What is a word group that are sentences

What are phrases and are they actually important?

Phrases are a group of words that work together to communicate an element of speech. They are very important because they allow you to communicate better, through both written and spoken language. This article takes a look at phrases in a sentence and uses simple language to explain what phrases are, how they work within sentences to create a meaningful message and what different types of phrases are used in the English language.

What are phrases?

Phrases in a sentence are a group of words that act as a part of a speech but cannot stand alone in order to form a complete sentence because they do not include both a subject and a predicate. However, the words in a phrase work together in a manner that entails that they can function as a single part of speech, i.e. together the words in a phrase can form a noun, verb, adverb or adjective. Examples of phrases are:

• over the moon.
• on the roof.
• in the corner.
• under the bed.

Each of these phrases makes sense, but to make complete sense they need to be placed in a full sentence with other words:

• • I am over the moon.
  • There is a bird on the roof.
  • He is stood in the corner.
  • There is a mess under the bed.

What are the properties of phrases?

The properties of phrases in a sentence are as follows:

• Phrases are groups of words
• Phrases do not contain a finite verb (e.g. I, we, you, he, she, they, etc.)
• Phrases may contain a non-finite verb such as a participle, a gerund or an infinitive.
• Phrases are unable to convey a definite meaning, but they do communicate a disconnected idea.
• Phrases cannot stand alone. In order to be grammatically correct, they should always be part of a larger sentence.

What are the different types of phrases?

There are several different types of phrases in a sentence:

• • 1. Noun phrases: A noun phrase is made up of a noun and its accompanying modifiers (which can include other phrases). Gerund phrases, appositive phrases and infinitive phrases are all types of noun phrases.
    2. Verb phrases: A verb phrase can refer to an entire predicate in a sentence or can be limited to a verb or verb group.
    3. Adverbial phrases: There are two theories relating to adverbial phrases. Some people argue that an adverbial phrase is a group of adverbs, while others believe that an adverbial phrase is any type of phrase that acts as an adverb.
    4. Adjectival phases: There are two theories relating to adjectival phrases. Some people argue that an adjectival phrase is a group of adjectives, while others believe that an adjectival phrase is any type of phrase that acts as an adjective.
    5. Participial phrases: Participial phrases are word groups that consist of a present or past participle and any modifiers, objects, and complements.
    6. Prepositional phrases: Prepositional phrases begin with a preposition and can function as adjectives, adverbs or nouns.
    7. Absolute phrases: Absolute phrases are essentially collapsed sentences. Instead of adding more information about a noun or a verb, they modify an entire sentence.

So, when it comes to the question: what are phrases in a sentence? This article clearly reveals that they are extremely important elements of language that all writers need to be familiar with.

Phrases Cheat Sheet

It is generally accepted that there are five major types of phrases in the English language, one for each of the main parts of speech. Phrases are a group of words that act as a part of a speech but cannot stand alone in order to form a complete sentence because they do not include both a subject and a predicate.

Our free printable cheat sheet presents the five major types of phrases together with information about how to spot them and what punctuation rules you should bear in mind when using them. To download a free copy of the Five Types of Phrases cheat sheet, simply click on the image below.

In this article, we will discuss what is sentence in English?, Parts of sentence, and Types of sentences: Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, and Exclamatory sentences.

A sentence is a group of words that helps a person to express himself.

In every communication, there is a need of a group of words to communicate. Such a group of words, which can communicate a complete message is called a sentence.

For Example:

• I am going to school.
• James is a doctor.
• What is your name?
• My name is Tony.

In any language,

• Letters help in making words.
• Words help in making Sentences.
• Sentences help in making Paragraphs.

Actually, a sentence is a collection of meaningful words that helps to share our thoughts or ideas with other persons.

To write or speak any language, you need words. These meaningful word helps to create a sentence which helps a person to express himself.

A sentence can be one word or more than one word, means if a single word is sufficient to express himself than that word is also a sentence.

For example,

• Mother: Do you want to go to school?
• Son: No.
• Mother: Why?
• Son: I am not feeling well today.

In the above example, all are the sentences, because all these single words are sufficient to express himself. If you convey a message in a single word, so that is also called a sentence.

A group of words doesn’t mean it makes a sentence, those words which make complete sense (you can understand), is called a Sentence.

Actually, Sentences are arranged in a systematic way that gives us complete sense.

Example 1:

• Rahul is reading a book. ✔
• book rahul a reading is. ✘

Example 2:

• John is a Good Boy.   ✔
• Boy is good John.     ✘

Parts of Sentence

Every sentence consists of two parts:

Subject + Predicate

Subject:

A subject is what we are talking about. It can be a noun or pronoun that performs some action.

What is being told about that sentence is the subject of that sentence.

The subject is a noun or pronoun, which has been being talked about or that which is doing that work.

Predicate:

Predicate shows some details about the subject. It contains a verb that explains about the subject or what subject is doing and also contains objects that are affected by the subject’s actions.

For Example,

• I love you.
• You are beautiful
• He opened the door.
• Rohit pushed sunny.

Types of Sentence

• Assertive or Declarative sentence (statement: fact, opinion or an idea)
• Interrogative sentence (question)
• Imperative sentence (command: order, advice, or request)
• Exclamatory sentence (exclamation)

Assertive or Declarative sentence

Those sentences make statements or assertions. These sentences can be a fact, opinion, or idea.

For example,

• John is a good boy.
• Snow is white.
• I love chocolates.
• Gold is Yellow.
• The sun rises in the east.

Interrogative sentence

Such sentences are used to ask questions. If someone asks you a question than it is an interrogative sentence.

These types of sentences are asked to take information and always end with a question (?) mark.

For example,

• What is your name?
• Are you playing?
• Did he come here?
• Do you speak the truth?

Imperative sentence

Such sentences are used to permit command or request.

When someone gives you order, advice, or request, then those are imperative sentences.

For example,

• Open the door.
• Be quiet.
• Never tell a lie.
• Come to the park.
• Always respect elders.
• Never speak to me like that again.
• Everybody look!
• Relax, everybody.
• Nobody move!
• You keep out of this!

Exclamatory sentence

Such sentences are used to express strong emotions.

These are sudden and strong emotions, there has been an expression of a sudden feeling in the mind.

These types of sentences end with an exclamation mark (!).

