What is sentence? Pronunciation and usage in English

sentence means . Learn how to pronounce and use sentence through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of sentence

sentencenoun

/ˈsɛnt(ə)ns/
Definition & pronunciation of sentence

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "sentence" in English. It's a tricky one for some! Here's the breakdown:

The standard pronunciation is:

  • /ˈsɛntəns/

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "sen-": This part rhymes with "pen" or "hen". It sounds like "sen" (like the beginning of "send").

  2. "-tence": This is where it gets tricky. It's often mispronounced.

    • The "t" is silent. Don't say "t".
    • The "ence" part sounds like "uhn-sens" (rhymes with "sun"). Think of it almost like "uhn-sense." It's a quick, unstressed "uh" sound followed by "sens".

Putting it all together:

It's like saying: "sen-uhn-sens"

Tips for sounding right:

  • Don’t emphasize the “t”. This is the biggest mistake people make.
  • Keep the "uhn" short and quick. It’s not a long "uh" sound.
  • Practice slowly at first. Focus on each syllable individually.
  • Listen to native speakers. The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. You can find many examples on:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word sentence in English

Let's break down how to use the word "sentence" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Grammatical Unit (Most Common Usage)

  • Definition: A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It needs a subject (who or what is doing the action) and a verb (the action itself).
  • Structure: Generally, a sentence follows this basic structure:
    • Subject + Verb + (Optional Objects, Adjectives, Adverbs)
  • Examples:
    • “The dog barks.” (Subject: dog, Verb: barks)
    • “She is reading a book.” (Subject: she, Verb: is reading)
    • “The tall, green tree swayed in the wind.” (Subject: tree, Verb: swayed; Adjectives: tall, green)

2. As a Statement or Declaration

  • Definition: When referring to a spoken or written statement.
  • Examples:
    • “He made a sentence about the weather.” (Referring to a verbal statement)
    • “That’s a pretty sentence to end the conversation.” (Referring to a written statement)

3. As a Sentence in a Larger Text (e.g., Literature, Writing)

  • Definition: A single line of writing that forms a complete thought within a paragraph or larger piece.
  • Example: “The rain fell steadily, creating a shimmering surface on the pavement.” (This is a sentence within a longer paragraph.)

4. "Sentence" as a Punishment (Informal)

  • Definition: To give someone a "sentence" is to give them a punishment, especially in jail. This is a more figurative use.
  • Example: “The judge gave him a lengthy sentence.”

5. "Sentence" as a Sequence of Words (Less Common, but Important)

  • Definition: Sometimes, "sentence" is used to describe just a collection of words intended to be a complete thought, even if it doesn’t perfectly fit traditional grammatical rules. This is often seen in creative writing or informal contexts.
  • Example: “She delivered a long, rambling sentence about her childhood.” (The sentence isn't perfectly structured grammatically, but it's a cohesive chain of words attempting to convey an idea.)

Key Points & Tips:

  • Complete Thought: The most important thing for a sentence is that it expresses a whole idea.
  • Capitalization & Punctuation: Sentences generally begin with a capital letter and end with punctuation (a period, question mark, or exclamation point).
  • Varied Sentence Structure: Good writing uses a variety of sentence lengths and structures to keep the reader engaged.

Could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you trying to use "sentence" for? (e.g., are you writing a story, studying grammar, understanding a text, etc.) Knowing the context will allow me to give you more tailored advice.
  • Do you want me to give you examples of sentences using "sentence" in different ways?

Synonyms for the word sentence

Comment ()