make a statement or express an opinion or fact.
- It ends with a full stop (.).
E.g.
> Semir is happy.
> I love my country.
> The Earth moves around the sun.

2. Interrogative Sentence (Question)
- Used to ask a question.
- It ends with a question mark (?).
E.g.
> What is your name?
> Did you finish your homework?

3. Imperative Sentence (Command or Request)
- Used to give an order, command, advice, or request.
- It usually begins with a verb and ends with a full stop or exclamation mark.
E.g.
> Close the door.
> Please help me with this task.

4. Exclamatory Sentence (Strong Feeling)
- Used to express strong emotions such as surprise, anger, happiness, or excitement.
- It ends with an exclamation mark (!).
E.g.
> What a beautiful view!
> How wonderful this day is!

➡️B. According to Structure (Form)
1. Simple Sentence
- Contains only one independent clause (a clause that can stand alone and expresses a complete idea).
- It has one subject and one predicate.
E.g.
> She writes neatly.
> The dog barked loudly.

2. Compound Sentence
- Contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, so, for, nor, yet.
E.g.
> I wanted to go out, but it started to rain.
> Ali studied hard, and he passed the exam.

3. Complex Sentence
- Contains one independent clause and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses.
- A dependent clause cannot stand alone; it depends on the main clause for meaning.
- Subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, when, since, if, unless are often used.
E.g.
> I stayed at home because I was tired.
> Although she was late, she managed to attend the meeting.

4. Compound-Complex Sentence
- Contains two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
E.g.
> When I arrived, the class had already started, and the teacher smiled at me.
> Abebe loves football, but he doesn’t play it because of his injury.

Summary of types of sentences based on structure.
Independ. Depend.
Clause Clause
1. Simple 1. -
2. Compound 2 ^ -
3. Complex 1 1 ^
4. Cpd Complex 2 ^ 1 ^

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