For example,

• What a shame!
• Wow, he just won a gold medal!
• What a liar he is!
• My god!
• Wow!
• How lovely to see you!

you can read this article: What is noun? and Types of Noun

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Mini Quiz

Definition
and general characteristics of the word-group.

There
are a lot of definitions concerning the word-group. The most
adequate one seems to be the following: the word-group is a
combination of at least two notional words which do not constitute
the sentence but are syntactically connected. According to some
other scholars (the majority of Western scholars and professors
B.Ilyish and V.Burlakova – in Russia), a combination of a notional
word with a function word (on
the table)
may be treated as a word-group as well. The problem is disputable as
the role of function words is to show some abstract relations and
they are devoid of nominative power. On the other hand, such
combinations are syntactically bound and they should belong
somewhere.

General
characteristics of the word-group are:

1)
As a naming unit it differs from a compound word because the number
of constituents in a word-group corresponds to the number of
different denotates:

a
black bird – чорний птах (2), a blackbird – дрізд
(1); 
a loud speaker (2), a loudspeaker (1).

2)
Each component of the word-group can undergo grammatical changes
without destroying the identity of the whole unit: to
see a house — to see houses.

3)
A word-group is a dependent syntactic unit, it is not a
communicative unit and has no intonation of its own.

2.
Classification of word-groups.

Word-groups
can be classified on the basis of several principles:

1. According
   to the type of syntagmatic relations: coordinate (you
   and me), subordinate (to
   see a house, a nice dress), predicative (him
   coming, for him to come),

2. According
   to the structure: simple (all
   elements are obligatory), expanded (to
   read and translate the text –
   expanded elements are equal in rank), extended (a
   word takes a dependent element and this dependent element becomes
   the head for another word: a
   beautiful flower
   – a very beautiful flower).

3.
Subordinate word-groups.

Subordinate
word-groups are based on the relations of dependence between the
constituents. This presupposes the existence of a governing 
Element
which is called the
head and
the dependent element which is called the
adjunct (in
noun-phrases) or the
complement (in
verb-phrases).

According
to the nature of their heads, subordinate word-groups fall
into noun-phrases (NP)
– a
cup of tea, verb-phrases (VP)
– to
run fast, to see
a house, adjective
phrases (AP)
– good
for you, adverbial
phrases (DP)
– so
quickly, pronoun
phrases (IP)
– something
strange, nothing todo.

The
formation of the subordinate word-group depends on the valency of
its constituents. Valencyis
a potential ability of words to combine. Actual realization of
valency in speech is called combinability.

4.
The noun-phrase (NP).

Noun
word-groups are widely spread in English. This may be explained by a
potential ability of the noun to go into combinations with
practically all parts of speech. The NP consists of a noun-head and
an adjunct or adjuncts with relations of modification between them.
Three types of modification are distinguished here:

1. Premodification that
   comprises all the units placed before the head: two
   smart hard-working students. Adjuncts
   used in pre-head position are called pre-posed adjuncts.

2. Postmodification that
   comprises all the units all the units placed after the
   head: studentsfrom
   Boston. Adjuncts
   used in post-head position are called post-posed adjuncts.

3. Mixed
   modification that
   comprises all the units in both pre-head and post-head position:two
   smart hard-working students from
   Boston.

Pre-posed adjuncts		Post-posed adjuncts
Pronoun	Adj.
Adj.	Ven
N2	Ving
N`s	prep.N2
Ven	prepVing
Ving	D
Num	Num
D	wh-clause, that-clause

X

5.
Noun-phrases with pre-posed adjuncts.

In
noun-phrases with pre-posed modifiers we generally find adjectives,
pronouns, numerals, participles, gerunds, nouns, nouns in the
genitive case (see the table). According to their position all
pre-posed adjuncts may be divided
into pre-adjectivals and adjectiavals.
The position of adjectivals is usually right before the noun-head.
Pre-adjectivals occupy the position before adjectivals. They fall
into two groups: a) lim
iters (to this
group belong mostly particles): just,
only, even, etc. and
b) determiners (articles,
possessive pronouns, quantifiers – the
first, the last).

Premodification
of nouns by nouns (N+N) is one of the most striking features about
the grammatical organization of English. It is one of devices to
make our speech both laconic and expressive at the same time.
Noun-adjunct groups result from different kinds of transformational
shifts. NPs with pre-posed adjuncts can signal a striking variety of
meanings:

world
peace – peace all over the world 
silver box – a box
made of silver 
table lamp – lamp for tables 
table
legs – the legs of the table 
river sand – sand from the
river 
school child – a child who goes to school

The
grammatical relations observed in NPs with pre-posed adjuncts may
convey the following meanings:

1. subject-predicate
   relations: weather
   change;

2. object
   relations: health
   service, women hater;

3. adverbial
   relations:

a)
of time: morning
star, 
b)
place: world
peace, country house, 
c)
comparison: button
eyes, 
d)
purpose: tooth
brush.

It
is important to remember that the noun-adjunct is usually marked by
a stronger stress than the head.

Of
special interest is a kind of ‘grammatical idiom’ where the
modifier is reinterpreted into the head:a
devil of a man, an angel of a girl.

6.
Noun-phrases with post-posed adjuncts.

NPs
with post-posed may be classified according to the way of connection
into prepositionless andprepositional.
The basic prepositionless NPs with post-posed adjuncts are: Nadj.
– tea
strong,
NVen – the
shape unknown,
NVing – the
girl smiling,
ND – the
man downstairs,
NVinf – a
book to read,
NNum – room
ten.

The
pattern of basic prepositional NPs is N1 prep. N2. The most common
preposition here is ‘of’ – a
cup of tea, a
man of courage.
It may have quite different meanings: qualitative — a
woman of sense, predicative – the
pleasure of the company, objective – the
reading of the newspaper,partitive – the
roof of the house.

7.
The verb-phrase.

The
VP is a definite kind of the subordinate phrase with the verb as the
head. The verb is considered to be the semantic and structural
centre not only of the VP but of the whole sentence as the verb
plays an important role in making up primary predication that serves
the basis for the sentence. VPs are more complex than NPs as there
are a lot of ways in which verbs may be combined in actual usage.
Valent properties of different verbs and their semantics make it
possible to divide all the verbs into several groups depending on
the nature of their complements (see the table ‘Syntagmatic
properties of verbs’, Lecture 6).

