Chapter 2
The Sentence
THEORY
1. What is a Sentence?
Definition: A sentence is a group of words that makes complete sense and expresses a complete thought.
Explanation: A sentence normally contains at least one finite verb and conveys a complete idea. "The bright morning sun" is not a sentence (no finite verb, incomplete thought); "The sun shines" is a sentence.
Competitive Note: A sentence always begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark.
2. The Two Essential Parts: Subject and Predicate
| Part | Definition | Example (in "The little child slept soundly") |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | The person/thing about which something is said | The little child |
| Predicate | What is said about the subject (contains the verb) | slept soundly |
Finding the subject — the question method: Place "Who?" or "What?" before the verb. "In the corner stood an old clock." → Ask "What stood in the corner?" → an old clock (subject).
Exam Tip: In inverted sentences (beginning with Here, There, In the…, or a negative adverb), the subject usually comes after the verb. Do not be misled by word order.
Five solved examples (locating the subject):
- Here comes the bus. → Subject = the bus.
- There are many books on the shelf. → Subject = many books.
- Loud were the cheers of the crowd. → Subject = the cheers of the crowd.
- Never have I seen such a sight. → Subject = I.
- Sit down. → Subject = (you) understood.
3. Classification of Sentences — Two Systems
A common exam trap is mixing the two systems below. Keep them separate.
(A) By Meaning / Function — Four Kinds
| Kind | Purpose | Example | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declarative (Assertive) | Makes a statement | The earth is round. | . |
| Interrogative | Asks a question | Are you ready? | ? |
| Imperative | Command, request, advice | Close the door. | . / ! |
| Exclamatory | Expresses strong/sudden emotion | How cold it is! | ! |
Warning: Do not confuse an exclamatory sentence (What a goal!) with an assertive sentence written emphatically. Exclamatory sentences typically begin with What or How and have an unusual word order.
(B) By Structure — Three Main Kinds (+1)
| Kind | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | One independent (main) clause; one finite verb | He plays cricket. |
| Compound | Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction | He plays cricket, but he hates football. |
| Complex | One independent clause + one or more subordinate clauses | He plays cricket because he enjoys it. |
| Compound-Complex | Two+ independent clauses + one+ subordinate clause | He plays cricket because he enjoys it, and he watches matches too. |
4. Clause, Phrase, and Their Difference
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Clause | A group of words with a subject + finite verb, forming part of a sentence | …when the bell rang |
| Phrase | A group of words without a finite verb, acting as a single part of speech | …at the end of the day |
Golden Rule: A clause has a finite verb; a phrase does not. This single test decides most "phrase or clause" questions.
Five solved examples:
- In the morning → Phrase (no verb).
- When morning came → Clause (subject + verb "came").
- To win the prize → Phrase (infinitive, non-finite).
- Because he was late → Clause (subject + verb "was").
- Running in the field → Phrase (participle, non-finite).
5. Kinds of Clauses (Foundation for Later Chapters)
| Clause | Function | Introduced by | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main/Independent | Stands alone | — | I know |
| Noun Clause | Acts as a noun | that, what, whether | I know that he is honest. |
| Adjective (Relative) Clause | Describes a noun | who, which, that, whose | The man who came is my uncle. |
| Adverb Clause | Modifies the verb (time, cause, condition, etc.) | when, because, if, although | He left when it rained. |
6. How to Classify a Sentence by Structure — Step Method
- Count the finite verbs. One finite verb → Simple.
- If there is more than one clause, find the connector. A coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) joining two independent clauses → Compound. A subordinating conjunction (because, when, if, although, that, which, who…) → Complex.
- Both a coordinator (joining independents) and a subordinate clause present → Compound-Complex.
Five solved examples:
- The sun set. → 1 verb → Simple.
- The sun set and the stars appeared. → 2 independents + "and" → Compound.
- When the sun set, the stars appeared. → subordinator "When" → Complex.
- When the sun set, the stars appeared, and the sky darkened. → subordinate + 2 independents → Compound-Complex.
