INTRODUCTION
Sentences can be classified according to the internal structure of the sentence, that is, the way they are made up. This classification depends largely on the number and kinds of clauses which the sentence contains (Semmel Meyer and Bolander, 1984: 199) Every sentence has at least one independent clause which carries the idea of the sentence. Some have more than one.
3.1 Simple and Compound Sentences
A sentence that contains one independent clause is called a simple sentence. For example, the following sentence has only one subject and one predicate and is therefore a simple sentence.
Edem joined the army last year.
A simple sentence can also have a compound subject or predicate as in the following examples:
Ekaette andArit became fashion models (Compound subject)
They sang and danced at the concert. (Compound predicate)
Rose and Anna sang and danced at the concert.
(Compound subject compound predicate)
A compound subject does not suggest that there are two subjects but rather that one subject is made up of two nouns or pronouns. Similarly a compound predicate does not mean two predicates but one predicate which is made up of two or more verbs or verb phrases.
A compound sentence, on the other hand, is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction to form one sentence. In the following sentence each of the clauses joined by ‘and’ can stand by itself:
Peter joined the army and his friend went to a university.
When not joined by a conjunction, two independent clauses can be linked together by a semi-colon. A comma can also be used with a conjunction to link a compound sentence but not a comma alone. Examine the following:
The author wrote many stories for children, and he also wrote a number of poems.
I went to the bank; I later rushed back for my lectures (semi
colon).
3.2 Complex and Compound Complex Sentences
Another type of sentence is the complex sentence. This is made up of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A dependent or subordinate clause depends for its meaning on the main clause. It cannot stand by itself. A subordinate clause is usually introduced by a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun. These connecting words make it clear that the clause depends on another part of the sentence for its meaning. Examine the following complex sentences:
I shall be at home when you come.
She wore the blouse and the perfume which her son gave her for Christmas.
If it rains, I shall stay at home.
Note that the italicised sections of the above sentences are dependent on the main/independent clauses which are not italicised. They cannot stand on their own. In the first sentence the dependent clause is introduced by the subordinate conjunction ‘when’, while in the second sentence it is introduced by the relative pronoun ‘which’. In the third sentence, the dependent clause is introduced by the subordinate conjunction ‘if’. Meanwhile, the following sentence which is also a complete sentence contains more than one subordinate clause.
When he spoke to me, I refused to answer him because he was very impolite.
The italicised sections are subordinate clauses introduced by the subordinate conjunctions ‘when’ and ‘because’ . Occasionally some sentences are constructed which have two or more independent clauses and two or more subordinate clauses. They are the Compound Complex Sentences. The next examples illustrate this sentence structure.
As soon as it starts raining, farmers begin to plant and they always hope that the rains will come regularly.
Before he gained admission into a university, his mother was always worried and she never stopped planning what he would do when he finished his university education.
3.3 Multiple Sentences
A fifth structural sub type of sentence - the multiple sentence is often identified. A multiple sentence has at least three main clauses and no subordinate clause. The following are examples multiple sentences;
I came, I saw, I conquered.
Mary cooked breakfast; Augusta washed the dishes and Tom swept the compound.
My mother was excited at the news; she sang and danced and cried simultaneously.
The first two sentences are made up of three sentences each, while the third one has four verbs (excited, sang, danced, cried) and therefore has four sentences with the last three sharing the same subject (she).
Whereas commas are used to separate the first example because they are very short and are made up of only SV structure, a semicolon is used to separate the first part in the other two examples while the coordinating conjunction and is used to join the others. According to Eka (1994: 45) ‘these variations are largely stylistic but they can also be seen as attempts to avoid monotony’. Multiple sentences are often long and involved. Students are expected to recognize them when they are used but are advised to avoid them or use them with care.
3.4 Declarative and Interrogative Sentences
A sentence that makes a statement is called a declarative sentence. A declarative sentence ends with a full stop. The normal order is for the subject to appear at the beginning. However, for variety or emphasis, the subject may appear at other places in the sentence. Here are some examples of declarative sentences.
a) The athletes ran down the street.
b) Down the street, the athletes ran.
c) My sister is a teacher.
A sentence that asks a question is called an interrogative sentence. The interrogative sentence is generally written in an inverted order; sometimes it starts with a verb and sometimes it begins with an adverb:
d) Did you bring your camera?
e) Where did you buy your watch?
