All English Grammar

Word: The Definition & Criteria
In traditional grammar, word is the basic unit of language. Words can be classified

according to their action and meaning, but it is challenging to define.

A word refers to a speech sound, or a mixture of two or more speech sounds in
both written and verbal form of language. A word works as a symbol to
represent/refer to something/someone in language to communicate a
specific meaning.
Example : ‘love’, ‘cricket’, ‘sky’ etc.
"[A word is the] smallest unit of grammar that can stand alone as a

complete utterance, separated by spaces in written language and
potentially by pauses in speech." (David Crystal, The Cambridge
Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press, 2003)
There are several criteria for a speech sound, or a combination of some speech
sounds to be called a word.
o There must be a potential pause in speech and a space in written form

between two words.
For instance, suppose ‘ball’ and ‘bat’ are two different words. So, if we use
them in a sentence, we must have a potential pause after pronouncing each
of them. It cannot be like “Idonotplaywithbatball.” If we take pause, these
sounds can be regarded as seven distinct words which are ‘I,' ‘do,' ‘not,'
‘play,' ‘with,' ‘bat,' and ‘ball.'
o Every word must contain at least one root. If you break this root, it
cannot be a word anymore.
For example, the word ‘unfaithful’ has a root ‘faith.' If we break ‘faith’ into
‘fa’ and ‘ith,' these sounds will not be regarded as words.
o Every word must have a meaning.

For example, the sound ‘lakkanah’ has no meaning in the English language.
So, it cannot be an English word.
Sentence: Definition & Types
A sentence is the largest unit of any language. In English, it begins with a capital
letter and ends with a full-stop, or a question mark, or an exclamation mark.
The sentence is generally defined as a word or a group of words that expresses a
thorough idea by giving a statement/order, or asking a question, or exclaiming.
Example:
He is a good boy (statement), Is he a good boy? (question), What a nice weather!

(exclaiming).
Ideally, a sentence requires at least one subject and one verb. Sometimes the

subject of a sentence can be hidden, but the verb must be visible and present in
the sentence. Verb is called the heart of a sentence.
Example:
Do it. (In this sentence, a subject ‘you’ is hidden but verb ‘do’ is visible)
“[A sentence is] a group of words, usually containing a verb, that expresses a

thought in the form of a statement, question, instruction, or
exclamation and starts with a capital letter when written.” (Cambridge Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press.)
In other words, a complete English sentence must have three characteristics:
o First, in written form, a sentence begins with a capital letter and ends
with a period (i.e., a full stop) [.], a note of interrogation (i.e., a question
mark) [?], or a note of exclamation (i.e., an exclamation mark) [!].
o Second, it must express a complete thought, not fragmented.
o Third, it must contain at least one subject (hidden/visible) and one verb
comprising an independent clause. (An independent clause contains an
independent subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.)

Types of Sentences
Structurally, sentences are of four types:
Simple sentence
A simple sentence must have a single clause (a single verb) which is independent,
and it cannot take another clause.
Example:
I always wanted to become a writer. (One clause – one verb)
Compound sentence
A compound sentence must have more than one independent clause with no
dependent clauses. Some specific conjunctions, punctuation, or both are used to
join together these clauses.
Example:
I always wanted to become a writer, and she wanted to become a doctor. (Two
independent clauses – two verbs)
Complex sentence
A complex sentence also has more than one clause but of one them must be an
independent clause and the other/others must be (a) dependent clause(es). There
are also some particular connectors for the clauses of a complex sentence to be
connected.
Example:
I know that you always wanted to be a writer. (Here, a dependent clause is
followed by a connector and an independent clause. The other way around is also
possible.)
Compound-complex sentence
A compound-complex sentence (or complex–compound sentence) is a mixture of
the features of compound and complex sentences in one sentence. So, it must
contain at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Example:
I know that you always wanted to become a writer, but I always wanted to become
a doctor. (Here, one dependent clause is followed by a complex connector and two
independent clauses with a compound conjunction between them.)

Functionally, sentences are of mainly four types:
Declarative sentence:
An assertive sentence (declarative sentence) simply expresses an opinion/feeling,
or makes a statement, or describes things. In other words, it declares something.
This type of sentence ends with a period (i.e., a full-stop).
Examples:
o I want to be a good cricketer. (a statement)
o I am very happy today. (a feeling)
Imperative sentence:
We use an imperative sentence to make a request or to give a command.
Imperative sentences usually end with a period (i.e., a full stop), but under certain
circumstances, it can end with a note of exclamation (i.e., exclamation mark).
Examples:
o Please sit down.
o I need you to sit down now!
Interrogative sentence:
An interrogative sentence asks a question. Interrogative sentences must end with a
note of interrogation (i.e., question mark)
Examples:
o When are you going to submit your assignment?
o Do you know him?
Exclamatory sentence.
An exclamatory sentence expresses overflow of emotions. These emotions can be
of happiness, wonder, sorrow, anger, etc.
Examples:
o What a day it was!
o I cannot believe he would do that!
Parts of Speech
Parts of speech are the classification of words categorized by their roles and
functions within the structure of the language.
Parts of speech encompass everything a language has in itself. Can you imagine all
the words of a language can be sorted into these categories? They play different
roles in the structure of a language.
In English, there are eight parts of speech:
Noun
Noun refers to people, places, things, ideas, concepts, etc.
Example: Michael is a good boy. Melbourne is the best city.
Pronoun
A pronoun is used to refer to a noun/noun phrase, or nouns/noun phrases; instead
of the repeated use of the same noun(s)/noun phrase(s).
Example: Michael is a good boy. He gets up early in the morning.
Verb
Verb shows an action or an ongoing condition. It is considered as the heart of a
sentence.
Example: Alex is going home. He loves his home.
Adjective
Adjective modifies or describes noun in a sentence.
Example: Alex loves his beautiful daughters. His daughters also love

their caring father.
Adverb
Adverbs modify or describe adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. It answers the
questions When? Where? How? or How much?
Example: He is running fast. She always reads attentively.

Preposition
Preposition gives context to nouns in relationship to other nouns or pronouns.
Example: I am going to France. France is in Europe.
Conjunction
A conjunction connects nouns, noun phrases, clauses or sentences together.
Example: Julie love chocolate and chips. She loves pasta, but she hates pizza.
Interjection
Interjections are brief and abrupt pauses in speech, usually used for expressing
emotions.
Example: Oh! That feels terrible. Alas! They have lost the match.

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Word: The Definition & Criteria

In traditional grammar, word is the basic unit of language. Words can be classified

Example : ‘love’, ‘cricket’, ‘sky’ etc.

"[A word is the] smallest unit of grammar that can stand alone as a

o There must be a potential pause in speech and a space in written form

o Every word must have a meaning.

He is a good boy (statement), Is he a good boy? (question), What a nice weather!

Ideally, a sentence requires at least one subject and one verb. Sometimes the

“[A sentence is] a group of words, usually containing a verb, that expresses a

In other words, a complete English sentence must have three characteristics:

o Second, it must express a complete thought, not fragmented.

Structurally, sentences are of four types:

I always wanted to become a writer. (One clause – one verb)

In English, there are eight parts of speech:

Example: Michael is a good boy. Melbourne is the best city.

Example: Michael is a good boy. He gets up early in the morning.

Example: Alex is going home. He loves his home.

Example: Alex loves his beautiful daughters. His daughters also love

Example: I am going to France. France is in Europe.

Example: Julie love chocolate and chips. She loves pasta, but she hates pizza.

Example: Oh! That feels terrible. Alas! They have lost the match.

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