- Having finished his work, he went home. → only ONE finite verb ("went"); "Having finished" is a participle phrase → Simple.
Exam Tip: A long sentence packed with participle/infinitive phrases can still be simple if it has only one finite verb. This is a favourite distractor.
COMMON EXAM ERRORS
| # | Wrong | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "He is rich but he is honest" called complex. | It is compound. | Two independents + "but" = compound, not complex. |
| 2 | The boy who is tall. (as a full sentence) | The boy who is tall won. | A relative clause alone is not a complete sentence. |
| 3 | Running fast, the bus was missed by him. | Running fast, he missed the bus. | The participle must relate to the subject (dangling modifier). |
| 4 | Where do you live? (marked exclamatory) | It is interrogative. | A question is interrogative, not exclamatory. |
| 5 | What a beautiful scene. | What a beautiful scene! | Exclamatory sentences end with "!". |
| 6 | He said that "he was ill." | He said that he was ill. | No quotation marks in indirect speech. |
| 7 | Although he was poor, but he was honest. | Although he was poor, he was honest. | Do not use "but" with "although". |
| 8 | Because he was late, so he missed it. | Because he was late, he missed it. | Do not use "so" with "because". |
| 9 | Sit down and to be quiet. | Sit down and be quiet. | Keep parallel verb forms. |
| 10 | I and my friend went. | My friend and I went. | Put "I" last; use subject case. |
| 11 | Neither he came nor wrote. | He neither came nor wrote. | Correlatives must be correctly placed. |
| 12 | Here the bus comes. | Here comes the bus. | Inversion after "Here". |
| 13 | Hardly he had slept when the bell rang. | Hardly had he slept when the bell rang. | Inversion after "Hardly". |
| 14 | This is the boy whom I think is honest. | This is the boy who I think is honest. | "who" is the subject of "is honest". |
| 15 | He asked that where I lived. | He asked where I lived. | No "that" with a wh-word in reported questions. |
| 16 | Each boy and girl were present. | Each boy and girl was present. | "Each…and…" takes a singular verb. |
| 17 | The reason is because he was ill. | The reason is that he was ill. | Use "that", not "because", after "reason". |
| 18 | No sooner he reached than it rained. | No sooner had he reached than it rained. | Inversion + "than" after "No sooner". |
| 19 | He works hard so that he may not to fail. | He works hard so that he may not fail. | No "to" after a modal. |
| 20 | Such was his anger that he could not to speak. | Such was his anger that he could not speak. | No "to" after "could". |
| 21 | I enjoyed during the holidays. | I enjoyed myself during the holidays. | "Enjoy" needs a reflexive object here. |
| 22 | Scarcely had he gone than it rained. | Scarcely had he gone when it rained. | "Scarcely…when", not "than". |
| 23 | He is too weak that he cannot walk. | He is too weak to walk. | "Too…to", not "too…that". |
| 24 | Both Ram as well as Shyam came. | Both Ram and Shyam came. | "Both…and", not "both…as well as". |
| 25 | The teacher as well as the students were absent. | The teacher as well as the students was absent. | Verb agrees with the first subject ("teacher"). |
EXAM TRICKS
- Verb-count trick: Count finite verbs first. One → simple. More → check the connector to decide compound vs. complex.
- Connector test: Coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) between two complete ideas = compound; subordinator = complex.
- What/How opener: Sentences beginning with What a / How + adjective and ending in "!" are exclamatory.
- Inversion alert: Sentences starting with Here, There, Never, Hardly, Scarcely, No sooner, Seldom, Not only invert subject and auxiliary — a common Error-Detection target.
- Distractor: Setters present a long participial sentence and tempt you to mark it "complex"; remember — no finite subordinate verb means simple.
