Effective communication is a crucial skill in both academic and professional life. Whether you’re writing an essay, delivering a speech, or engaging in everyday conversations, your ability to construct meaningful sentences plays a vital role in conveying your thoughts clearly. Understanding the definition, structure, and types of sentences will enhance your writing and speaking skills, making your communication more engaging and effective. In this comprehensive guide, brought to you by BD JOBZ PREPARATION, we will explore the meaning of sentences, their different types, and examples to help you master sentence construction with ease.
Read More: Clause: Definition and Types with Examples and Exercises
Sentence: Definition, Meaning, Types, and Examples
Sentences are the fundamental unit of communication in any language. It expresses a complete thought and conveys meaning through different structures and functions. Sentences can take various forms, including statements, questions, commands, and exclamations. Understanding the types of sentences and how they are constructed is essential for effective communication.
In this article, we will explore the definition of a sentence, its components, different types based on structure and function, and provide examples for better comprehension.
Definition of a Sentence
A sentence is a group of words arranged in a particular order to convey a complete thought. It typically consists of a subject and a verb and ends with a period (.), an exclamation mark (!), or a question mark (?).
According to Merriam-Webster, a sentence is “a word, clause, phrase, or group of clauses or phrases forming a syntactic unit that expresses an assertion, a question, a command, a wish, or an exclamation.”
Examples:
- Sophia loves painting.
- The sun rises in the east.
- Where are you going?
- Wow! That’s an amazing performance!
Parts of a Sentence
Sentence consist of different parts, each serving a specific function. Understanding these components helps in constructing grammatically correct sentences.
1. Subject
The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that performs the action or is being described. It is typically a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.
Example:
- Olivia writes poetry. (Olivia is the subject.)
2. Predicate
The predicate contains the verb and provides information about the subject. It tells what the subject does or describes its state.
Example:
- Olivia writes poetry. (Writes poetry is the predicate.)
3. Object
The object is the recipient of the action performed by the subject. It can be direct or indirect.
Example:
- Daniel gave Emma a gift. (Emma is the indirect object, and a gift is the direct object.)
Types of Sentences
Sentences can be classified based on their structure and function.
Sentences Based on Structure
1. Simple Sentence
Simple sentences consist of one independent clause with a subject and a verb, expressing a complete thought.
Examples:
- Lily plays the piano.
- They went to the park.
2. Compound Sentence
Compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon.
Examples:
- Jack enjoys reading, but Mia prefers watching movies.
- I wanted to go for a walk; however, it started raining.
3. Complex Sentence
Complex sentences consist of one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause, joined by a subordinating conjunction (because, although, since, while, etc.).
Examples:
- Although she was tired, she continued working.
- I will call you when I reach home.
4. Compound-Complex Sentence
Compound-complex sentences have at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
Examples:
- While I was studying, my brother watched TV, and my sister played outside.
- She went to bed early because she was tired, but she couldn’t sleep.
Sentences Based on Function
1. Declarative (Assertive) Sentence
Declarative sentences make a statement and end with a period.
Examples:
- The Earth revolves around the Sun.
- I love reading books.
2. Interrogative Sentence
Interrogative sentences ask a question and end with a question mark.
Examples:
- Where are you going?
- Do you like ice cream?
3. Imperative Sentence
Imperative sentences give a command, request, or instruction.
Examples:
- Please close the door.
- Don’t touch that!
4. Exclamatory Sentence
Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions and end with an exclamation mark.
Examples:
- What a beautiful painting!
- Oh no! I forgot my keys.
5. Optative Sentence
Optative sentences express a wish, prayer, or hope.
Examples:
- May you live a long life!
- Wish you all the best!
Importance of Understanding Sentences
Mastering different types of sentences improves communication skills and enhances both spoken and written language. Using a variety of sentences makes writing more engaging and effective.
Key Benefits:
- Enhances clarity in communication.
- Improves writing skills.
- Helps in academic and professional success.
