Sentence types

Question 0

Sentence classification

Answer 0

• The complexity of sentence is directly related to the number of clauses each contains
• Sentences may also be classified based on their overriding function.

Question 1

What is a sentence?

Answer 1

• A sentence is the most complex syntactic structural unit.
  
  • It must contain at least one independent clause
    
    • must include a subject and a predicate
  • It must appear to present a complete thought
  • It must seem to be grammatically acceptable

Question 2

Sentence classification via clause structure

Answer 2

• simple sentences
• compound sentences
• complex sentences
• compound- complex sentences

Question 3

Simple sentences

Answer 3

• contain only one independent clause
  
  • The parents signed the release form.
• They may contain more than one phrase but only one predicate/verb
  
  • The parents of Jennifer signed the release form.
  • The parents of Jennifer signed the release form on Thursday.
  • The parent of Jennifer signed the release form on Thursday of last week.

Question 4

Compound sentences

Answer 4

• Contain two simple sentences (independent clauses) conjoined via
  
  • a coordinating conjunction
    
    • for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
  • a semicolon
  • a conjunctive adverb
    
    • usually preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.
• Compound sentences include two predicates: the predicate of the first independent clause and the predicate of the second independent clause.

Question 5

Complex sentences

Answer 5

• Contain one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
• The dependent clause may:
  
  • be embedded within the sentence
  • be at the beginning of the sentence
  • be at the end of the sentence
  • begin with a subordinating conjunction
    
    • after,when, before, etc.
  • begin with a relative pronoun
    that, which, who, etc.

Question 6

compound-complex sentences

Answer 6

• Include elements of both compound sentences and complex sentences.
  
  • Contain two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses
  • The independent clauses are connected via a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a conjunctive adverb
  • The dependent clause is connected by a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun.

Question 7

Sentence classification via function

Answer 7

• Declarative sentences
• Imperative sentences
• Exclamatory sentences
• Interrogative sentences

Question 8

Declarative sentences

Answer 8

• Have the overriding function of making a positive or negative statement or assertion
• Almost always contain a “subject + verb” word order
• May be simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex

Question 9

Imperative sentences

Answer 9

• have the overall function or making a request or giving an order
• often do not contain an explicit suject
• contain a “subject + verb” word order even though the subject is covert
• May be simple, compound, complex, or compound- complex

Question 10

Exclamatory sentences

Answer 10

• Express a strong emotion
  
  • In writing, marked by an exclamation point.
  • In speaking, marked by pitch changes and increased loudness
  • May also contain interjections like oh, ouch, or, well
• Contain a “subject + verb” word order
• May be simple, compound, complex or compound- complex

Question 11

Interrogative sentences

Answer 11

• have the function of obtaining information
  
  • simple sentences marked with rising intonation
    
    • you like candy!
  • Wh- question
    
    • who, what, where, when, why, which, how
  • yes/no questions
    
    • begin with the auxiliary verb
  • tag questions
    
    • combine a declarative sentence and an interrogative question
    • Used primarily to ensure a response or feedback from the communication partner
      
      • Primitive tags- you like candy, right?
      • Real tags- you like candy, don’t you?

Question 12

Developmental notes (sentence types)

Answer 12

• Brown’s stage III (24-30 months)
  
  • Begin to produce simple S+V+O sentences
    
    • Most are declarative sentences
    • Mark imperative sentence by intent
    • Exclamatory may be marked by pitch and loudness
    • Most forms of interrogative are emerging
• Brown’s stage IV (35- 40 months)
  
  • Child knows that noun or pronoun subject is required for a sentence
  • Begin to embed sentence elements
  • Begin to conjoin sentences with “and, but, so, because”
• Brown’s stage V (40- 46 months)
  
  • Begin to use coordinating clauses
  • Begin to use subordinating clauses
• Late Brown’s stage V
  
  • By age 4, children can produce all sentence varieties in terms of clauses structure.
  • Begin to use adjective (relative) clauses
    
    • Usually in the object position
    • He ate the cookies {that were mine}.

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