FREQUENTLY CONFUSED PAIRS
| Pair | Distinction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Phrase / Clause | Clause has a finite verb; phrase does not | at dawn / when dawn broke |
| Compound / Complex | Compound joins equals (FANBOYS); complex has a subordinate clause | He ran and won / He won because he ran |
| Assertive / Exclamatory | Assertive states; exclamatory emotes (What/How + !) | It is hot. / How hot it is! |
| Imperative / Assertive | Imperative commands (subject "you" understood) | Be quiet. / You are quiet. |
| Subject / Object | Subject performs; object receives | The cat caught the mouse. |
EXCEPTIONS — Important, Rare & Advanced
- One-word sentences (Exception): "Stop!" and "Yes." are complete sentences in context, despite lacking an expressed subject or full clause.
- Verbless exclamations (Rare): "What a pity!" has no finite verb yet is accepted as a complete exclamatory sentence.
- Imperative subject (Advanced): The understood subject of an imperative is always the second person you, even in "Somebody open the door."
- Optative sentences (Advanced): Some grammarians add a fifth kind by meaning — the optative — expressing a wish/prayer: "May you live long!" For UPESSC, treat it as a sub-type unless the option list names it.
- "There/It" as dummy subject: In "There is a problem," "There" is an introductory (expletive) word, not the real subject; the real subject is "a problem".
50 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Easy (1–15)
1. A group of words that makes complete sense is called a:
(a) Phrase (b) Clause (c) Sentence (d) Paragraph
Answer: (c) Sentence
Explanation: Complete sense defines a sentence.
2. The two essential parts of a sentence are:
(a) Noun and verb (b) Subject and predicate (c) Clause and phrase (d) Object and complement
Answer: (b) Subject and predicate
Explanation: Every sentence has a subject and a predicate.
3. "Open the window." This sentence is:
(a) Assertive (b) Interrogative (c) Imperative (d) Exclamatory
Answer: (c) Imperative
Explanation: It is a command with subject "you" understood.
4. "How beautiful the rainbow is!" is a/an ______ sentence.
(a) Assertive (b) Exclamatory (c) Imperative (d) Interrogative
Answer: (b) Exclamatory
Explanation: "How + adjective + !" expresses strong feeling.
5. A sentence with only one independent clause is:
(a) Compound (b) Complex (c) Simple (d) Compound-Complex
Answer: (c) Simple
Explanation: One finite verb / one main clause.
6. "He came and he sat." This sentence is:
(a) Simple (b) Compound (c) Complex (d) Exclamatory
Answer: (b) Compound
Explanation: Two independent clauses joined by "and".
7. Which group of words is a phrase?
(a) When he came (b) Because it rained (c) In the garden (d) That she left
Answer: (c) In the garden
Explanation: No finite verb → phrase.
8. A clause must contain a:
(a) Preposition (b) Finite verb (c) Conjunction (d) Adjective
Answer: (b) Finite verb
Explanation: A clause has a subject and a finite verb.
9. "Are you coming?" This sentence is:
(a) Assertive (b) Interrogative (c) Imperative (d) Exclamatory
Answer: (b) Interrogative
Explanation: It asks a question.
10. The mnemonic FANBOYS lists:
(a) Subordinating conjunctions (b) Coordinating conjunctions (c) Relative pronouns (d) Prepositions
Answer: (b) Coordinating conjunctions
Explanation: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
11. In "The dog barked loudly," the subject is:
(a) barked (b) loudly (c) The dog (d) The
Answer: (c) The dog
Explanation: "What barked?" → The dog.
12. "The sun rises in the east." This sentence is:
(a) Interrogative (b) Imperative (c) Assertive (d) Exclamatory
Answer: (c) Assertive
Explanation: It states a fact.
13. A sentence containing one independent and one subordinate clause is:
(a) Simple (b) Compound (c) Complex (d) Double
Answer: (c) Complex
Explanation: Independent + subordinate = complex.
14. Which word introduces an adverb clause of time?
(a) Who (b) Which (c) When (d) That
Answer: (c) When
Explanation: "When" introduces time clauses.
15. "Here comes the train." The subject is:
(a) Here (b) comes (c) the train (d) the
Answer: (c) the train
Explanation: Inverted order; "What comes?" → the train.