Read More: Pronouns: Definitions, Types, Examples & Uses
Sentences are a fundamental element of language, serving as the foundation for communication. By understanding the different types of sentences, their structures, and their functions, one can communicate ideas more clearly and effectively. Practicing different sentence forms will help in improving both verbal and written communication skills.
Questions & Answers of Different Job Exams
Previous job questions are very important for coming exams. For job exams like BCS, BJSC, NTRCA, Primary, and other government job exams you will find these questions. So a candidate must read these questions very carefully. We have finished the Sentence chapter. So now we need to practice more and more. The more you practice the more you become confident. Here we have discussed one hundred forty previous job questions on Sentence. The answer to each question is in Bold.
Previous Job Exam Question on Sentence: Part One
1. Sentences are a _
- (a) group of words
- (b) collection of words
- (c) group of words that makes a complete sense
- (d) part of paragraph
Ans: (c) group of words that makes a complete sense
2. Sentences are a group of words that express a complete
- (a) thought
- (b) paragraph
- (c) fragment
- (d) predicate
Ans: (a) thought
3. When we write sentences_
- (a) the object comes first
- (b) the predicate comes first
- (c) the subject comes first
- (d) the person comes first
Ans: (c) the subject comes first
4. Sentences must have
- (a) statement
- (b) description
- (c) group of words
- (d) subject and a finite verb
Ans: (d) subject and a finite verb
5. Because sentences must contain a subject and a verb, how many parts do sentences have
- (a) one
- (b) two
- (c) three
- (d) three is on hard and fast rule
Ans: (b) two
6. In English grammar how many essential parts must every sentence have?
- (a) one
- (b) two
- (c) three
- (d) four
Ans: (b) two
7. A ‘subject’ means
- (a) The agent of a sentence
- (b) The preceding of the adjective
- (c) The modifier of the sentence
- (d) The syntax of the sentence
Ans: (a) The agent of a sentence
8. Which one is the subject in the sentence? “To defrost the fridge takes ages.”
- (a) fridge
- (b) to defrost
- (c) frost
- (d) to defrost the fridge
Ans: (d) to defrost the fridge
9. The ‘predicate’ is a group of words which
- (a) denotes the statement
- (b) describe the subject
- (c) helps the subject
- (d) tells about the subject
Ans: (d) tells about the subject
10. The predicate of sentences are
- (a) a verb
- (b) a person about whom something is said
- (c) what is said about subject
- (d) which determines the subject
Ans: (c) what is said about subject
11. Assertive sentences mean
- (a) we affirm what is said
- (b) a negative form
- (c) a simple statement
- (d) comment or order
Ans: (c) a simple statement
12. “The boy has a book.” What kind of sentence is this?
- (a) Imperative
- (b) Negative
- (c) Optative
- (d) Assertive
Ans: (d) Assertive
13. ‘The wind is unfavorable.’ What kind of sentence is this?
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Interrogative
- (c) Imperative
- (d) Optative
Ans: (a) Assertive
14. Which one is the correct statement?
- (a) Do as I tell you.
- (b) Man is mortal.
- (c) Past is went.
- (d) Does I tell you?
Ans: (b) Man is mortal.
15. What type of sentence is it? “I wish you success in life.”
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Negative
- (c) Optative
- (d) Exclamatory
Ans: (a) Assertive
16. Which one is an interrogative sentence?
- (a) He reads a book.
- (b) Does he read a book?
- (c) He has read a book.
- (d) He will read a book.
Ans: (b) Does he read a book?
17. “Don’t you turn up in the meeting ever again?” What type of sentence is it?
- (a) interrogative
- (b) imperative
- (c) exclamatory
- (d) none of these
Ans: (a) Interrogative
18. Choose the correct sentence.
- (a) Do he have a house?
- (b) Does he have a house?
- (c) Does he has a house?
- (d) Do he has a house?
Ans: (b) Does he have a house?
19. Which one is an Interrogative sentence?
- (a) He reads a book.
- (b) Does he read a book?
- (c) He as read a book.
