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

Practice with vocabulary sentence

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. A well-structured ________ is crucial for conveying complex ideas clearly in academic writing.
  2. The spokesperson released a formal ________ detailing the company's new environmental policy.
  3. In English grammar, a complete ________ typically contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought.
  4. After careful deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous ________ of guilty for the defendant.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following best describes "The project budget was approved by the board."? a) a phrase b) a complete thought c) a dependent clause d) a declarative sentence e) a run-on

  2. In formal communication, what should typically begin with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark (like a period, question mark, or exclamation point)? a) a phrase b) a sentence c) an idiom d) a conjunction e) a statement

  3. What is a fundamental unit of meaning and grammatical structure in a language, often comprising at least one independent clause? a) an utterance b) a clause c) a sentence d) an expression e) a paragraph

  4. During the recent legal proceedings, the judge issued a formal declaration of the court's decision regarding the custody case. This is commonly referred to as a: a) preamble b) verdict c) clause d) judgment e) decree

  5. Which of these is a group of words that functions as a unit in a larger structure but does not contain both a subject and a finite verb? a) a paragraph b) a statement c) a phrase d) an independent clause e) an expression

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The researcher found it challenging to articulate individual ideas clearly due to the complexity of the data. Rewrite using "sentence" or a related word form:

  2. Original: His poor writing style made it difficult for readers to grasp the main points of his proposal. Rewrite using "sentence" or a related word form:

  3. Original: The disciplinary committee announced the employee would face a one-month suspension without pay. Rewrite without using "sentence", but a suitable replacement word:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. sentence
  2. statement
  3. sentence
  4. verdict

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) a complete thought, d) a declarative sentence
  2. b) a sentence, e) a statement
  3. c) a sentence
  4. b) verdict, d) judgment, e) decree
  5. c) a phrase, e) an expression

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The researcher found it challenging to articulate each individual sentence clearly due to the complexity of the data.
  2. His poor writing style made it difficult for readers to grasp the main points of his proposal, as many of his sentences lacked clarity and precision.
  3. The disciplinary committee's ruling was that the employee would face a one-month suspension without pay.

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