THE SENTENCES

What is a Sentence?

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. A sentence must have a subject and a verb, but it may or may not have an object.

SUBJECT - VERB - OBJECT

Sally is making a doll.

Wendy and Kim are fighting.

The hedgehog curled up.

Maggie is reading a book.

It is raining.

Dad cooked dinner.

I am flying a kite.

We are eating our breakfast.

They are washing the dishes.

The dentist is examining Susan’s teeth.

The old couple have no children.

Janet screamed.

A sentence that makes a statement begins with a capital letter and ends with a period.

KINDS OF SENTENCES:

There are four kinds of sentences.

1. A declarative sentence makes a statement.

The children are swimming.

The telephone rang.

Everyone sat down.

Richard is feeding the hens.

2. An interrogative sentence asks a question.

What is Richard doing?

Where are the twins?

Are you going shopping today?

What is your name?

3. An exclamatory sentence expresses strong emotion.

What lovely weather!

The silly girl!

How stupid I am!

4. An imperative sentence gives an order.

Please sit down.

Tell me the truth.

Speak up!

Come back!

The Imperative

Use the base form of a verb to give commands or make direct requests. This use of the verb is called the imperative.

Stand, everyone!

Tidy your bedroom immediately!

Choose a partner!

Eat plenty of vegetables.

Find some nice round pebbles.

Come back soon!

Take a sandwich.

Come and look at this, Tom!

OK, children, open your books to page 25.

Imperatives are a very direct way of telling people to do something. Using do or please before an imperative is more polite.

Do sit down.

Do check these figures again.

Please help yourselves to some food.

Please don’t change anything on my computer.

You can also use the helping verb would to sound polite. For example:

Please would you clear the table?

Would you please talk quietly?