- (d) He will read a book.
Ans: (b) Does he read a book?
20. Choose the correct interrogative.
- (a) How old is Anis?
- (b) What is the age of Anis?
- (c) How the age of Anis is?
- (d) How many years Anis is?
Ans: (a) How old is Anis?
Previous Job Exam Question on Sentence: Part Two
1. Choose the correct sentence
- (a) How old are you?
- (b) How you are old?
- (c) How old you are?
- (d) How are you old?
2. Choose the correct sentence from the following options.
- (a) How the servant does the work?
- (b) How do the servant does the work?
- (c) How doe the servant the work?
- (d) How does the servant do the work?
- (a) How often you
- (b) How often you do
- (c) How often do you
- (d) How often are
- (a) you are feeling
- (b) you feel
- (c) are you feeling
- (d) are you feels
- (a) I feel unwell.
- (b) I have a headache.
- (c) I wish I could fly.
- (d) How you like it.
- (a) How often do you visit your relatives?
- (b) How many homeworks do you get each week?
- (c) There is a few water in the glass.
- (d) She is not old as she looks.
- (a) Exclamatory
- (b) Optative
- (c) Imperative
- (d) Interrogative
- (a) Will you go to the park?
- (b) You will go to the park?
- (c) Will go you to the park?
- (d) Go will you to the park?
- (a) Which book you are reading?
- (b) Which book you reading?
- (c) Which book are you reading?
- (d) Which book your are reading?
- (a) for what is Dhaka famous?
- (b) What is Dhaka famous for?
- (c) Dhaka is famous for what?
- (d) Why is Dhaka being famous?
- (a) How was Gora written?
- (b) Who wrote Gora?
- (c) When was Gora written?
- (d) None of the above
- (a) What means this word?
- (b) What does mean this word?
- (c) What does this word mean?
- (d) What is this word mean?
- (a) You come from where?
- (b) Where you are come from?
- (c) Where do you come from?
- (a) Where did it happen?
- (b) Where is happened?
- (c) Where was it happened?
- (d) Where happened it?
- (a) Tell me why have you come here?
- (b) When you passed your Diploma Examination?
- (c) Why you are angry with me?
- (d) What time did you go to bed last night?
- (a) you did
- (b) did you do
- (c) had you done
- (d) did you
- (a) did you talked
- (b) you talked
- (c) talked you
- (d) did you talk
- (a) the poet
- (b) is the poet
- (c) does the poet
- (d) do every poet
- (a) Why have you done this?
- (b) Why you have done this?
- (c) Why did you have done this?
- (d) Why you had done this?
- (a) imperative
- (b) affirmative
- (c) interrogative
- (d) none
Previous Job Exam Question on Sentence: Part Three
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Optative
- (c) Interrogative
- (d) Imperative
- (a) Optative
- (b) Imperative
- (c) Exclamatory
- (d) None of them
- (a) Be quiet and listen to my words.
- (b) How beautiful the flower is!
- (c) Do you go to club?
- (d) I go to school everyday.
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Imperative
- (c) Interrogative
- (d) Optative
- (a) Come and do my guest.
- (b) Come and be my guest.
- (c) Come and is my guest.
- (d) Come and has my guest.
- (a) Do it at once.
- (b) You read it attentively.
- (c) I wish your success in life.
- (d) Does he go to school?
- (a) I shall go
- (b) Go home
- (c) You did it
- (d) She is eating.
- (a) Simple
- (b) Imperative
- (c) Complex
- (d) Compound
- (a) Simple
- (b) Optative
- (c) Assertive
- (d) Imperative
- (a) What a wonderful picture it is!
- (b) Get some cold water form the fridge.
- (c) May God bless you.
- (d) They bought some utensils from the shop.
- (a) Please help me carry the box.
- (b) He has grown many herbs in his garden
- (c) Where had you been so long?
- (d) How nicely you have dressed yourself!