8.
Classification of verb-phrases.

VPs
can be classified according to the nature of their complements –
verb complements may be nominal (to
see a house)
and adverbial (to
behave well).
Consequently, we distinguish nominal,
adverbial and mixed complementation.

Nominal
complementation takes place when one or more nominal complements
(nouns or pronouns) are obligatory for the realization of potential
valency of the verb: to
give smth. to smb., to phone smb., to hear smth.(smb.), etc.

Adverbial
complementation occurs when the verb takes one or more adverbial
elements obligatory for the realization of its potential valency: He
behaved well, I live …in Kyiv (here).

Mixed
complementation – both nominal and adverbial elements are
obligatory: He
put his hat on he table (nominal-adverbial).

According
to the structure VPs
may be basic or simple (to
take a book) –
all elements are obligatory; expanded (to
read and
translate the text,
to read
books and
newspapers)
andextended (to
read an English book).

9.
Predicative word-groups.

Predicative
word combinations are distinguished on the basis of secondary
predication. Like sentences, predicative word-groups are binary in
their structure but actually differ essentially in their
organization. The sentence is an independent communicative unit
based on primary predication while the predicative word-group is a
dependent syntactic unit that makes up a part of the sentence. The
predicative word-group consists of a nominal element (noun, pronoun)
and a non-finite form of the verb: N + Vnon-fin. There are
Gerundial, Infinitive and Participial word-groups (complexes) in the
English language: his
reading, for
me to know,
the boy running, etc.)

n theoretical
linguistics,
a distinction is made
between endocentric and exocentric constructions.
A grammatical construction
(e.g. a phrase or
compound word) is said to be endocentric if
it fulfills the same linguistic function as one of its parts,
and exocentric if
it does not.^[1] The
distinction reaches back at least to Bloomfield’s
work of the 1930s.^[2] Such
a distinction is possible only in phrase
structure grammars(constituency
grammars), since in dependency
grammars all
constructions are necessarily endocentric.^[3]

Endocentric
construction[edit]

An
endocentric construction consists of an obligatory head and
one or more dependents, whose presence serves to narrow the meaning
of the head. For example:

big house —
Noun phrase (NP)

sing songs —
Verb phrase (VP)

very long —
Adjective phrase (AP)

These
phrases are indisputably endocentric. They are endocentric because
the one word in each case carries the bulk of the semantic content
and determines the grammatical category to which the
wholeconstituent will
be assigned. The phrase big
house is
a noun
phrase in line with its part house,
which is a noun. Similarly, sing
songs is
a verb
phrase in line with its part sing,
which is a verb. The same is true ofvery
long;
it is an adjective
phrase in line with its part long,
which is an adjective. In more formal terms, the distribution of an
endocentric construction is functionally equivalent, or approaching
equivalence, to one of its parts, which serves as the center, or
head, of the whole. An endocentric construction is also known as
a headed construction,
where the head is contained «inside» the construction.

Exocentric
construction[edit]

An
exocentric construction consists of two or more parts, whereby the
one or the other of the parts cannot be viewed as providing the bulk
of the semantic content of the whole. Further, the syntactic
distribution of the whole cannot be viewed as being determined by
the one or the other of the parts. The classic instance of an
exocentric construction is the sentence (in a phrase
structure grammar).^[4] The
traditional binary division^[5] of
the sentence (S) into a subject noun
phrase (NP) and a predicate verb
phrase (VP) was exocentric:

Hannibal
destroyed Rome. — Sentence (S)

Since
the whole is unlike either of its parts, it is exocentric. In other
words, since the whole is neither a noun (N) like Hannibal nor
a verb phrase (VP) like destroyed
Rome but
rather a sentence (S), it is exocentric. With the advent of X-bar
Theory in Transformational
Grammar in the 1970s, this traditional exocentric division
was largely abandoned and replaced by an endocentric analysis,
whereby the sentence is viewed as an inflection
phrase (IP), which is essentially a projection of the verb
(a fact that makes the sentence a big VP in a sense). Thus with the
advent of X-bar Theory, the endocentric vs. exocentric distinction
started to become less important in the theory of syntax, for
without the concept of exocentricity, the notion of endocentricity
was becoming vacuous. In theories of morphology however,
the distinction remains, since certaincompounds seem
to require an exocentric analysis, e.g. have-not in Bill
is a have-not.
For a class of compounds described as exocentric, see bahuvrihi.

The
distinction in dependency grammars[edit]

The
endo- vs. exocentric distinction is possible in phrase
structure grammars (= constituency grammars), since they
are constituency-based. The distinction is hardly present
in dependency
grammars, since they are dependency-based. In other words,
dependency-based structures are necessarily endocentric, i.e. they
are necessarily headed structures. Dependency grammars by definition
were much less capable of acknowledging the types of divisions that
constituency enables. Acknowledging exocentric structure
necessitates that one posit more nodes in the syntactic (or
morphological) structure than one has actual words or morphs in the
phrase or sentence at hand. What this means is that a significant
tradition in the study of syntax and grammar has been incapable from
the start of acknowledging the endo- vs. exocentric distinction, a
fact that has generated confusion about what should count as an
endo- or exocentric structure.

Representing
endo- and exocentric structures[edit]

Theories
of syntax (and morphology) represent endocentric and exocentric
structures using tree diagrams and specific labeling conventions.
The distinction is illustrated here using the following trees. The
first three trees show the distinction in a constituency-based
grammar, and the second two trees show the same structures in a
dependency-based grammar:

The
upper two trees on the left are endocentric since each time, one of
the parts, i.e. the head, projects its category status up to the
mother node. The upper tree on the right, in contrast, is
exocentric, because neither of the parts projects its category
status up to the mother node; Z is a category distinct from X or Y.
The two dependency trees show the manner in which dependency-based
structures are inherently endocentric. Since the number of nodes in
the tree structure is necessarily equal to the number of elements
(e.g. words) in the string, there is no way to assign the whole
(i.e. XY) a category status that is distinct from both X and Y.

Traditional
phrase structure trees are mostly endocentric, although the initial
binary division of the clause is exocentric (S → NP VP), as
mentioned above, e.g.

