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Sentences by their completeness:
Complete Sentences
The complete sentence consists of one or more than one grammatically main clauses or principal clauses.
Examples:
I have two black pens.
I like to read Keats.
He is not so attractive.
Incomplete Sentences
There are incomplete sentences where it would be reasonable to posit ellipsis. If the interpretation of a sentence depends on any context or situation, we have situational ellipsis. Incomplete sentences are dependent either to context or to any other constituent or principal clause. We often use elliptical sentences in our regular informal conversations.
Examples:
(Ram. You told me the wrong thing.)
John. Did I!
Here John’s response ‘did I! ‘ is an incomplete sentence, because it expresses it’s meaning only when the context of the conversation is known.
More examples:
So what!
Why not!
Stop!
Do it.
Alright.
Who can?
For what?
We can also divide sentence by its structure :
Single Worded Sentences
Single worded sentences are formed by one word. They are incomplete sentences. The meaning of single worded sentences is dependent on the context.
Examples:
Look.
Halt.
Stop.
No.
Yes.
Alright.
Never.
Multi-worded Sentences
All the sentences with more than one word are called multi-worded sentences. Complete sentences are also a part of this category.
Examples:
I’m busy with my job.
You have nothing to do.
Subscribe my YouTube channel.
I’m not a big man.
Verbless Sentences
There are sentences where the verb is absentee .
Examples:
Why not ?
So What?
Good job.
Very good.
Very nice.
Sentences can be divided through their expressions:
Assertive or Declarative Sentence
The sentences which make a statement or assertion or declaration .
Examples:
He is an art teacher.
UGC has given a notification.
I am not a bad student.
Interrogative Sentence
The sentences which ask questions.
Examples:
Who is the first boy?
Do you know him?
Where do you work?
Imperative Sentence
The sentences which express commands, requests, or entreaties .
For example:
Please do my work.
Be quiet.
Mercy upon us.
Do it now.
Optative Sentence
The sentence which expresses a prayer, keen wish, curse etc. is called an optative sentence. This kind of sentence generally often starts with ‘may’ and ‘wish’. Sometimes, ‘may’ remains hidden.
Examples:
May god bless you.
May you be happy in life.
Long live our grandpa.
May you pass the examination.
May you prosper in life.
May his soul rest in peace.
Exclamatory Sentence
An exclamatory sentence makes a statement that conveys strong emotion or excitement and ends with an exclamation mark (!).
Examples:
How bad the man is!
What bad news!
What a beautiful education system!
Now all these five kinds of sentence can be
Positive or Affirmative
For example: He is a good boy.
Or
Negative
For example: He is not a good boy.
Exercises
A. Answer the following questions
1. Write the definition of a complete sentence.
2. Why is the traditional definition of a sentence incomplete in itself?
3. What is an incomplete sentence?
4. Write two examples of single worded, multiple worded and verbless sentences.
5. What do you mean by grammatical constituent?
6. Write the exact grammatical hierarchy in order.
7. What is syntax?
B. Read the following sentences and state their kind.
1. Please leave your footwear outside.
2. Will you wait here?
3. Where have you been all this while?
4. We will not tolerate this.
5. I am your friend.
6. My sister lives in Mexico.
7. What did you do then?
8. Do be a bit more careful.
9. Never speak to me like that again.
10. Always remember what I told you.
11. The ball rolled slowly into the goal.
C. Identify the type of sentence.
1. How well she sings!
2. What is your name?
3. Did I say anything to make you angry?
4. What is your name?
5. Who told you this?
6. She is a successful writer.
7. It is raining cats and dogs.
8. I want to become a writer.
9. She does not eat meat or fish.
10. Go at once.
11. Bring me that file.
12. My mother makes delicious cookies.
13. Get lost.
14. Fetch me a glass of water.
15. Please be seated.
16. Sit down.
17. She writes with her left hand.
18. What a tragedy!
19. How beautiful she is!
20. I have two sisters.
21. How ridiculous this is!