- (a) Interrogative
- (b) Imperative
- (c) Assertive
- (a) imperative
- (b) interrogative
- (c) simple
- (d) complex
- (a) Imperative
- (b) Optative
- (c) Exclamatory
- (d) Assertive
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Optative
- (c) Exclamatory
- (d) Imperative
- (a) Alas! My grandpa is no more.
- (b) Don’t you know that you need some time on your own?
- (c) Pick up the garbage and put this into the bin.
- (d) Jerry and I have been friends since childhood.
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Imperative
- (c) Optative
- (d) Exclamatory
- (a) Repeat it again.
- (b) Repeat it.
- (c) Repeats it again.
- (d) Repeat it against.
- (a) I shall go.
- (b) She is dancing.
- (c) You will sit here.
- (d) Sit down.
- (a) Stop reading loudly.
- (b) We live in a remote village.
- (c) May you be happy.
- (d) When will he come?
Previous Job Exam Question on Sentence: Part Four
- (a) We live in a village.
- (b) Stop writing.
- (c) May you be happy.
- (d) When will he arrive?
- (a) How beautiful the flower is!
- (b) Never tell a lie.
- (c) Do you drink tea?
- (d) We drink milk every day.
- (a) What a pity!
- (b) Go you must.
- (c) May Allah bless you.
- (d) Help people with low income.
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Imperative
- (c) Optative
- (d) Exclamatory
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Optative
- (c) Exclamatory
- (d) Imperative
- (a) Affirmative
- (b) Assertive
- (c) Optative
- (d) Exclamatory
- (a) You should take care of your health.
- (b) I hope you will be able to get over your tensions.
- (c) May God speed up your recovery.
- (d) It’s better to pa attention to your daughter’s education.
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Optative
- (c) Interrogative
- (d) Imperative
- (a) live
- (b) lives
- (c) lived
- (d) living
- (a) Compound sentence
- (b) Exclamatory sentence
- (c) Interrogative sentence
- (d) None of the above
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Exclamatory
- (c) Optative
- (d) Interrogative
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Exclamatory
- (c) Optative
- (d) Negative
- (a) Exclamatory
- (b) Optative
- (c) Imperative
- Assertive
- (a) Assertive
- (b) Optative
- (c) Imperative
- (d) Exclamatory
- (a) Where are your luggages?
- (b) Can you give an advice?
- (c) What beautiful sceneries!
- (d) What an awful weather!
- (a) two clause
- (b) one clause
- (c) three clause
- (d) four clause
- (a) Only one subject and many verbs
- (b) Only one subject and one finite verb
- (c) Only one subject and two verbs
- (d) A subordinate clause
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) assertive
- (a) Read or write.
- (b) My younger brother and his friends play football in the national team.
- (c) I know the house where he lives.
- (d) I know that he will come here soon.
- (a) simple
- (b) compound
- (c) complex
- (d) none of these
Previous Job Exam Question on Sentence: Part Five
- (a) The sun rose and the fog dispersed.
- (b) The fog being dispersed, the sun rose.
- (c) When the sun rose, the fog dispersed.
- (d) The sun having risen, the fog dispersed.
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) multiple
- (a) complex
- (b) simple
- (c) compound
- (d) negative
- (a) compound
- (b) simple
- (c) complex
- (d) optative
- (a) He is weak but is a hard worker.
- (b) Though he is weak, he works hard.
- (c) In spite of being weak, he works hard.
- (d) He is weak and hard worker.
- (a) I know that he is rich.
- (b) He is very weak, so he cannot walk.
- (c) In spite of his poverty, he is happy.
- (d) How soon he has come.
- (a) In spite of his poverty, he is happy.
- (b) I know that he is rich.
- (c) Do or die.
- (d) I respect him as he loves me.
- (a) He is poor but honest.
- (b) Though he is poor, he is honest.
- (c) In spite of his poverty, he is honest.
- (d) He is poor and honest.
- (a) Complex
- (b) Compound
- (c) Simple
- (d) Negative
- (a) If I make a promise I keep it.
