Types of Sentences:
SIMPLE, COMPOUND & COMPLEX.
1. Types of sentences:
A sentence has two main parts, a subject Noun Phrase and a predicate phrase. The predicate phrase must have a verb in it.
A ‘clause’ has a structure like a sentence. It has a subject and a verb in the predicate phrase. A clause may be a sentence by itself or it may be a part of a sentence.
Sentences are of three types i.e. simple, compound and complex.
1. Simple: Rahul worked hard.
2. Compound: Rahul worked hard but (he) failed in the examination.
3. Complex. Though Rahul worked hard, he failed in the examination.
Notice that in the simple sentence (1), there is only one clause (a sentence with subject ‘Rahul’ and a finite verb ‘worked ‘ in the predicate phrase)
In the compound sentence (2), there are two clauses.
(i) Rahul worked hard.
(ii) But (he) failed in the examination.
(Notice that each clause contains a subject and a finite verb in the predicate phrase)
In the complex sentence (3), there are also two clauses.
(i) Though Rahul worked hard…
(iii) He failed in the examination.
(Each of the two clauses contains a subject and a finite verb in the predicate phrases) Now look at the diagram given below and see the difference between simple sentences on the one hand and compound and complex sentences on the other.
Sentence
A. One clause B. More than one clasue
A(i).Simple B(i). Compound B(ii). Complex
The simple Sentence
Study the following sentences:
(i) Birds fly.
(ii) He is working in the field.
(iii) I have completed my work.
(iv) They have been playing in the play ground.
(v) Who came here?
(vi) Father gave me a book.
Each of these sentences has a subject and a fine verb in its predicate phrase. A finite verb is a verb that show ‘tense’, present or past. A sentence which consists of only one clause that can stand by itself is called a Simple Sentence.
EXERCISE-1
Underline the finite verbs and pick out the Simple Sentences form the following list of sentences. (Remember that a simple sentence has only one clause with one finite verb in the predicate phrase).
- The weather was cold.
- They elected him secretary of the club.
- Rabi is playing but his borher is speeping.
- My neighbour lent me his bicycle.
- I have bought a watch which shows the date.
- Have you written the essay.
- We haven’t met after he went to college.
- They have painted the house, which now looks nice.
- The train had left before I arrived at the station.
- They have been studying for two hours.
Kinds of Simple Sentences:
Simple sentences may be of the following kinds:
(A) Declarative/Affirmative- You are clever.
(B) Interrogative – Are you busy?
(C). Negative – He is not a doctor.
(D) Interrogative and Negative- Is that movie not interesting?
(E) Imperative- Be careful.
(F) Exclamatory – How clever he is!
(A) Declarative/Affirmative:
- My father is a teacher.
- He went to Puri yesterday.
- Ramesh will surely win the prize this year.
- He looks tired.
Each of the above sentences is a statement. Sentences (i) and (ii) state facts and sentences (iii) and (iv) state opinions.
Look at the main patterns of the simple sentence sin English. Note the different parts of the sentences in each pattern.
| 1. Subject + Verb | Subject | Verb (Intransitive) |
| i. | The child | Laughed |
| ii. | She | Was shouting |
| iii. | The sun | Has set. |
| 2. Subject + Verb + Object | Subject | Verb (Transitive) | Object |
| i. | Somebody | Caught | The ball |
| ii. | The boy | Wrote | an essay |
| iii. | The postman | rang | the bell |
| iv. | We | may buy | a computer. |
| 3. Subject + Verb + Object+ Object | Subject | Verb (Transitive) | Object(Direct) | Object(Indirect) |
| i. | The postman | gave | me | a letter. |
| ii. | His father | bought | him | a bicycle. |
| iii. | The teacher | asked | the boys | a question. |
| iv. |
| 4. Subject + Verb + Complement | Subject | Verb | Complement |
| i. | Mr Rath | Is | A doctor |
| ii. | This pen | Is | Cheap |
| iii. | She | Looks | Beautiful |
| iv. | Mary | Is | In the house |
| v. | He | Became | Tired |
| vi. | He | Appears | Innocent |
| vii. | He | Has | Confidence |
| viii. | I | Feel | Cold |
| Ix | This flower | Smells | sweet |
(For details see Class IX Grammar book)
| 4. Subject + Verb + Object +Complement | Subject | Verb(Transitive) | Object | Complement |
| i. | We | Have proved | Him | Wrong |
| ii. | They | Elected | Him | Chairman |
| iii. | The book | Has made | Him | Famous |
Adjuncts additional elements which can be added.
They are not essential parts, but may be necessary to make the sentences more meaningful.
Examples:
(i) SVA – The child laughed loudly. (Adjunct)
(ii) SVOA – The boy wrote an essay in the class. (Adjunct)
(B) Interrogative sentences:
Sentences which are used to ask question are called ‘Interrogative Sentences: An interrogative sentence may be a ‘Yes’/ ‘No’ question or a ‘Wh-“ question.