This
tree structure contains four divisions, whereby only one of these
division is exocentric (the highest one). The other three divisions
are endocentric because the mother node has the same basic category
status as one of its daughters. The one exocentric division
disappears in the corresponding dependency tree:

Dependency
positions the finite verb as the root of the entire tree, which
means the initial exocentric division is impossible. This tree is
entirely endocentric.

A
note about coordinate structures[edit]

While
exocentric structures have largely disappeared from most theoretical
analyses of standard sentence structure, many theories of syntax
still assume (something like) exocentric divisions for coordinate
structures,
e.g.

[Sam]
and [Larry] arrived.

She
[laughed] and [cried].

[Should
I] or [should I not] go to that conference?

The
brackets each time mark the conjuncts of a coordinate structure,
whereby this coordinate structure includes the material appearing
between the left-most bracket and the right-most bracket; the
coordinator is positioned between the conjuncts. Coordinate
structures like these do not lend themselves to an endocentric
analysis in any clear way, nor to an exocentric analysis. One might
argue that the coordinator is the head of the coordinate structure,
which would make it endocentric. This argument would have to ignore
the numerous occurrences of coordinate structures that lack a
coordinator (asyndeton),
however. One might therefore argue instead that coordinate
structures like these are multi-headed, each conjunct being or
containing a head. The difficulty with this argument, however, is
that the traditional endocentric vs. exocentric distinction did not
foresee the existence of multi-headed structures, which means that
it did not provide a guideline for deciding whether a multi-headed
structure should be viewed as endo- or exocentric. Coordinate
structures thus remain a problem area for the endo- vs. exocentric
distinction in general.

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Here we are, with another topic reflecting the importance of grammar that is the types of sentences in English. A sentence is basically a group of words that make sense. If words are not arranged in an ordered manner, it will create no sense and your message will not be communicated. So sentence structure plays an important role, not only in the English language but in any language.

After learning word formation, students must be aware of sentence structure and there are different types of sentences that will be the highlight of this article today.

IELTS Online Preparation Course!!

What is a Sentence?

A sentence is a group of words that makes sense. Without an order of words, sense will not be created. Its basic structure is subject+ verb+ object.

Components of the Sentence-

A sentence is formed in two parts that are, subject and predicate.

• The subject is the noun or pronoun of whom the sentence is about. It is affixed in the front part of the sentence. For example- John is cooking.

Here John is a subject.

• The predicate is the rest of the part of the sentence that depicts what a subject does. For example- John is cooking.

Here is cooking is the predicate.

How many types of sentences are there in English Grammar?

Part 1

Here are basically four kinds of sentences which are as follows:-

1. Affirmative or Declarative Sentences

Affirmative or declarative types of sentences are the sentences that are common types of sentences. It is a simple statement that gives information or tells us something.

For example

• Mr. Brown is 35 years old.
• Martha is learning to dance.
• The sunsets in the West.

These common sentences just end with a full stop and it is composed of subject and predicate. The order of this sentence is subject+ verb+ object.

Affirmative Negative Sentence

A negative sentence is a not sentence that tells that statement is not positive. The word (not) is used after the subject and helping verb.

• Martha is not learning to dance.
• The sun does not set in the East.
• Mr. Brown is not 35 years old.

2. Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences are the type of sentences that usually ends up with a question mark or these are question type of sentences in which a question is asked. The structure of an interrogative question is that the helping verb is used before a noun and a pronoun in a sentence. Helping verb+ subject+ an object?

For example

• Did you make a noise?
• Will you participate in the competition today?
• Can you do this task?
• Is he working in this company as a sales manager?

Interrogative Negative Sentence

Putting a not in between makes a sentence negative. However, the use of not in an interrogative sentence is done after the subject. For example:-

• Did you not make a noise? (Kya tum ne shor nahi daala?)
• Will you not participate in the competition today?
• Can you not do this task?
• Is he not working in this company?

3. Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences are the type of sentences that give command or order. It is also known as a command sentence in which an order is issued to the listener. The structure of an imperative sentence is sometimes informal or the language used is informal.

For example

• Give me a glass of water.
• Do your work properly.
• Do make a noise.
• Go and get yourself vaccinated.

Negative Imperative Sentences

Again it is an order not to do something. It is basically a restraining order given to the listener which restricts them to do something.

For example:-

• Do not give me a glass of water.
• Do not work properly.
• Do not make a noise.
• Don’t get yourself vaccinated.

Imperative Interrogative Sentences

An imperative sentence is sometimes asked in the form of an A question too, which makes it of this particular type. It is a question statement asked in the form of a command or an order only.

For example:-

• Will you do your work?
• Shall we go out now?
• Will you please stop making noise?

4. Exclamatory Sentences

An exclamatory type of sentence is a sentence that expresses great emotions such as an emotion of happiness, anger, sadness, joy, Excitement, surprise, grief, etc. These types of sentences usually end up with a sign of exclamation.

For example

• Ah! What great news it is!
• Hurrah! We won the match.
• What an exciting movie it was!

Negative Exclamatory Sentences

When the emotions are expressed using a negative form in a sentence makes a sentence of this type. It is making a statement is an expression of emotion as a question. Complicated? Well, let’s not make it more complex and give some examples.

For example:-

• Hey! Don’t you know how to prepare this dish!
• Ah! What great news it is! Isn’t it?

A structure of an exclamatory sentence is not necessarily an order of a simple sentence. Still, this type of sentence makes sense as the emotions are in the form of words that come out suddenly. In these types of sentences, the helping verb can be used at the last to express fully.

Part 2

Another set of types of sentences is

1. Simple Sentence

A simple sentence is just like an affirmative sentence and is a complete sentence on its own. It gives the whole information in one sentence only and is an independent one. It is a complete thought in itself.

For example:-

• John is living next door.
• Mr. Gupta is not doing his shift work.
• The boys went to the park.

2. Compound Sentence

Another type is a type of compound sentence where the two or more independent simple clauses are connected with a conjunction. Remember that these sentences are independent of one another and make complete sense.

For example:-

• Arthur is writing a letter whereas Michal is going to post it.

Here, in this sentence, the conjunction whereas is connecting two independent sentences and both the sentences can independently make sense.

3. Complex Sentence

A complex sentence is a hybrid of a simple and complex sentence. It contains one independent clause and the other one or more clauses are dependent on that independent one. In this type of sentence, one sentence is independent and another one is dependent on that sentence. The dependent clause had a subject and a verb but no complete thought.