- (b) You can talk as much as you like.
- (c) While there is life there is hope.
- (d) He will pay only under compulsion.
- (a) The Headmaster of our school is always ready to help the students.
- (b) Do or die.
- (c) I know the man who came ere.
- (d) The boy who came here is my brother.
- (a) simple
- (b) imperative
- (c) complex
- (d) exclamatory
- (a) I know the place where he lives.
- (b) It is the place where he lives.
- (c) I know the place of his living.
- (d) In know this places he lives here.
- (a) I saw that he was reading.
- (b) I saw him reading.
- (c) I saw him when he was reading.
- (d) I saw a man who was boring.
- (a) I want a car that I can drive.
- (b) I want a car to drive.
- (c) She danced as if she were an expert dancer.
- (d) I know what her name is.
- (a) simple
- (b) compound
- (c) complex
- (d) gerund
- (a) compound
- (b) simple
- (c) complex
- (d) negative
- (a) complex
- (b) compound
- (c) simple
- (d) none of them
- (a) simple
- (b) imperative
- (c) complex
- (d) exclamatory
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) complex-compound
Previous Job Exam Question: Part Six
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) incorrect
- (d) compound
- (a) assertive
- (b) simple
- (c) compound
- (d) complex
- (a) complex
- (b) compound
- (c) simple
- (d) none of them
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) complex-compound
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) compound-complex
- (a) Being a cold day, we did not go out.
- (b) A cold day, we did not go out.
- (c) It being a cold day, we did not go out.
- (d) It having a cold day, we did not go out.
- (a) One principal clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
- (b) One subject and more subordinate clauses.
- (c) One principal verb and ne clause.
- (d) None
- (a) Let them do this or they will die.
- (b) Work hard or you can’t prosper in life.
- (c) Move or you will die.
- (d) If he helps us, we shall win.
- (a) Negative
- (b) Complex
- (c) Compound
- (d) None of them
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) compound-complex
- (a) complex
- (b) compound
- (c) simple
- (d) imperative
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) compound-complex
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) complex-compound
- (a) Though Rajib is ill, he regularly attends classes.
- (b) Despite his illness, he regularly attends classes.
- (c) In spite his illness, he regularly attends classes.
- (d) Rajib is ill, but regularly attends classes.
- (a) He confessed his crime.
- (b) The management is thoroughly bad.
- (c) He finished his exercise and put away his books.
- (d) He bought the library which belonged to his uncle.
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) Exclamatory
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) multiple
- (a) He is a boy.
- (b) He is a good boy.
- (c) Though he is wealthy, he is miser.
- (d) In spite of his wealth, he is a miser.
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d)conditional
- (a) The water being very hot, I couldn’t drink.
- (b) Since the water was very hot, I couldn’t drink it.
- (c) Being poor, Jim by a chain.
- (d) Because of his playing well, he won the game.
Previous Job Exam Question: Part Seven
- (a) I wanted to see my ailing father and so I went home.
- (b) I went home in order that I might see my ailing father.
- (c) I went home to see my ailing father.
- (d) I went seeing my ailing father.
- (a) complex
- (b) compound
- (c) simple
- (d) exclamatory
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) none of them
- (a) compound
- (b) complex
- (c) simple
- (d) exclamatory
- (a) If I know this before!
- (b) Do you not repent for this?
- (c) A villain alone can do it.
- (d) I know why he is silent.
- (a) The child is too little to speak.
- (b) Who does not wish to be happy.
- (c) I know when he will arrive.
- (d) Make haste or you will miss the train.
- (a) I know when he will come.
- (b) I know the time of his arrival.
- (c) When he will come is known.
- (d) He will come and I know it.
- (a) You must hurry, or you will miss the train.
- (b) It was owing to his teacher that he succeeded.
- (c) In spite of his being a mere boy, he offered to fight the giant.
- (d) Having finished his exercise, he put away his books.
- (a) Nazma asked some favour of her friends.
- (b) Kaiser is such a good man that you can fully rely on him.
