Sentence

Features of a sentence

Every sentence must:

• be about one idea
• make complete sense
• contain at least one noun
• contain a verb
• start with a capital letter
• end with a full stop (mostly)

We can write sentences in different tenses to tell us when something happened - the past, present or future.

Examples of simple sentences

• Mum reads a book.
• Claire plays football happily.

Types of sentences

Sentences comes in different types, they can be statements, questions and commands.

Statement

A statement is a type of simple sentence that expresses a fact or opinion. Sentences which are statements will end with a full stop.

Example statements:

• The sunset is beautiful. (opinion)
• A bird catches fish. (fact)
• I love that book. (opinion)

Question

A question is a type of simple sentence that asks the reader for an answer. Sentences which are questions will end with a question mark.

Example questions:

• How old are you?
• What colour is your hair?
• What time is it?

Command

A command is a type of simple sentence that tells someone to do something. Depending on the context a command can end in either a full stop or an exclamation mark.

Example commands:

• Feed the fish.
• Look at the dolphin jumping!