For example:-

• John is writing a letter because of his promise to his mother.
• The boys went to the park as they had a match to play.
• Nowadays, due to automation, many banking systems are providing online services.

IELTS Exam of writing does not demand writing complex sentences but good IELTS Writing skills can give a higher band score. I hope you all are clear with the topic of sentences. Keep practicing for good writing

Best of luck!

Every sentence in English is a combination of some elements that have their separate roles to play in the sentence. In this post, we will learn the basic elements that we need in order to form a sentence.

Let’s first understand what a sentence in English is.

What is a sentence in English?

A sentence is a group of words that have a particular meaning. It contains two main elements: 

1. Subject
2. Predicate

To be called a sentence, it (a group of words) must make sense.

Examples:

• I sleep.
• We eat.
• I have money.
• We are working.
• You me.
• She living is.
• I you love.

All these examples have a group of words. Notice the last three examples don’t make any sense; they don’t render a meaning. So, having a group of words doesn’t qualify into a sentence. It has to have the necessary elements, that too in the right order.

Let’s correct them and change them into sentences.

• You trouble me. (Added a necessary element)
• She is living. (Corrected the order)
• I love you. (Corrected the order)

A sentence has two major elements:

1. Subject
2. Predicate

1. SUBJECT

A subject is something or someone the sentence is about. It is what the sentence focuses on. It is either a person who performs the action or a person or a thing that the sentence gives information about (descriptive information).

Examples:

• Rahul sings.
• Jon lives in Canada.
• Tom is working.
• I teach English.

In all the above examples, the subject (italicized) is the part (person) performing the action in the sentence. A sentence doesn’t always indicate an action that the subject performs. It also gives information about the subject.

Examples:

• Rahul is my English teacher. (Telling what the subject is)
• Jon is talented. (Describing the subject with an adjective).
• Tom is under pressure. (describing the subject with adjectival phrase)
• I am your boss. (telling what the subject is)

Types of subjects in English

There are three types of subjects in English:

1. Simple subject
2. Compound subject
3. Complete subject

Simple subject

A simple subject is a one-word subject. It does not include any modifiers.

• India is the biggest democratic country in the world.
• Jacob loves pancakes.
• The man in the white coat is a doctor.
• Rahul called me after the meeting.

NOTE: a simple subject does not have to be a single word. It can be a group of words, but it won’t have any modifiers.

• The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world.
• Justin Bieber is my sister’s favourite singer.

Here, the subject is a proper noun. It does not have any modifiers.

Complete subject

A complete subject is a combination of a simple subject and the words that modify it.

Examples:

1. Some people just make excuses for their failures.

Simple subject = people
Modifier = some
Complete subject = some people

2. People living in this area are very poor.

Simple subject = people
Modifier = living in this area (present participle phrase)
Complete subject = people living in this area

3. A wise man once said that money is an illusion.

Simple subject = man
Modifiers = a, wise
Complete subject = a wise man

A complete subject is formed using a simple subject and one or more modifiers. Here are the ways to form a complete subject:

1. Pre-modifier/s + simple subject
2. Simple subject + modifier/s
3. Pre-modifier/s + simple subject + post-modifier/s

Pre-modifier + simple subject

• My friends love me. (Premodifier = my)
• A school is being built here. (Premodifier = a)

Simple subject + post-modifier

• People in my village support each other. (post-modifier = in my village)
• Events of such nature kept happening. (post-modifier = of such nature)

Pre-modifier + simple subject + post-modifier

• The man looking at us looks strange. (premodifier = the, post-modifier = looking at us)
• The goal of this gathering is to raise money for some poor kids. (premodifier = the, post-modifier = of this gathering)

Compound subject

A compound subject is a combination of two or more (generally two) simple subjects or complete subjects. It is joined by a coordinating conjunction, usually with ‘and’, ‘nor’, and ‘or’.

Examples:

• Jon and Max came to see me the other day.
• Susan or I can go there and talk to the mangement about this.

A compound subject can also be joined with correlative conjunctions such as ‘not only…but also‘, ‘Both…and‘, and ‘neither…not’.

• Neither the doctors nor the patients were happy with the ongoing protests.
• Both the police and the protestors are working together.
• Not only my parents but I am also in support of this rule.

What can be a subject?

A subject is generally a noun or a noun phrase but can be any of these:

• Noun
• Noun phrase
• Pronoun
• Noun clause
• Gerund
• Infinitive

Noun as a subject

A noun is a name given to something or someone. It’s generally a name of a person, place, thing, animal, emotion, concept, subject, activity, etc.

Examples:

• Mohit loves chocolates.
• Dubai is a beautiful city.
• Love overpowers hate.
• Honestly is the best policy.

Noun phrase as a subject

A noun phrase is a group of words headed by a noun. It has a noun and a word or words that modify it.

Examples:

• A man can do anything.
• A motivated man can achieve anything.
• Your house looks amazing.
• A tall girl came to my house yesterday.
• The man in the blue coat is waving at you.

Click here to study noun phrases in detail.

Pronoun as a subject

• You are amazing.
• She is studying right now.
• Everyone loves Ashish.
• There are 15 students in the classroom. All are studying.
• That is my house.

Noun clause as a subject

A subject can be a clause. Here are some examples:

• What he is eating is pancakes.
• What he wants is uncertain.
• Who you are hanging out with is a criminal.
• How she did this is shocking to us.

Click here to study noun clauses and noun clauses as the subject.

Gerund as a subject

A gerund is a progressive form of a verb that functions as a noun. 

Examples:

• Dancing is my passion. (We are talking about an action: dancing. This action is not happening right now.
• Smoking can kill you.
• Teaching English is my passion.
• Talking to kids makes me happy.

The last examples of subjects are gerund phrases.

Study these topics in detail by clicking on them:

• Gerunds 
• Gerund phrases

Infinitive as a subject

An infinitive is the ‘TO + V1’ form of a verb that functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb. 

Examples:

• To go home is what I want right now.
• To start an NGO is my dream.
• To bring her back is difficult.

Related lessons to study:

• Infinitives in English
• Bare Infinitives
• Forms of Infinitives

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2. PREDICATE

A predicate is a part of the sentence that gives information about the subject. It either indicates what the subject is doing or gives information about the subject in terms of giving it a name (using a noun) or modifying it (using an adjective).