Did you go to Cuttack? (‘Yes/No’ question)
Who broke the window? (‘Wh-‘ question)
(C). Negative:
Sentences which are used to deny, to refuse , to disagree with someone or something is called negative sentence.
(D) Interrogative and Negative- Is that movie not interesting?
…..
(E) Imperative Sentences:
- Pass me the salt.
- Please have another cup of tea.
- Rise early in the morning.
- March ahead, soldiers.
- Have mercy upon us.
- Take this medicine after food.
- Beware of the dog.
- Have a good time.
- Let’s go for a walk.
In these sentences the subject ‘you’ is not mentioned. These sentences express an order(i), a request (ii) , advice (iii), command (iv), prayer (v), instruction (vi), warning (vii), good wishes (viii), suggestion (ix). In such sentences:
- The subject ‘you ‘ is usually not expressed.
- The verb is in the base form.
- The sentence can be made negative.
- It has no change in tense, aspect, voice and modality.
(F) Exclamatory Sentence:
Look at the following sentences:
- How beautifully she dances!
- What a clever boy he is!
- How fast time flies!
- What a fine singer he is!
Sentences such as these express ‘surprise’, ‘admiration’, ‘sorrow’ and other feelings in an emphatic way. They are known as ‘Exclamatory sentences’.
Exclamatory sentences usually begin with ‘How’ or ‘What’. Moreover, an exclamation mark (!) is put at the end of the exclamatory sentence.
EXERCISE-2
Turn the following sentences into exclamation with ‘How/What’:
Example: I am very unfortunate.
-How unfortunate I am!
He is a very stupid boy.
-What a stupid boy he is!
- it is a very interesting story.
- That was shocking news.
- He speaks very quickly.
- The weather is very pleasant today.
- You are very selfish.
- He is playing very badly today.
- He has got very sharp memory.
Exercise-3
How to make a bowl of boiled rice? Use the given verbs in the correct blank spaces to complete the instructions:
[pour, keep, cover, wash, take, put]
___________ a cup of rice, ___________ It properly in a bowl and ___________ it separately. _________ a pot on fire with three cups of water in it. When the water starts to boil, _________ in the washed rice. _________ the port with a lid and let the rice simmer for five minutes. Then the rice grains will be tender and it will be ready to serve.
AFFIRMATION & NEGATION
All the sentences given as examples of Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative and Exclamatiry sentences express something in a positive way. They affirm something. They are ‘Affirmative’ sentences.
Now look at the following sentences.
He is not a student.
She never goes to the cinema.
Isn’t he sincere?
Don’t come here.
We have used negative markers such as ‘not’ (or n’t) and ‘never’ in these sentences. Theses sentences are negative in meaning and are called “Negative Sentences”.
Compound Sentences with two or more than two ‘main clasues’):
Look at the following sentences:
(i) I can speak English but I cannot speak Hindi.
(ii) Deven worked hard and got a first division.
In (i), we have two independent clauses.
(a) I can speak Englsih, (b) I cannot speak Hindi.
In (ii), we have also two independent clauses.
(a) Deven worked hard, (b) (he) got a first division. These independent clauses have been joined by ‘but’ in (i) and by ‘and’ in (ii) . Independent clauses joined by the conjunctions such as and, but, etc. are called coordinate clauses and the conjunctions which join them are called coordinatiors or coordinate conjunctions.
Sentences in which two or more independent clauses are joined by coordinate conjunctions are called ‘compound senteces’.
Let’s look at some more examples of compound sentences:
Coordinators Compound sentences
1. AND ……………………………. The postman came and (he) delivered the letter.
2. But …………………………… He tried to open the door but the door was locked.
3. Yet …………………………… He is not rich yet he is happy.
4. Still …………………………… He rebuked me, still I was not angry.
5. Neverthless/Notwithstanding .. I am ill with fever nevertheless I shall sit for the examination.
6. Or …………………………… You may stay here or go home.
7. Otherwise …………………………… Work hard, otherwise you will fail.
8. So …………………………… I was tired, so I went to bed early.
9. Therefore …………………………… It rained heavily, therefore I could not go out.
10. For …………………………… He couldn’t speak, for he was overcome with grief.
11. Either …or …………………………… Either he is mad, or he feigns madness.
12. Neither …nor …………………………… I neither drink tea nor smoke cigarettes.
13. Not only…but also … ……………… She not only sings melodiously but also dances well.
14. Both …and …………………………… Minakshi can both sing and dance. (Not used in negative sentences)
[Note:- ‘Either…or’, ‘Neither …nor’, ‘not only….but also’, ‘Both…and’ are called correlative conjunctions as they form a ‘pair’ and are related to each other].
Correlatives join the same type of parts of speech.