Moderate (16–35)
16. Identify the structure: "He worked hard, so he succeeded."
(a) Simple (b) Compound (c) Complex (d) Compound-Complex
Answer: (b) Compound
Explanation: Two independents joined by "so" (a FANBOYS coordinator).
17. Identify the structure: "He succeeded because he worked hard."
(a) Simple (b) Compound (c) Complex (d) Compound-Complex
Answer: (c) Complex
Explanation: Subordinator "because" introduces a dependent clause.
18. "Having finished his homework, he slept." This sentence is:
(a) Simple (b) Compound (c) Complex (d) Compound-Complex
Answer: (a) Simple
Explanation: Only one finite verb ("slept"); "Having finished" is a participle phrase.
19. In "I know that he is honest," the clause "that he is honest" is a/an:
(a) Adjective clause (b) Adverb clause (c) Noun clause (d) Main clause
Answer: (c) Noun clause
Explanation: It functions as the object of "know".
20. In "The book which I bought is costly," the underlined clause is a/an:
(a) Noun clause (b) Adjective clause (c) Adverb clause (d) Independent clause
Answer: (b) Adjective clause
Explanation: "which I bought" describes "book".
21. Choose the exclamatory sentence:
(a) The view is lovely. (b) Is the view lovely? (c) What a lovely view! (d) See the lovely view.
Answer: (c) What a lovely view!
Explanation: "What a + noun + !" = exclamatory.
22. Choose the compound-complex sentence:
(a) He left early. (b) He left early and rested. (c) He left early because he was tired, and he rested. (d) He left when he was tired.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Two independents + one dependent clause.
23. Which sentence has a dangling modifier?
(a) Walking home, I met a friend. (b) Walking home, a dog chased me. (c) While walking home, I met a friend. (d) I met a friend while walking home.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: "Walking home" wrongly attaches to "a dog".
24. "Scarcely had he arrived ______ the meeting began."
(a) than (b) then (c) when (d) that
Answer: (c) when
Explanation: "Scarcely…when" is the correct correlative.
25. "No sooner had she spoken ______ the crowd cheered."
(a) when (b) than (c) then (d) that
Answer: (b) than
Explanation: "No sooner…than" is the fixed pair.
26. Identify the kind by meaning: "May God bless you!"
(a) Assertive (b) Imperative (c) Optative/Exclamatory (wish) (d) Interrogative
Answer: (c)
Explanation: It expresses a wish/prayer.
27. In "There are many mistakes," the real subject is:
(a) There (b) are (c) many mistakes (d) many
Answer: (c) many mistakes
Explanation: "There" is a dummy subject.
28. "Although he tried, ______ he failed." Choose the correct option (no extra connector).
(a) but (b) so (c) (nothing) (d) yet however
Answer: (c) (nothing)
Explanation: "Although" already subordinates; no "but" needed.
29. Which sentence is simple?
(a) He came and sat down. (b) He came when called. (c) He came, and we left. (d) He came because he was called.
Answer: (a) He came and sat down.
Explanation: One subject, two verbs sharing it = a simple sentence (compound predicate).
30. The relative clause in "The girl who sang won the prize" describes:
(a) prize (b) sang (c) the girl (d) won
Answer: (c) the girl
Explanation: "who sang" qualifies "the girl".
31. Choose the correct inversion:
(a) Never I have seen such a sight. (b) Never have I seen such a sight. (c) Never seen I have such a sight. (d) I never have seen such a sight.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Negative adverb at start forces subject–auxiliary inversion.
32. "He is too weak ______ walk."
(a) that he can (b) to (c) for to (d) so as
Answer: (b) to
Explanation: "too…to" structure.
33. Identify the kind by structure: "When the bell rang, the students rose, and the teacher entered."
(a) Simple (b) Compound (c) Complex (d) Compound-Complex
Answer: (d) Compound-Complex
Explanation: One dependent + two independent clauses.