To determine the subject and predicate, the interrogative sentence should be placed in a normal order. The interrogative sentence ends with a question mark. For example, Sentences (d) and (e) can be can be rewritten in the normal order as follows:
You did bring the camera or You brought your camera.
You did buy your watch where? or you bought your watch where?
3.5 Imperative and Exclamatory Sentences
A sentence that gives a command or makes a request is called an imperative sentence. It usually ends with a full stop and sometimes with an exclamation mark. The subject of an imperative sentence is seldom expressed. If the subject is not expressed it is the word, ‘you’ . Sometimes an imperative sentence begins with a noun that indicates the name of the person to whom the command or request is given:
Go out of the class (Command)
Atim, (please) give me your pen (Request)
Eka (1994: 47-48) identifies four types of imperative:
(a) Mild Imperative
These are commands which have been rendered mild by the addition of ‘please’ to show politeness as in the following examples:
Please sit down.
Give me your pen, please.
The above examples are different from polite requests which involve changing the structure of the imperatives to questions or statements e.g.
Will you sit down, please?
I wonder whether you would mind giving me your pen.
(b) Forceful Imperatives
Forceful imperatives are sharp and tend to suggest that the speaker is irritated. In the written form, forceful imperatives end with the exclamation mark instead of the full stop used to end mild imperatives. The following exemplify this subtype:
Go out before I shut the door!
Remove your shoes from the rug!
Some forceful imperatives can be coated with pleasantness with the addition of do and let as in:
Do bring the car before noon
Let us meet today at 4.00pm prompt
(c) Negative Imperatives
Negative imperatives emphasize what should not be done. They usually begin with the word ‘Don’t ’. See the following examples:
Don’t enter the room without knocking
Don’t cross the field
(d) Single Word Imperatives
Single word imperatives are usually verbs which always have the implied subject ‘You’. Examine the following
(You) Shut the door
(You) Stand up
The sentence that expresses strong feeling is called an exclamatory
sentence. It is often written in an inverted order. To determine the
subject and predicate, the sentence should be transposed, that is, written in the normal order. Exclamatory sentences usually end with exclamation marks.
What a mess this is! (Inverted Order)
This is what a mess! (Normal Order) *Not in common use.
Alas, she is dead!
Sometimes, the word ‘there’ is used as an expletive to introduce a
sentence.
When ‘there’ is used in this way, it is NOT an adverb. It is used merely to fill up the place occupied by the subject. The subject appears later in the sentence. Examine the following:
There are many books in my library.
Many books are (there) in my library.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE (SAE) 1
Separate the following sentences into dependent and independent
clauses;
1. As soon as it starts raining, farmers begin to plant and they always hope that the rains will come regularly.
2. Before he gained admission into a university, his mother was always worried and she never stopped planning what he would do when he finished his university education.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE (SAE) 2
Discuss the various uses of sentences in communication?
4.0 CONCLUSION
English sentences can be categorised according to their structure or function. When sentences are classified according to their structure, emphasis is laid on the types of clauses that make up the sentence.
But when English sentences are categorised according to their functions, we study the particular communicative functions that they perform and how thoughts are expressed.
5.0 SUMMARY
The following main points have been made in this unit:
Sentences can be classified according to their structure and uses.
According to structure five main types of sentences can be identified; these are simple, compound, complex, compound
complex and multiple sentences.
According to function, four main types of sentences can also be
identified: the declarative, interrogative, imperative and exclamatory.
The word ‘there’ often used to start a sentence is not an adverb but merely used to fill up the space occupied by the subject.
A simple sentence has one main clause and no subordinate clause
A compound sentence has two main clauses and no subordinate clause.
A complex sentence has one main clause and at least one subordinate clause, while a compound complex sentence has two main clauses and at least one subordinate clause.
A multiple sentence has at least three main clauses and no subordinate clause.
6.0 TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT (TMA)
Write out your own examples of the structural types of sentences in English.
7.0 REFERENCES / FURTHER READINGS
Eka, D. (1996) Elements of Grammar and Mechanics of English. Uyo: Samuf Educational.
Semmelmeyer, M. and Bolander, D. (1984) Instant English Handbook. Illinois: Career Publishing Inc.
Udofot, I. and Ekpenyong, B.(2004) .A Comprehensive English
Course for Schoools. and Colleges. Lagos: Quantum Co.Ltd
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