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Sentence in English – Definition, Structure & Types

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10 Simple English Sentence Examples for Students

  • A sentence in English is the building block of all communication. Understanding sentences is essential for exams, writing assignments, and everyday English use. A clear grasp of sentence structure helps students express ideas confidently, avoid mistakes in writing, and answer exam questions with ease.


Type of SentencePurposeExample
DeclarativeMakes a statementThe sky is blue.
InterrogativeAsks a questionWhere is my bag?
ImperativeGives a command or requestPlease close the door.
ExclamatoryShows strong feelingWhat a wonderful day!

What Is a Sentence in English?

A sentence in English is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. Every sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with punctuation, such as a period, question mark, or exclamation point. Sentences are essential in exams and daily communication.


Basic Structure of Sentences

Most sentences in English grammar follow a simple pattern: subject + predicate. The subject tells who or what the sentence is about. The predicate says something about the subject. Understanding this structure helps students write better answers and avoid incomplete sentences.


  • The dog sleeps.
  • My friends are playing.

Types of Sentences in English Grammar

There are four main types of sentences: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Each serves a different purpose and helps us express thoughts, ask questions, give commands, or show feelings. Vedantu helps you recognize and use these to strengthen your English grammar skills.


Examples of Each Sentence Type

  • Declarative: She loves music.
  • Interrogative: Do you like pizza?
  • Imperative: Finish your homework.
  • Exclamatory: That was amazing!

Parts of a Sentence

Sentences can have different components. These include subject, verb, object, complements, and modifiers. Recognizing these parts lets you identify sentence errors and build strong, clear sentences for school and tests.


PartRoleExample
SubjectWho/What the sentence is aboutJohn eats apples.
VerbAction or stateShe runs every day.
ObjectReceives the actionRita reads books.
ComplementCompletes the meaningHe is a doctor.
ModifierAdds detailThe tall boy smiled.

10 Simple Sentence Examples

Seeing simple sentences helps you write your own. Here are clear daily-use examples you can use for practice or exams:

  • The sun is shining.
  • I have a pen.
  • My mother cooks food.
  • We play football.
  • She likes to read.
  • Birds fly in the sky.
  • It is raining.
  • The baby is sleeping.
  • Dogs bark at night.
  • He goes to school.

Common Sentence Errors and How to Avoid Them

Sentence fragments and run-ons can confuse readers and cost marks in exams. Always check for a complete subject and verb. Join independent ideas with correct punctuation or linking words. This prevents mistakes and strengthens your grammar confidence for class and beyond.


  • Fragment: Because it was raining. (Incorrect)
  • Complete: Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
  • Run-on: She likes apples she eats them daily. (Incorrect)
  • Corrected: She likes apples, so she eats them daily.

Punctuation in Sentences

Good punctuation makes sentences clear. Use a period for statements, a question mark for questions, and an exclamation mark for strong emotion. For exam writing, accurate punctuation shows clarity and careful grammar, which Vedantu encourages in all lessons.


  • Statement: My friend is here.
  • Question: Are you ready?
  • Exclamation: Look out!

In summary, understanding sentences in English grammar helps you write and speak with clarity. Knowing the types, common errors, and simple examples builds confidence for exams and daily communication. Practicing with Vedantu resources will support your journey in mastering English sentences.

To learn more about building strong sentences, visit Sentence Structure at Vedantu. For extra practice and rules, explore our Types of Sentences guide.

FAQs on Sentence in English – Definition, Structure & Types

1. What is a sentence in English?

A sentence in English is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It typically contains a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a predicate (what the subject does or is). A complete sentence must also begin with a capital letter and end with appropriate punctuation (a period, question mark, or exclamation point).

2. What are the main types of sentences in English?

The four main types of sentences are:
Declarative: Makes a statement (e.g., The dog barked loudly).
Interrogative: Asks a question (e.g., Did the dog bark?).
Imperative: Gives a command or makes a request (e.g., Please feed the dog).
Exclamatory: Expresses strong emotion (e.g., The dog barked ferociously!).

3. What is the difference between a sentence and a sentence fragment?

A sentence expresses a complete thought and has a subject and a verb. A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought; it is missing either a subject, a verb, or both, and does not express a complete idea (e.g., 'Running quickly' is a fragment; 'The dog running quickly' is a complete sentence).

4. What is a run-on sentence?

A run-on sentence (also called a fused sentence) occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions. For example, 'The dog barked the cat ran away' is a run-on sentence. It should be corrected by using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (e.g., The dog barked, and the cat ran away) or by separating the clauses into separate sentences.

5. What are the basic parts of a sentence?

The basic parts of a sentence are the subject (the noun or pronoun performing the action) and the predicate (the verb and its objects or complements that describe what the subject does or is).

6. Can you give five examples of simple sentences?

1. The sun shines. 

2. Birds fly. 

3. The cat sleeps. 

4. He reads books. 

5. She sings beautifully.

7. What is a compound sentence?

A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) or a semicolon (;). Each clause could stand alone as a sentence.

8. What is a complex sentence?

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

9. How do I avoid comma splices?

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. To correct this, use a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction preceded by a comma, or separate the clauses into two sentences.

10. What is the difference between a phrase and a clause?

A phrase is a group of related words that does not contain a subject and a verb. A clause contains a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence; a dependent clause cannot.

11. What is a subject complement?

A subject complement follows a linking verb (such as be, seem, become) and renames or describes the subject. For example, in 'She is a doctor,' 'doctor' is the subject complement.

12. What is an object complement?

An object complement follows a direct object and describes or renames it. For example, in 'They painted the house blue,' 'blue' is the object complement, describing the direct object 'house'.