THE SENTENCE : ENGLISH GRAMMAR

 Lesson 1: The Sentence

 When we speak or write we use words. We generally use these words in groups; 

For Example: 

•    Honesty is the best policy. .

A group of words like this, which makes complete sense, is called a Sentence. 

Kinds of Sentences

 Sentences are of four kinds:

(1) A sentence that makes a statement or assertion is called a Declarative or Assertive sentence. The sentence which make statements or assertions. It always ends with a full stop(.)

 For example; Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.   

(2) A sentence that asks a question is called an Interrogative sentence. Those in which we  ask questions. These type of sentences can be easily identified by the question mark (?) at the end of the sentence.

 In other words we can generally say that we use interrogative sentence to ask a question in order to get information about something.

 For Example:  Where do you live?

Types of Interrogative Sentences

• 1.Wh- interrogatives (Questions are framed with Wh words like who, when ,where, what, why ,whose, whom, how).
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• 2. Alternative interrogatives.
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• 3. Yes/ No interrogatives.
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• 4. Tag questions.
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(3) A sentence that expresses a command or an entreaty is called an Imperative sentence. Those which express commands, requests, or entreaties. For example, the sentence “Wash the dinner plates” commands the implied subject to wash the dishes.

For example. Please be quiet. ( Request)

Shut the door (order)

 

(4)  A sentence that expresses strong feeling is called an Exclamatory sentence. Those which express Sudden or strong feelings. 

For example: How cold the night is! 

You are amazing !

   Re- write the following sentences, changing the verbs into negative and interrogative.

 

 

 

 

Example: - 1 she works hard.

 

 

 

 

She does not (doesn’t) work hard .(negative)

 

 

 

Does she work hard? (interogative)

 

 

 

 

1. They speak English well.

 

 

2. You know her address.

 

 

3. These girls learn music everyday.

 

 

4. He likes to play football.

 

5. I drink a lot of tea.

 

 

6. The mason is building the wall.

 

 

7. You are waiting for me.

 

 

8. You have bought a new car this year.

 

 

9. I went to bed early last night.

 

 

10. A cool breeze was blowing.

 

 

 

 

Answers

 

 

Q1. Re- write the following sentences,

 

 

 Change to Negative and Interrogative.

 

 

 

 

Example: - 1. She works hard.  (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

 

    She does not (doesn’t) work hard. (Negative)

 

 

 

    Does she work hard? (Interrogative)

 

 

 

 

1. They speak English well. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

    Negative: They do not speak English well.

 

 

 

    Interrogative:  Do they speak English well?

 

 

 

 

2. You know her address. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

      Negative: You do not know her address.

 

 

 

    Interrogative:  Do you know her address?

 

 

 

 

 

3. These girls learn music every day. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

    Negative: These girls do not learn music every day.

 

 

   Interrogative: Do these girls lean music every day?

 

 

 

 

4. He likes to play football. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

     Negative: He does not like to play football.

 

 

 

   Interrogative:  Does he like to play football?

 

 

 

 

5. I drink a lot of tea. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

     Negative: I do not drink a lot of tea.

 

 

 

   Interrogative:  Do drink a lot of tea?

 

 

 

 

6. The mason is building the wall. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

     Negative: The mason is not building the wall.

 

 

 

   Interrogative:  Is the mason building the wall?

 

 

 

 

 

7. You are waiting for me. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

     Negative: You are not waiting for me.

 

 

 

   Interrogative:  Are you waiting for me?

 

 

 

 

8. You have bought a new car this year. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

     Negative: You have not bought a new car this year.

 

 

 

   Interrogative:  Have you bought a new car this year?

 

 

 

 

9. I went to bed early last night. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

     Negative: I did not go to bed early last night.

 

 

 

   Interrogative:  Did I go to bed early last night?

 

 

 

 

10. A cool breeze was blowing. (Affirmative Sentence)

 

 

 

       Negative: A cool breeze was not blowing.

 

 

 

    Interrogative:  Was a cool breeze blowing? 

let's summarize

A Sentence is group of words which makes a complete sense. It can be of 4 types :

Sentence Type	Purpose	Example
Declarative Sentence	Make a statement (.)	I am a student.
Interrogative Sentence	Ask a question (?)	Are you a student?
Imperative Sentence	Give a command	Welcome the new student.
Exclamatory Sentence	Form an expression (!)	There are so many students here !