1. Types of Sentences
Sentences are classified into three types according to their formation structure.
- Simple Sentence;
- Complex Sentence; &
- Compound Sentence
2. Simple Sentence
A Simple sentence contains only one subject with one finite verb, and the sentence expresses a complete meaning. e.g.,
- She likes chocolate.
- He has a dog.
- Seeing is believing.
- To err is human.
- I like the poems of Byron and Shelley.
3. Complex Sentence
A Complex sentence contains one principal clause along with one or more subordinate clauses. e.g.,
- I know when the tiger will be fed.
- Jill stayed on until Jack arrived.
- The thief explained how he had escaped from jail.
- They did not know where they had come from.
- When I was passing through the forest I happened to see a number of deer.
4. Compound Sentence
A Compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses attached together by co-ordinating conjunctions. The principal co-ordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, then, else, however, therefore. e.g.,
- She came here for she needed to meet me.
- She came here and met me.
- She neither came here nor met me.
- I forbade her to visit me but she did not listen to me.
- Do or die. (You do or you die.)
- She was weak yet came here.
- She will come here so I need some food for dinner.
Remember! When two nouns are joined by ‘and’, it represents a single subject (It may be plural in number) and the sentence generally becomes a simple one. e.g,
- He and I are bosom friends.
- He and his wife joined our club.
- Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
- The sum and substance of the poem makes a many cry.
- Ram and Ravana were not friends.