- (c) Rahim says what he means and he means what he says.
- (d) Grief turned his hair gray.
- (a) Despite his poverty, he is honest
- (b) Having reached in London, He will attend a conference.
- (c) he is poor but honest.
- (d) The man who came here this morning is my brother.
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) imperative
- (a) complex
- (b) compound
- (c) simple
- (d) affirmative
- (a) simple
- (b) compound
- (c) positive
- (d) complex
- (a) He is poor but honest.
- (b) There is no mother but loves her child.
- (c) Do or die.
- (d) He tried hard to help me.
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) complex-compound
- (a) Some students like to study in the morning.
- (b) I hate running, but like walking.
- (c) They are studying because they have a test in the afternoon.
- (d) Too many cooks spoil the broth.
- (a) The water we drink must be pure.
- (b) The evil done by men lives after them.
- (c) Give me a pen to write with.
- (d) In spite of his poverty, he is not happy.
- (a) Only the graduates need apply.
- (b) He is better than any other boy in the class.
- (c) We eat that we may live.
- (d) I saw him writing a letter.
- (a) simple
- (b) compound
- (c) complex
- (d) multiple
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) complex-compound
Previous Job Exam Question: Part Eight
- (a) simple
- (b) compound
- (c) complex
- (d) negative
- (a) Tell me the name you bear.
- (b) Tell me what is your name.
- (c) Tell me what your name.
- (d) Tell me what your name is.
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) none
- (a) A subject and a finite verb
- (b) One principal clause and one sub-ordinate clause
- (c) Two or more co-ordinate clauses
- (d) Two or more sub-ordinate clauses
- (a) Four
- (b) Three
- (c) More than one
- (d) None
- (a) a subject and a finite verb
- (b) two or more subordinate clauses
- (c) one principal cause and one subordinate clause
- (d) none
- (a) After he came here, he talked to him.
- (b) He came here but I did not talk to him.
- (c) He stopped to talked to him.
- (d) He could not but talked to him.
- (a) Compound-Complex
- (b) Complex
- (c) Compound
- (d) Simple
- (a) simple
- (b) complex
- (c) compound
- (d) compound-complex
- (a) Owing to weakness, I cannot walk.
- (b) As I am weak, I cannot walk.
- (c) I am weak but I can walk.
- (d) I am too weak to walk.
- (a) Turning to the left you will see the shop.
- (b) If you will learn.
- (c) I shall work hard or I shall fail.
- (d) Had I the wings of a bird?
- (a) If you read you will learn.
- (b) Turning to the left you will see the shop.
- (c) I shall work or I shall fail.
- (d) Had I the wings of a bird.
- (a) complex
- (b) compound
- (c) simple
- (d) simple and complex
- (a) Seeing the police the thief ran away.
- (b) The thief saw the police while he run away.
- (c) When the thief saw the police he run away.
- (d) The thief saw the police and ran away.
- (a) simple
- (b) exclamatory
- (c) complex
- (d) compound
- (a) I was admitted to school at the age of five.
- (b) A soon as he got the telegram he left in a taxi.
- (c) You have got a first division and I am glad to know it.
- (d) The man was happy when he saw his daughter.
- (a) complex
- (b) simple
- (c) compound
- (d) exclamatory
- (a) compound
- (b) complex
- (c) simple
- (d) interrogative
- (a) complex
- (b) compound
- (c) simple
- (d) incomplete
- (a) simple
- (b) compound
- (c) complex
- (d) none of these
Read More: Pronouns Definitions, Types, Examples & Uses
Mastering the different types of sentences is essential for effective communication. Whether you are writing essays, speaking in public, or engaging in everyday conversations, a strong command of sentence structures will make your expression more precise and engaging. By understanding sentence types and practicing their usage, you can improve both your writing and speaking skills significantly. At BD JOBZ PREPARATION, we aim to provide quality learning resources to help you excel in English language proficiency. Keep practicing and exploring new sentence structures to enhance your communication skills further!