(i) He not only gave me money but also allowed me shelter.(Correct)
(ii) He gave me not only money but also allowed me shelter. (Incorrect)
In sentence (i), ‘ not only’ is followed by the verb ‘gave’ and ‘but also’ is followed by the verb ‘allowed’. So this sentence is grammatical and acceptable.
But in sentence (ii), ‘not only’ is followed by the noun ‘money’ and ‘ but also’ is followed by the verb ‘allowed’. So this sentence is ungrammatical and unacceptable.
Look at the following sentences:
(i) He took his meal and went to school.
In this sentence ‘he’ is the subject in both the clauses. So the subject ‘he’ is dropped in the second clause.
(ii) They are sitting and talking about politics.
If we break this sentence into clauses, we find.
(a) They are sitting
(b) And they are taking about politics.
Here the subject ‘they’ and the auxiliary ‘are’, are common in both the clauses. So here in the compound sentences both the ‘subject’ and the ‘auxiliary’ are dropped in the second clause.
EXERCISE-4
Combine each pair of sentences into a compound sentence. Use one of the co-ordinating conjunctions and, but, or, so, yet, for, otherwise.
- He shot an arrow at the deer. The deer escaped.
- They insulted him. He was not angry.
- She could not speak. She was overcome by grief.
- He must work hard. He will fail.
- You may write the essay now. You may write the eassay after an hour.
- He entered the room. He shut the door.
- It was going to rain. He took and umbrella.
- The knife is not sharp. It doesn’t cut well.
- This curry smells nice. It doesn’t taste good.
- You can fly. You can go by bus.
Execercise-5
Combine each pair of sentences into a compound sentence. Use one of the correlatives: ‘either..or’, ‘neither…nor’, ‘not only…but also’, ‘both…and’,
- You may visit the zoo on Sunday. You may go out for a walk on Sunday.
- He gave us a good dinner. He also drove us back home.
- He is watching TV. He is listening to the radio.
- She draws pictures neatly. She also paints them beautifully.
- The soldiers captured the city. They also destroyed it.
- He is not smart. He si not clever.
- Mr. Rath doesn’t won a car. He doesn’t want to have one.
- The lady was beautiful. The lady was respectable.
- Socrtes was arrested. He was also sentenced to death.
- His father will come here. His mother will come hre.
- The artists will sing for us. They will dance for us.
The Complex Sentence:
Look at the following sentences:
(a) I know that he is a good boy.
(b) I have a box which contains old clothes.
(c.) My father arrived when I was just going out.
Each of the above sentences has two clauses. In (a) there are two clauses (i) I know (ii) that he is a good boy. In (b) (i) I have a box, (ii) which contains old clothes and in (c).(i) My father arrived (ii) when I was just going out . In each of the sentences clauses (i) is independent but clause (ii) of each sentence is dependent. “That he is a good boy”. “Which contains old clothes”, “When just going out” cannot stand independently as they depend on clause-(i) to give e a clear meaning. Therefore they are known as “Subordinate clause”
Thus sentences which consist of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses are called “complex sentence”. Each of the three sentences given above is a complex sentence having one main clause and one sub-ordinate clause.
Now look at the following complex sentences which consist of one main clause and more than one subordinate clause. The subordinate clause are italicized.
(i) I believe that he is clever and that he can do any hard work.
(ii) The boy whom I met at the station said that he was going to his village for a week.
(iii) When the sunset the boys returned to the camp where they would spend the night.
Diagram of the Different types of Sentences.
Sentences
One Clause More than one Clause
Simple
| One Main clause + One or more than one subordinate clauses (Complex) |
| Two or more Co-ordinate clauses (Compound) |
Kind of sub-ordinate clauses:
Sub-ordinate clauses are of three types:
(i) Noun clauses.
(ii) Relative or Adjective clauses.
(iii) Adverb Clauses.
(iv) Adverb clauses.
[These subordinate clauses have been dealt with in detail in other chapters.]
EXERCISE-6
Identify the simple, the compound and the complex sentences and arrange them in separate groups.
- He stood up and asked me a question.
- Who told you to go home?
- If you trun the witch, the motor will start.
- Wait here until I return.
- A valuable ring was found yesterday.
- The boy described what he had seen in the zoo.
- I came, I saw and I conquered.
- They had arrived before we were able to tell them that they would be arrested by the police.
- The people who have been to the moon say that there is no water there.
Exercise-7
Break up each of the following sentences into separate clauses. Mark the main clause as M.C. and the subordinate clause as SC :
- It was so dark that you couldn’t see your hand.
- As he was not there, I spoke to his father.
- The king said that he would not buy the horse.
- Whatever you do, do well.
- There was a philosopher who chose to live in a tub.
- How long I shall stay here is doubtful.
- The law will punish whosoever is guilty.
- All that glitters is not gold.
- The horse shook his head wildly so that no man could ride him.
- This is the place where I saw the accident that took place last month.