Sentences

Sentences are groups of words that make complete sense. When you give me a sentence I know you have told me or asked me something complete.

Sentences can be short …

• Susan lives there.
• Where are you going?

or longer.

• Sedimentary rocks, wherever they are, tell us about ancient climatic conditions, and geological events that happened in the area during the time the sediments were deposited.

Sentences can be statements …

• John hasn't paid his rent for two months.
• All these toys were made by Uncle Joe.

or questions …

• Are you well?
• Have they finished painting the house?

or commands.

• Come to the office at ten.
• Stop!

Here's an exercise
(the only one in the book).

Which of the following are sentences and which are not? Can you tell why? Full stops and capitals have been omitted.

• the house on the hill
• he's finished the story
• in the cupboard
• but whenever we see him
• she won the award for the best supporting role
• they don't know where you are
• down the street and over the bridge
• completed only months before
• when she ran across the line
• it's made of cotton
• shake the bottle well before you open it
• made from 100% cotton
• the lady who lives next door
• he found it on the floor behind the sofa
• she'll tell you how to make it

If you can tell which are sentences and which are not, by “intuition”, that's enough for the present. You can come back to it later with a bit more knowledge.