34. The predicate in "The old man with a stick walked slowly" is:
(a) The old man (b) with a stick (c) walked slowly (d) The old man with a stick
Answer: (c) walked slowly
Explanation: The predicate is what is said about the subject.
35. Which is a noun clause?
(a) The man who came (b) What you said is true (c) When he arrives (d) Because it rained
Answer: (b) What you said is true
Explanation: "What you said" works as the subject (a noun).
Difficult (36–50)
36. "Slow and steady wins the race." The subject takes a singular verb because:
(a) "race" is singular (b) "Slow and steady" is treated as one idea (c) "and" is ignored (d) it is imperative
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The compound phrase denotes a single concept, hence singular "wins".
37. Identify the structure: "To be honest, I disagree."
(a) Simple (b) Compound (c) Complex (d) Compound-Complex
Answer: (a) Simple
Explanation: "To be honest" is an infinitive phrase; one finite verb "disagree".
38. In "He said that he would come if it did not rain," how many clauses are there?
(a) One (b) Two (c) Three (d) Four
Answer: (c) Three
Explanation: Main ("He said") + noun clause ("that he would come") + adverb clause ("if it did not rain").
39. Which sentence is incorrectly classified?
(a) "He runs." — Simple (b) "He runs and jumps." — Compound (c) "He runs because he is fit." — Complex (d) "Run!" — Exclamatory by structure
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Structure is judged by clauses (it is simple); "exclamatory" is a meaning-category, not a structural one.
40. "The reason he failed is ______ he was careless."
(a) because (b) that (c) due to (d) since
Answer: (b) that
Explanation: After "the reason…is", use "that", not "because".
41. Identify the clause type: "This is the place where we met."
(a) Noun clause (b) Adjective clause (c) Adverb clause (d) Main clause
Answer: (b) Adjective clause
Explanation: "where we met" describes "the place" (relative adverb).
42. Which sentence shows a compound predicate but is still simple?
(a) He sang and danced. (b) He sang, and she danced. (c) He sang when she danced. (d) He sang because she danced.
Answer: (a) He sang and danced.
Explanation: One subject "He" with two verbs = one clause = simple.
43. In "Whoever comes first will get a prize," the underlined noun clause functions as the:
(a) Object (b) Subject (c) Complement (d) Adverb
Answer: (b) Subject
Explanation: "Whoever comes first" is the subject of "will get".
44. Choose the correctly punctuated exclamatory sentence:
(a) What a shame. (b) What a shame! (c) What a shame? (d) What a shame,
Answer: (b) What a shame!
Explanation: Exclamatory sentences end with "!".
45. "Not only did he win, but he also broke the record." This sentence is:
(a) Simple (b) Compound (c) Complex (d) Compound-Complex
Answer: (b) Compound
Explanation: Two independent clauses linked by correlative "not only…but also".
46. The inversion in "Not only did he win" occurs because:
(a) it is a question (b) "Not only" begins the sentence (negative opener) (c) the verb is irregular (d) it is exclamatory
Answer: (b)
Explanation: A fronted negative element triggers subject–auxiliary inversion.
47. Identify the structure: "Although it was raining and the road was slippery, he drove on."
(a) Simple (b) Compound (c) Complex (d) Compound-Complex
Answer: (c) Complex
Explanation: Both "it was raining" and "the road was slippery" are subordinate (under "Although"); only one independent clause ("he drove on").
48. Which sentence has an understood subject?
(a) The bell rang. (b) Ring the bell. (c) The bell is ringing. (d) Who rang the bell?
Answer: (b) Ring the bell.
Explanation: Imperative with subject "you" understood.
49. In "It is certain that he will pass," the word "It" is:
(a) the real subject (b) an introductory (anticipatory) subject (c) an object (d) a relative pronoun
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The real subject is the noun clause "that he will pass"; "It" anticipates it.
50. How many finite verbs are there in: "When he arrived, he found that the gates were locked"?
(a) One (b) Two (c) Three (d) Four
Answer: (c) Three
Explanation: "arrived," "found," "were (locked)" — confirming a complex sentence with three clauses.