Examples:

• She slept.
• She is working.
• You are a great human being.
• She is extremely talented.

Types of predicates in English

There are three types of predicates in English:

1. Simple predicate
2. Compound predicate
3. Complete predicate

Simple predicate

A simple predicate is a verb or a verb phrase (a combination of an auxiliary verb and the main verb). It does not include ant objects or modifiers.

Examples:

• She works.

Here, ‘she’ is the simple subject, and ‘works‘ is the simple predicate.

• You can go.

In the sentence, ‘can go’ is the simple predicate. It is a combination of the auxiliary verb (can) and the main verb (go). You is the simple subject here.

• Jon has been sleeping.

Here, ‘Jon’ is the simple subject, and ‘has been sleeping‘ is the simple predicate.

• My mother is cooking my favorite dish.

In this sentence, the simple predicate is ‘is cooking’. The complete predicate is ‘is cooking my favorite dish’. The complete predicate is a combination of a simple predicate and the object of the verb.

• She called me right after the meeting ended.

‘Called’ is the simple predicate here. It is the main verb. Notice that the verb called has its object and modifier after it, but a simple predicate does not include anything other than a verb (main verb) and a verb phrase (auxiliary verb + main verb).

More examples of simple predicates

• She cries.
• It works.
• He finished the work.
• You have done this beautifully.
• Some of you may get a call in the evening.
• Some people never learn from their mistakes.

Compound predicate

A compound predicate is a combination of two verbs or verb phrases. The verbs of a compound predicate share the same subject. The verbs are joined with coordinating conjunctions such as ‘and‘, ‘or‘, or ‘but‘. Forming a compound predicate is a way to avoid repeating the subject.

Study the following example to see how a predicate fits into a sentence.

These are two sentences where the doer of both the actions is the same: Rahul. Calls and tells. These are two simple predicates. When a subject performs two or more actions, we can bring them together and avoid mentioning the subject again in a new clause.

Rahul calls me every day and tells me everything.

Now, we have brought these two predicates using the coordinating conjunction ‘and’.

More examples:

• They will hire you or let you go.
• The company has changed their policy and opened 5 new posts.
• I wanted to help you but didn’t have money.
• Joanna fell off the roof and broke her foot.
• Some of my friends moved to Dubai and bought houses there.
• I will call your parents and tell them everything you did.
• The movie was long but had an amazing storyline.

Complete predicate

A complete predicate is a combination of a simple predicate (verb) and the others parts of the sentence: objects, complements, and modifiers.

Examples:

• Jon Jones finished his career at the top.

Simple predicate = finished
Complete predicate = finished his career at the top

• You owe me 500 dollars.

Simple predicate = owe
Complete predicate = owe me 500 dollars

• You have been working hard lately.

Simple predicate = have been working
Complete predicate = have been working hard lately

I should have listened to my father that day.

Simple predicate = should have listened
Complete predicate = should have listened to my father that day

• They are sleeping.

‘Are sleeping’ is the simple predicate here. It does not have a complete sentence.

NOTE: a complete predicate must have more than a verb. It must include objects, complements, or modifiers. A verb or a verb phrase can’t be a complete predicate.

Parts of a predicate

Here are the things we have in a predicate:

• Verb or verb phrase
• Object
• Complement
• Adverb or adverbial

NOTE: A sentence can be formed using a subject and a verb or verb phrase, at minimum. 

• Ron dances.
• She sings.
• We are working.

But sometimes, with the other information we want to render, that’s not enough.

• We are having dinner.
• Your sister wants some money.
• She has finished the assignment.

But it’s important to note that we need only two things to form a subject: a subject and a verb.

Verb and verb phrase

A verb in English either indicates the action the subject performs, or shows the state of the subject, or links the subject to its complement.

Examples (action):

1. My parents help everyone.
2. Ashish teaches amazingly.
3. I am reading a book. 

Examples (stative):

• We love this concept. 
• I understand you.
• Jon appreciates your work.

A stative verb shows the state of the subject. Click here to study stative verbs and their types in detail.

Examples (linking):

• Ashish is a teacher. (Ashish = a teacher)
• Jon was a writer.
• You are great.
• These boys are notorious.

Linking verbs link the subject to a word or a group of words (subject complement) that gives information about the subject. Click here to study subject complement in detail.

Verb phrase

All these verbs (action, stative, and linking) are main verbs. Sometimes, main verbs are combined with an auxiliary verb to show the tense and the number of the subject.

Examples:

• They are playing there.

Verb phrase = are playing
Main verb = playing
Auxiliary verb = are

• Some students were dancing in the corridor.

Verb phrase = were dancing
Main verb = dancing
Auxiliary verb = were

• I have been sitting here.

Verb phrase = have been sitting
Main verb = sitting
Auxiliary verb = have been

• I have done it.

Verb phrase = have done
Main verb = done
Auxiliary verb = have

• You can do this.

Verb phrase = can do
Main verb = do
Auxiliary verb = can

Verbs phrases and tenses

TENSES	VERB PHRASES	EXAMPLES
Present Indefinite tense	Do + V1 Does + V1 (only in negative and interrogative sentences)	I do not like cheese. Do you have my number? Does she know you? Also used in an emphatic way: I do want to work with you.
Present Continuous tense	Is/am/are + present participle (V1+ing)	Jon is sleeping.
Present Perfect tense	Has/have + past participle (V3)	I have completed the project. Max has left the company.
Present Perfect Continuous tense	Has/have + been + present participle (V1+ing)	I have been teaching English since 2014. Sneha has been waiting for some time.
Past Indefinite tense	Did + V1 (only in negative and interrogative sentences)	Did you see her last night? I did see you her night. (emphatic)
Past Continuous tense	was/were + present participle (V1+ing)	I was sleeping. We were studying.
Past Perfect tense	had + past participle (V3)	I had left his place when you called.
Past Perfect Continuous tense	Had + been + present participle (V1+ing)	We had been playing video games before the light went out.
Future Indefinite tense	Will/shall + V1	I will call you soon. We shall do it.
Future Continuous tense	Will/shall + present participle (V1+ing)	We will be studying.
Future Perfect tense	will have + past participle (V3)	He will have left before us reaching.
Future Perfect Continuous tense	will have been + present participle (V1+ing)	He will have been sleeping.

