1.    We use words when we speak or write. We usually use these words in a group in correct order.

The cat sat on the mat.
A group of words which makes complete sense, is called a sentence.
Thus a sentence is a group of words that are kept in a particular order to make a complete sense.

2.    Sentences are of four kinds:

1. Those which make statements or assertions; as:
   Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
   This is called a Declarative or Assertive sentence.
2. Those which ask questions: as:
   What is your name?
   This is called an Interrogative sentence.
3. Those which express commands, requests or entreaties; as:
   Be quiet.
   Have mercy on me.
   This is called an Imperative sentence.
4. Those which express strong feelings, as:
   How warm the day is!
   What a shameful behaviour!
   This is called an Exclamatory sentence.

3.    Every sentence has two parts!

(i) Subject and (ii) Predicate
When we make a sentence –
(i) We name some person or thing.
(ii) 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.
(a)  So, the part which names the person or thing we are speaking about is called the Subject of the sentence.
(b)  The part which tells something about the subject is called the Predicate of the sentence.
For example:
Subject              Predicate
Suresh                   runs
Birds                      fly
Girls                       play
My brother           passed the examination
It                             is very cold today
The dogs               bark at night.

4. The subject of a sentence usually comes first, but occasionally it is put after the predicate also; as:

(i) Here comes the bus.
(ii) Sweet are the uses of adversity.

5.    However, in imperative sentences the subject is left out; as:

(i) Sit down—Here the subject you is understood.
(ii) Thank him—Here too the subject ‘you’ is understood.

6.    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. These usually do not have Subject or Predicate.

1. Honesty pays in the long run.
2. The sun rises in the east.
3. The Prime Minister’s post is not a bed of roses.
4. Show me how to do it.
5. It was a sunset of great beauty.

Exercise 1

Separate the Subject and the Predicate in the following sentences:

1. The boy stood on the last bench.
2. The singing of the birds makes me happy.
3. A good boy passed the examination.
4. It is very hot.
5. The cow gives us milk.
6. The earth revolves round the sun.
7. Edison invented the phonograph.
8. Delhi is the capital of India.
9. We cannot make the ocean dry.
10. No man can serve two masters.

Answer:

Subject                                     Predicate

1. The boy                                          stood on the last bench
2. The singing of the birds             makes me happy
3. A good boy                                    passed the examination
4. It                                                     is very hot
5. The cow                                         gives us milk
6. The earth                                       revolves round the sun
7. Edison                                           invented the phonograph
8. Delhi                                              is the capital of India
9. We                                                  cannot make the ocean dry
10. No man                                         can serve two masters

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences by inserting a suitable subject:

1. ………………….. bark at night.
2. ………………….. sets in the west.
3. ………………….. gives us milk.
4. ………………….. is cloudy today.
5. ………………….. fly in the air.
6. ………………….. sleep on the roof at night. ,
7. ………………….. am in a hurry.
8. ………………….. opens at 10 o’clock in the morning.
9. ………………….. are playing football.
10. ………………….. greeted me with a sweet smile.

Answer:

1. Dogs    2. The sun    3. The cow  4. It   5. Birds   6. They   7. I   8. This shop  9. Boys   10. He

Exercise 3

Put a suitable Predicate to complete the following sentences:

1. The moon …………………..
2. The sun …………………..
3. The crow …………………..
4. Dogs …………………..
5. The rose …………………..
6. Stars  …………………..
7. Delhi …………………..
8. Cows …………………..
9. The door …………………..
10. The peon …………………..

Answer:

1. appears at night. 2. rises in the east. 3. flies in the sky. 4. bark at the strangers. 5. has a sweet smell. 6. look beautiful in the night. 7. is the capital of India. 8. give us milk. 9. was closed in the night. 10. has to work very hard.

Exercise 4

Name the type of sentences:

1. Please let me work.
2. The boys make a noise.
3. Stand up.
4. What a clever girl you are!
5. Where do you live?
6. What a horrible sight it was!
7. My father is a bank employee.
8. Children like sweets.
9. Who is at the door?
10. Don’t make a noise.

Answer:

1. Imperative sentence
2. Assertive sentence
3. Imperative sentence
4. Exclamatory sentence
5. Interrogative sentence
6. Exclamatory sentence
7. Assertive sentence
8. Assertive sentence
9. Interrogative sentence
10. Imperative sentence.