SENTENCES

CLASSIFICATION OF SENTENCES

Sentences may be classified according to purpose as

well as structure.

Depending on its purpose, a Depending on its structure, a

sentence can be classified as sentence can be classified as
declarative simple
imperative compound
interrogative complex
exclamatory compound-complex
 PURPOSE

√ A declarative sentence makes a statement.

√ An imperative sentence gives advice or instructions
or expresses a request or command.
√ An interrogative sentence asks a question.
√ An exclamatory sentence shows excitement or
expresses strong feeling.
 STRUCTURE
√ Simple Sentence: A sentence with one independent
clause and no dependent clauses.
√ Compound Sentence: A sentence with multiple
independent clauses but no dependent clauses.
√ Complex Sentence: A sentence with one independent
clause and at least one dependent clause.
√ Compound-Complex Sentence: A sentence with
multiple independent clauses and at least one
dependent clause.
.
 SIMPLE SENTENCE
√ A simple sentence contains one independent clause
and no subordinate clauses.
√ A simple sentence may contain a compound subject,
a compound verb, and any number of phrases.
Example:
The girl and her brother along with their friends sang
and danced at the party.
 COMPOUND SENTENCE
A compound sentence contains two or more
independent/main clauses and no subordinate clauses.
A compound sentence is created in several ways:
1. independent/main clauses joined by a comma and
a coordinating conjunction
2. independent/main clauses joined by a semi-colon
3. independent/main clauses joined by a semicolon
and a conjunctive adverb followed by a comma

.
 COMPOUND SENTENCE
Examples:
1. Most people in the audience seemed pleased with the
plans, yet some complained about the time of the event.
2. Those students must have wanted tickets for the Ne-Yo
concert very badly; they stood in line for almost twenty-
four hours.
3. Your arguments were well presented; however, we feel
that the plan is too expensive.
 CAUTION
Do not mistake a simple sentence with a compound
subject or a compound verb for a compound sentence.
Simple Sentence:
 To pass the time, they talked about school and told
stories about their families. [compound verb]
Compound Sentence:
 To pass the time, they talked about school, and they
told stories about their families.
 COMPLEX SENTENCE
A complex sentence contains one independent or main
clause and at least one subordinate clause.
Examples:
1. I would not jump into that cold water even if you
paid me one thousand dollars.
2. Here is the money that I borrowed last month.
 NOTE
• Depending on how it is used, an adjective clause is
either essential or nonessential.
• An essential (or restrictive) clause contains information
necessary to the sentence’s meaning.
• A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) clause contains
information that can be omitted without affecting the
sentence’s basic meaning.
 NOTE
• An essential clause is not set off by commas.
Example:
 The guitar is the only instrument that I can play well.
• An nonessential clause is set off by commas.
Example:
 Emile, who can play many instruments, taught me to
play the guitar.
 COMPOUND-COMPLEX
• A compound-complex sentence contains two or more
independent or main clauses and at least one
subordinate clause.
Example:
• While the store employees decorated the storefront,
the manager put on his best suit, and the customers
arrived promptly at eight.
 COMPOUND-COMPLEX
Example:
• The store employees decorated the storefront. The
manager put on his best suit. The customers arrived
promptly at eight.
• While the store employees decorated the storefront,
the manager put on his best suit, and the customers
arrived promptly at eight.