OBJECT

An object is a noun or a pronoun that receives the action. It is something or someone that the action is acted upon. It sometimes is needed to complete the meaning of the verb. Only transitive verbs take an object. Intransitive verbs can’t do that.

NOTE: an object is not always necessary to have a grammatical sentence. But with certain verbs, it’s vital to use the object of the verb to make the sentence grammatical and complete.

• I have a lot of money.

Have what? The sentence doesn’t give a clear meaning without the object. Here, the object (a lot of money) is needed to complete the sentence.

• Do you want my help?

Want what? The sentence again looks incomplete with the object (my help).

But an object is not always needed for the grammatical sanctity of the sentence. Intransitive verbs don’t take an object. Here are some examples:

• Jon slept late.
• Keep smiling.
• You can sit on my seat.
• I was shivering whem you called.

Can you sleep someone or something? No, right? You can sleep with someone or something but someone/something can’t receive this action directly. Similarly, smile, sit, and shiver are intransitive verbs. You can’t smile, sit and shiver someone or something.

Sometimes, you can avoid using a direct object after a transitive verb either. The sentence remains grammatical without it. Here are some examples to study:

• I am studying right now. Call me later.

You study something (direct object). But here, the object has not been mentioned as it’s not important or the speaker does not want to share it.

• I don’t feel like eating right now.

Eat is a transitive verb; you can eat something. But here, the object of the verb hasn’t been used, and the sentence is still grammatical without it.

Notice, the sentences make sense without the objects (italicized). But adding the object does make the sentence better. But it’s important to note that with some verbs, objects need to be used always.

A few verbs: want, love, need, have, hate, desire, admire, make

Types of objects

There are two types of objects in English:

• Direct object
• Indirect object

A direct object is someone or something that directly receives the action. It answers the question ‘what’ or ‘whom’.

An indirect object receives the direct object. It is generally a person whom the action is done for. It answers the question ‘for whom’ or ‘to whom’.

Examples:

• I love you. 

Direct object (love ‘whom’)= you

• Max plays the piano.

Direct object (play ‘what’) = the piano

• My mother gave me a phone.

Direct object (gave what) = a phone
Indirect object (who received it) = me

• Jon gifted us a dog.

Direct object (gifted what) = a dog
Indirect object (who received it) = us

Notice, in the last two examples, the indirect object receives the direct object.

Some verbs always take both direct and indirect objects, and that’s why they become a part of a sentence. Here are a few of them:

• Gift
• Give
• Pass
• Lend
• Get

Related posts:

• Direct and objects
• 4 types of objects in English
• Ditransitive verbs

COMPLEMENT

A complement is a word or a group of words that gives information about something in a sentence and completes its meaning. The core meaning of the sentence changes if the complement is removed from it.

Types of complements in English

1. Subject complement
2. Object complement
3. Verb complement
4. Adjective complement
5. Adverbial complement

TYPES OF COMPLEMENTS	DEFINITION	EXAMPLES	WHAT CAN PLAY THE ROLE?
Subject complement	A subject complement is a word or a group of words that comes after a linking verb and gives information about the subject. It either renames the subject (using a noun) or modifies it (using an adjective).	1. Tarang is a businessman. Subject complement = a business (noun phrase, renaming the subject) 2. His journey has been very difficult. Subject complement = very difficult (adjective phrase, modifying the subject)	Predicative nominative (noun or noun equivalent) or Predicative adjective (adjective or prepositional phrase)
Object complement	An object complement is something that complements the direct object: indicates that the object has become. It either renames the object (using a noun) or modifies it (using an adjective).	1. My friends call me a genius. Direct object = me Object complement = a genius (noun phrase) 2. You made Ashish upset Direct object = Ashish Object complement = upset (adjective)	Noun or adjective
Verb complement	A verb complement is usually an object that comes after a verb and completes its meaning. Without the verb complement, the sentence stops giving the same meaning and looks incomplete.	1. We enjoyed watching this show. You enjoy something. You need something to enjoy. This verb is incomplete without it. Here, ‘watching this show’ (gerund phrase) is the complement to the verb ‘enjoy’.  2. She gave me a beautiful car. Try imagining the sentence (She gave) without the objects. The sentence doesn’t make sense without the objects working as the complement to the verb.	direct object and indirect object (noun/pronoun)
Adjective complement	An adjective complement is a phrase or a clause that completes the meaning of an adjective by giving more information about it. The information helps the readers or listeners to understand the situation better. So, the information it provides is necessary in order to complete the meaning of the adjective.	1. I am not happy with your performance. Here, ‘with your performance’ is a prepositional phrase that’s working as an adjective complement. If we ended the sentence with the adjective happy, we wouldn’t have more clarity about the sentence. We wouldn’t know what the speaker is unhappy with. 2. I am happy to see you again. ‘To see you again’ is an infinitive phrase that’s coming next to the adjective ‘happy’ and telling us the reason for this state of existence.	1. Prepositional phrase 2. Adjective clause 3. Infinitive phrase
Adverbial complement	An adverbial complement is an adverb or an adverbial that completes the meaning of a verb. It helps the sentence renders the meaning it intends to give. Taking an adverbial complement out of a sentence changes the core meaning of the sentence.	1. Don’t put me in his group. In this example, the prepositional phrase ‘in his group’ is a complement to the verb (verb complement). It completes the meaning of the verb. Removing it makes the sentence incomplete and takes away its meaning. 2. I love coming here. Here, the adverb ‘here’ is a complement to the verb ‘coming’. You don’t just come; you come to a place. So, mentioning the place is important.	1. Prepositional phrase 2. Adverb

SUBJECT COMPLEMENT

A subject complement is a word or a group of words that comes after a linking verb and gives information about the subject. It either renames the subject (using a noun) or modifies it (using an adjective).

Examples:

• My father is an accountant.

Linking verb = is
Subject complement = an accountant (noun phrase, renaming the subject)

• Aakriti was the head of my team.

Linking verb = was
Subject complement = the head of my team (noun phrase, renaming the subject)

• You are amazing.

Linking verb = amazing
Subject complement = amazing (adjective, modifying the subject)

• I am happy.

Linking verb = am
Subject complement = happy (adjective, modifying the subject)

A prepositional phrase can also act as a subject complement, modifying the subject.

Examples:

• We are under pressure.
• She is in heavy debts.
• Max is in London.

