Sentences
This is probably the most basic rule for English. Actually, if you can read this page, then you probably already understand what a sentence is.
No worries, though. TestMagic will explain the stuff you already know. Who knows? Maybe you can learn something!!
Be sure to take a look at phrases to compare the difference between sentences and phrases.
Definition
Remember this--a sentence is:
subject + verb + (object or complement)
Examples
In each sentence below, the sentences look like this.
- I like English.
- I bought a car.
- Most people sleep every day.
- Time and money are two important things for most people.
Okay, you must already know that these examples are sentences. Before you close this page, take a look at the next examples that are NOT sentences.
What you need to know for your test:
In English, if we don't have a subject, or a verb, then we don't have a sentence. In many other languages, we sometimes omit the verb, or we sometimes omit the subject. We simply CANNOT do this in English.
For example, in some languages, we can say:
wrong |
right |
| My brother happy today. | My brother is happy today. |
| I just met your sister. Is a very nice person. | I just met your sister. She is a very nice person. |
But English doesn't allow such constructions.
The only possible exception would be the command form in English, which doesn't require a subject:
Come here! Sit down! Have some coffee.
The traditional explanation for this construction is that the you is understood.