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CHAPTER 1 THE SENTENCE

1. When we speak or write we use words. We generally use these words in groups; as,
Little Jack Homer sat in a corner.
A group of words like this, which makes complete sense, is called a Sentence.
Kinds of Sentences
2. Sentences are of four kinds:
1) Those which make statements or assertions; as,
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
2) Those which ask questions; as
Where do you live?
3) Those which express commands, requests, or entreaties; as,
Be quiet.
Have mercy upon us.
4) Those which express strong feelings; as,
How cold the night is! What a shame!
➢ A sentence that makes a statement or assertion is called a Declarative or Assertive
sentence.
➢ A sentence that asks a question is called an Interrogative sentence.
➢ A sentence that expresses a command or an entreaty is called an Imperative sentence.
➢ A sentence that expresses strong feeling is called an Exclamatory sentence.
SUBJECT AND PREDICATE
3. When we make a sentence:
1) We name some person or thing; and
2) Say something about that person or thing.
In other words, we must have a subject to speak about and we must say or predicate something
about that subject.
Hence every sentence has two parts:
1) The part which names the person or thing we are speaking about. This is called the
Subject of the sentence.
2) The part which tells something about the Subject. This is called the Predicate of the
sentence.
4. The Subject of a sentence usually comes first, but occasionally it is put after the Predicate; as,
• Here comes the bus.
• Sweet are the uses of adversity.
5. In Imperative sentences the Subject is left out; as,
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• Sit down. [Here the Subject You is understood].

• Thank him. [Here too the Subject You is understood.]
Exercise in Grammar 1 : In the following sentences separate the Subject and the Predicate:
1) The cackling of geese saved Rome.
2) The boy stood on the burning deck.
3) Tubal Cain was a man of might.
4) Stone walls do not make a prison.
5) The singing of the birds delights us.
6) Miss Kitty was rude at the table one day
7) He has a good memory.
8) Bad habits grow unconsciously.
9) The earth revolves round the sun.
10) Nature is the best physician.
11) Edison invented the phonograph.
12) The sea hath many thousand sands.
13) We cannot pump the ocean dry.
14) Borrowed garments never fit well.
15) The early bird catches the worm.
16) All matter is indestructible.
17) Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan.
18) We should profit by experience.
19) All roads lead to Rome.
20) A guilty conscience needs no excuse.
21) The beautiful rainbow soon faded away.
22) No man can serve two masters.
23) A sick room should be well aired.
24) The dewdrops glitter in the sunshine.
25) I shot an arrow into the air.
26) A barking sound the shepherd hears.
27) On the top of the hill lives a hermit.
THE PHRASE AND THE CLAUSE
6. Examine the group of words “in a corner”. It makes sense, but not complete sense. Such a
group of words, which makes sense, but not complete sense, is called a Phrase.
In the following sentences, the groups of words in italics are Phrases:
• The sun rises in the east.
• Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
• There came a giant to my door.
• It was a sunset of great beauty.
• The tops of the mountains were covered with snow.
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• Show me how to do it.