NOTE: subject complements are absolutely necessary to complete a sentence and make it grammatical. Without them, sentences are incomplete and ungrammatical.

Related posts:

• Linking verbs
• Subject complement

OBJECT COMPLEMENT

An object complement is something that complements the direct object: indicates that the object has become. It either renames the object (using a noun) or modifies it (using an adjective).

Examples:

• My friends call me a genius.

Direct object = me
Object complement = a genius (noun phrase)

Removing the object complement changes the meaning of the sentence. Here, the verb ‘call’ doesn’t mean to ring. It’s used differently. They call me what? We need to know that. 

• My company made him the branch manager.

Direct object = him
Object complement = the branch manager (noun phrase)

Ask again: the company made him what? The sentence looks incomplete without the object complement.

• You made Ashish upset

Direct object = Ashish
Object complement = upset (adjective)

Here, the object complement indicates what Ashish has become: upset. It refers to the change in his state of being.

NOTE: there are only certain verbs (with a certain meaning) that will take an object complement. Only with these verbs do we need an object complement. Else, it’s not an essential part of a sentence.

Verbs that take a direct object and an object complement: 

• Make
• Call
• Name
• Consider
• Elected

VERB COMPLEMENT

Verb complement definition: a verb complement is usually an object that comes after a verb and completes its meaning. Without the verb complement, the sentence stops giving the same meaning and looks incomplete.

• Do you mind switching our seats?

‘To mind’ means to dislike. You just can’t mind; you mind something. There has to be something that you mind. I can mind your behavior, living with you, your touching me, someone living in my house, and so on. But I can’t just mind.

• I hope that you win this competition.

Here, the noun clause coming after the verb ‘hope’ is its complement. You don’t just hope; you hope something. Here, the noun clause is the verb’s complement. Without the complement, the sentence (I hope) looks incomplete.

ADJECTIVE COMPLEMENT

An adjective complement is a phrase or a clause that completes the meaning of an adjective by giving more information about it. The information helps the readers or listeners to understand the situation better. So, the information it provides is necessary in order to complete the meaning of the adjective.

I was unhappy to go there alone.

The infinitive phrase (in red) gives us information about the adjective (unhappy) and working as its complement. Without it, the sentence gives a different meaning.

Examples:

• We are excited to attend the party.
• His family and friends were devastated to hear the news of his death.
• We are really excited about Jon’s wedding.
• I am delighted that all my students have passed the exams.

ADVERBIAL COMPLEMENT

An adverbial complement is an adverb or an adverbial that completes the meaning of a verb. It helps the sentence renders the meaning it intends to give. Taking an adverbial complement out of a sentence changes the core meaning of the sentence; it takes an essential part of the sentence, unlike an adjunct.

• Don’t aim for a money fight.

‘For a money fight’ is the adverbial complement here. It is a prepositional phrase that is complementing the verb and helping it complete the correct meaning of the sentence. When used as an intransitive verb, it is followed by a prepositional phrase starting with either ‘for’ or ‘at’.

• We are aiming at the manager’s post.

When you aim at something; you plan to achieve it. Without using the prepositional phrase starting (at + object), this meaning can’t be delivered. Without the verb complement (We are aiming), the sentence is incomplete and does not render the intended meaning.

ADVERB

An adverb is a word or a group of words that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.

When it modifiers a verb, it tells us the following things:

1. Time of the action
2. Place of the action
3. Manner of the action
4. Reason of the action

Adverbs (verb modifiers) are not usually essential for the sentence, but they make the sentence more informative.

Examples:

• I went there in the evening. (place, time)
• Sam is playing upstairs. (place)
• She acts like a small baby. (manner)
• Jon is doing this to earn some extra bucks. (reason)

Adverbs can modify adjectives too. Here are some examples:

• We are not positive about the next game. (modifying the adjective ‘positive’)
• Ashish is delighted to work with us. (modifying the adjective ‘delighted’)

Adverbs can modify adverbs or complete sentences. Here are some examples:

• Fortunately, I was there to help her. (modifying the main clause)
• Jacob runs very fast. (modifying the adverb ‘fast’)

Important points to note

A) A sentence can be formed only with a subject and a verb.

There are two things we need in order to form a sentence, that is a subject and a verb.

Examples:

• We work.
• Jon cries.
• I am typing.

Note that it’s not always possible to form a sentence with these two elements. Sometimes, you need other parts like objects, subject complements, and object complements too. The selection of the elements you need to form a sentence is decided by the information you want to render.

B) A linking verb takes a subject complement.

If a sentence has a linking verb (main verb), it has to follow a subject complement. The sentence would be incomplete without a subject complement if the main verb is a linking verb.

Examples:

• My father is a doctor.

Here, my father is a subject complement. The sentence without it (My father is) incomplete. So, it’s not that you can always form a sentence with a subject and a verb. The type of the verb and what you want to say decide the elements that need to be there in a sentence (essential elements).

More examples:

• You will be very successful someday.
• We are grateful to you.
• They were great dancers.

C) Some verbs must have an object to complete the meaning of the sentence.

• I have.
• We need.
• My brother owns.

Do these sentences make complete sense? These are incomplete without the direct object. Let’s complete them adding an object of the verb.

• I have his number.
• We need some food.
• My brother owns this house.

PRACTICE SET!

Find out the subjects in the following sentences:

1. The main problem with you is your ego.
2. Some people don’t listen to anyone.
3. Either you or Max can get it done.
4. Looking at the old pictures of his mother, he started crying.
5.No-one wants to work with you anymore.
6. People who do yoga daily rarely get sick.
7. What I really want is to help you in this.
8. To go there at this time can be really dangerous.
9. Arresting his family would not help him to confess the crime.
10. Identifying the problem is the first step to remove the problem.

Answers:

1. Complete subject = the main problem with you, simple subject = problem
2. Complete subject = some people, simple subject = people
3. Compound subject = either you or Max
4. Simple subject = he
5. Simple subject = no-one
6. Complete subject = people who do yoga daily, simple subject = people
7. Complete subject = what I really want
8. Complete subject = to go there alone at this time
9. Complete subject = arresting his family
10. Complete subject = identifying the problem

Now you know what a sentence is and what essential parts it has. Do share the lesson with others to help, and do share your questions and doubts in the comment section.

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