THE SENTENCE

THE SENTENCE A group of words, which makes complete sense, is called a Sentence. Kinds of Sentences Sentences are of four kinds: (1) Those which make statements or assertions; as, Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. (2) Those which ask questions; as Where do you live? (3) Those which express commands, requests, or entreaties; as, Be quiet. Have mercy upon us. (4) Those which express strong feelings; as, How cold the night is! What a shame! A sentence that makes a statement or assertion is called a Declarative or Assertive sentence. A sentence that asks a question is called an Interrogative sentence. A sentence that expresses a command or an entreaty is called an Imperative sentence. A sentence that expresses strong feeling is called an Exclamatory sentence. SUBJECT AND PREDICATE When we make a sentence: (1) We name some person or thing; and (2) Say something about that person or thing. Hence every sentence has two parts: (1) The part which names the person or thing we are speaking about. This is called the Subject of the sentence. (2) The part which tells something about the Subject. This is called the Predicate of the sentence. The Subject of a sentence usually comes first, but occasionally it is put after the Predicate; as, Here comes the bus. Sweet are the uses of adversity. In Imperative sentences the Subject is left out; as, Sit down. [Here the Subject You is understood]. Thank him. [Here too the Subject You is understood.]