7. Examine the groups of words in italics in the following sentences:
• He has a chain of gold.
• He has a chain which is made of gold.
We recognize the first group of words as a Phrase.
The second group of words, unlike the Phrase of gold, contains a Subject (which) and a Predicate
(is made of gold).
Such a group of words which forms part of a sentence, and contains a Subject and a Predicate, is
called a Clause.
In the following sentences, the groups of words in italics are Clauses:
• People who pay their debts are trusted.
• We cannot start while it is raining.
• I think that you have made a mistake.
SENTENCES : SIMPLE, COMPOUND, AND COMPLEX
8. Examine the following sentences:-
o His courage won him honour.
o The moon was bright and we could see our way.
o Night came on and rain fell heavily and we all got very wet.
o They rested when evening came.
o As the boxers advanced into the ring, the people said they would not allow them
to fight.
o Anil called at 5.30 and I told him that you had gone out.
We see that sentence 1 has only one Subject and one Predicate, Such a sentence is called a
Simple Sentence.
Def: - A Simple sentence is one which has only one Subject and one Predicate.
[Or] A simple sentence is one which has only one Finite Verb.
Sentence 2 consists of two parts :
(i) The moon was bright.
(ii) We could sec our way.
These two parts are joined by the Co-ordinating Conjunction and.
Each part contains a Subject and a Predicate of its own. Each part is therefore a sentence which
is part of a larger sentence. In other words each part is what we call a Clause.
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We further notice that each Clause makes good sense by itself, and hence could stand by itself as
a separate sentence. Each Clause is therefore independent of the other or of the same order or
rank, and is called a Principal or Main Clause.
A sentence, such as the second, which is made up of Principal or Main Clauses, is called a
Compound Sentence.
Sentence 3 consists of three Clauses of the same order or rank. In other words, sentence 3
consists of three Principal or Main Clauses, viz:
• Night came on
• Rain fell heavily
• We all got very wet. Such a sentence is also called a Compound sentence.
Def:- A Compound sentence is one made up of two or more Principal or Main Clauses.
Note:- The term Double is now used for a sentence which consists of two principal or main
clauses, and the term Multiple for a sentence of more than two principal or main clauses.
Sentence 4 consists of two parts:-
• They rested.
• When evening came.
Each part contains a Subject and a Predicate of its own, and forms part of a large sentence. Each
part is therefore a Clause.
We further notice that the Clause, They rested, makes good sense by itself, and hence could stand
by itself as a complete sentence. It is therefore called the Principal or Main Clause.
The Clause, when evening came, cannot stand by itself and make good sense. It is dependent on
the Clause, they rested. It is therefore called a Dependent or Subordinate Clause.
A sentence, such as the fourth, is called a Complex Sentence.
Sentence 5 consists of three Clauses:-
1) The people said. (Main Clause).
2) As the boxers advanced into the ring. (Subordinate Adverb Clause.)
3) They would not allow them to fight. (Subordinate Noun Clause.)
Such a sentence is also called a Complex sentence. Def:- A Complex sentence consists of one
Main Clause and one or more Subordinate Clauses.
9. Look at the following Compound sentences, and notice the Co-ordinating Conjunctions
joining clauses of equal rank:-
• I shall do it now or I shall not do it at all.
• He gave them no money nor did he help them in any way.
• He threw the stone but it missed the dog.
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• He neither obtains success nor deserves it.

• He is cither mad or he has become a criminal.
• I both thanked him and rewarded him.
Exercise 37. State which of the following sentences are Compound, and which are Complex. In
the case of a Compound sentence separate the coordinating clauses of which it is composed, and
mention the conjunction, connecting these clauses. If a sentence is Complex divide it into its
clauses, and state the Principal Clause and the Subordinate Clause or clauses:-
o The horse reared and the rider was thrown.
o Walk quickly, else you will not overtake him.
o The town in which I live is very large.
o I called him, but he gave me no answer.
o I agree to your proposals, for I think them reasonable.
o I went because I was invited.
o Either he is drowned or some passing ship has saved him.
o 1 returned home because I was tired.
o They always talk who never think.
o He came oftener than we expected.
o He blushes; therefore he is guilty.
o A guest is unwelcome when he stays too long.
o Whatever you do, do well.
o He must have done his duty,for he is a conscientious man.
o He rushed into the field, and foremost fighting fell.
o Man proposes, but God disposes.
o Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.
o Listen carefully and take notes.
o The heavens declare, the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His
handiwork.
o He tried hard, but he did not succeed.
o She must weep or she will die.
o They serve God well who serve His creatures.
o Man is guided by reason, and beast by instinct.
o Quarrels would not last long if the fault were only on one side.
o God made the country and manmade the town.
o He trudged on, though he was very tired.
o There was one philosopher who chose to live in a tub.
o The Commons passed the bill, but the Lords threw it out.
o Tell me the news as you have heard. 30. He that has most time has none to lose.
o Your arguments are weighty; still they do not convince me.
o Everything comes, if a man will only work and wait.
o The same day went Jesus out of the horse, and sat by the sea-side.
o We must eat to live, but we should not live to eat.
o Govern your passions or they will govern you.
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o They [rats] fought the dogs, and killed the cats. And bit the babies in the cradles,
And ate the cheese out of the vats. And licked the soup from the cook's own
ladles.
o My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky.