Sentence Types and Structures

This flashcard set covers the definitions and categories of sentences based on meaning and structure, including specific sub-types like emphatic and cleft sentences.

Sentence

A group of words which has a subject and predicate and gives clear and complete sense.

Subject

A word or group of words which names the person, place, or thing we are speaking about.

Predicate

A part of a sentence which modifies the subject.

Declarative/Assertive sentence

Sentences which make a statement and end with a full stop in written English; in spoken English, they have a fall of pitch.

Affirmative sentence

A kind of declarative sentence that affirms a statement.

Negative sentence

A kind of declarative sentence that denies a statement.

Emphatic sentences

Sentences which carry emphasis on particular words.

Imperative emphatic sentences

Sentences that express an order and carry emphasis; the subject is always the understood "YOU".

Emphatic sentence with gerund

Sentences which contain a gerund and carry emphasis.

Infinitive emphatic sentences

Sentences which contain infinitives and carry emphasis.

Cleft sentences with impersonal pronoun

Sentences containing two parts that carry emphasis using an impersonal pronoun, often called infatic/impersonal if gender is known but "it" is used.

Cleft sentences with W.H words

Sentences containing two parts starting with words like what or why to carry emphasis.

Optative sentences

Sentences which express a wish, desire, or prayer.

Subjunctive verbs

Verbs that are apparently in the past but their meanings are in the present and against the fact.

Interrogative sentences

Sentences in which questions are asked, typically using auxiliaries, modal auxiliaries, or W.H words.

Tag questions/attached questions

Short questions used for confirmation consisting of two parts (a statement and its opposite interrogative form).

Including questions

Interrogative sentences that include a simple statement within them.

Exclamatory sentences

Sentences that express happiness, sorrow, wonder, feelings, and emotions.

Interjections

Single words used to express emotion, distinct from exclamatory sentences which are complete statements.

Imperative sentences

Sentences which express an order, request, suggestion, advice, urge, or invitation.

Simple sentences

Sentences which contain only one independent clause.

Compound sentences

Sentences which contain two or more independent clauses.

Complex sentences

Sentences which contain one dependent and one independent clause.

Compound complex sentences

Sentences which contain one dependent and two or more independent clauses.