Completing Sentence: A Comprehension Guide With Details & Explanations

In the vast landscape of the English language, sentence structure plays a pivotal role in conveying clear and coherent ideas. One essential aspect of sentence structure is the concept of “completing sentences.” Understanding how sentences are completed helps in crafting precise and meaningful statements, which is crucial for both written and spoken communication. This article delves into what completing sentences are, how they function within a sentence, and explores various types of completing sentences with definitions, examples, and explanations.

What is a Completing Sentence?

A completing sentence is a sentence that is fully developed and expresses a complete thought. It typically contains a subject and a predicate and provides enough information to stand alone without requiring additional context. Completing sentences are fundamental in both writing and speech, ensuring clarity and completeness in communication.

How Do Completing Sentences Work in a Sentence?

Completing sentences function by providing all necessary components to convey a full idea. A complete sentence must include at least one subject and one predicate. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about, while the predicate contains the verb and provides information about the subject. For a sentence to be complete, it must not leave the reader or listener wondering about the who, what, where, when, why, or how of the statement.

Types of Completing Sentences

Completing sentences can be categorized into various types, each serving a unique purpose in communication. Below are the primary types of completing sentences, along with definitions, examples, and explanations:

1. Declarative SentencesDefinition: Declarative sentences make a statement or express an opinion. They provide information and end with a period.

   Example: “The sun rises in the east.”

   Explanation: This sentence states a fact, providing complete information about the natural phenomenon of the sun rising.

2. Interrogative SentencesDefinition: Interrogative sentences ask a question. They seek information and end with a question mark.

   Example: “What time does the meeting start?”

   Explanation: This sentence asks for specific information about the starting time of a meeting.

3. Imperative SentencesDefinition: Imperative sentences give commands, make requests, or offer invitations. They usually end with a period but can also end with an exclamation mark for emphasis.

   Example: “Please close the door.”

   Explanation: This sentence gives a polite command, instructing someone to close the door.

4. Exclamatory SentencesDefinition: Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions or feelings. They end with an exclamation mark.

   Example: “What a beautiful view!”

   Explanation: This sentence expresses admiration for a view, conveying a strong emotional response.

5. Simple SentencesDefinition: Simple sentences consist of a single independent clause with a subject and a predicate.

   Example: “She runs every morning.”

   Explanation: This sentence contains one subject (“she”) and one predicate (“runs every morning”), presenting a complete thought.

6. Compound SentencesDefinition: Compound sentences consist of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon.

   Example: “I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.”

   Explanation: This sentence has two independent clauses (“I wanted to go for a walk” and “it started to rain”) joined by the coordinating conjunction “but.”

7. Complex SentencesDefinition: Complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which cannot stand alone.

   Example: “Although it was raining, we decided to go hiking.”

   Explanation: This sentence has an independent clause (“we decided to go hiking”) and a dependent clause (“Although it was raining”) that provides additional information.

8. Compound-Complex SentencesDefinition: Compound-complex sentences have at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

   Example: “She went to the store because she needed milk, but the store was closed.”

   Explanation: This sentence includes two independent clauses (“She went to the store” and “the store was closed”) and one dependent clause (“because she needed milk”).

Examples and Explanations of Completing Sentences in Context

To further illustrate the different types of completing sentences, let’s explore a few examples in various contexts:

1. Declarative Sentence in ContextExample: “The project deadline is next Monday.”

   Explanation: This declarative sentence provides clear information about the project deadline, leaving no room for ambiguity.

2. Interrogative Sentence in ContextExample: “How can we improve our marketing strategy?”

   Explanation: This interrogative sentence seeks information or suggestions about enhancing the marketing strategy, prompting a response.

3. Imperative Sentence in ContextExample: “Submit the report by Friday.”

   Explanation: This imperative sentence commands someone to submit a report by a specific deadline, indicating urgency.

4. Exclamatory Sentence in ContextExample: “I can’t believe we won the championship!”

   Explanation: This exclamatory sentence expresses excitement and surprise about winning a championship, emphasizing strong emotion.

5. Simple Sentence in ContextExample: “He enjoys reading books.”

   Explanation: This simple sentence conveys a complete thought about someone’s enjoyment of reading books, with a straightforward subject and predicate.

6. Compound Sentence in ContextExample: “She wanted to buy a new car, but she decided to save money instead.”

   Explanation: This compound sentence presents two related ideas, joined by the coordinating conjunction “but,” showing a contrast between desire and decision.

7. Complex Sentence in ContextExample: “If you finish your homework, you can watch TV.”

   Explanation: This complex sentence includes a dependent clause (“If you finish your homework”) and an independent clause (“you can watch TV”), providing a conditional relationship.

8. Compound-Complex Sentence in ContextExample: “Although she was tired, she finished her assignment, and she went to bed early.”

   Explanation: This compound-complex sentence combines two independent clauses (“she finished her assignment” and “she went to bed early”) with a dependent clause (“Although she was tired”), illustrating a sequence of events influenced by fatigue.

See More “Conditional Sentence”

Examples for Completing Sentences Rules

Rule 1: It is time + for + personal object + to + verb (present form)

• It is time for you to complete your homework.
• It is time for us to leave the house.

Rule 2: It is time + subject + verb (past form)

• It is time he understood the consequences.
• It is time she made a decision.

Rule 3: Present Indefinite + as if/as though + past indefinite

• She talks as if she were an expert.
• He sings as if he were a professional singer.

Rule 4: Past Indefinite + as if/as though + past perfect

• She acted as if she had seen a ghost.
• He spoke as though he had known the truth all along.

Rule 5: If + Present Indefinite + future indefinite tense (will + V1)

• If it rains, we will stay inside.
• If he calls, I will answer.

Rule 6: If + Past Indefinite + would/could + verb (present form)

• If I had more time, I would travel the world.
• If she knew, she would tell us.

Rule 7: If + Past Perfect + would have/could have + verb (past participle form)

• If he had studied harder, he would have passed the exam.
• If we had left earlier, we could have avoided the traffic.

Rule 8: Had + Verb (Past Participle Form) + would have/could have + verb (past participle form)

• Had they known, they would have prepared.
• Had she tried, she could have succeeded.

Rule 9: If + Subject + were + would + verb (present form)

• If he were rich, he would buy a mansion.
• If she were here, she would know what to do.

Rule 10: Present/Future Indefinite Tense + when/after + present perfect

• You will feel better after you have rested.
• Call me when you have arrived.

Rule 11: Would that/I wish + were + …

• I wish I were in Paris right now.
• Would that he were here to see this.

Rule 12: Would you mind + verb(ing) + …?

• Would you mind closing the window?
• Would you mind helping me with this?

Rule 13: It is time + to + verb (present form) + …

• It is time to go home.
• It is time to clean the house.

Rule 14: …so much/many + … + that + subject + can/cannot + …

• He has so much experience that he can handle any situation.
• There are so many books that we cannot read them all.

Rule 15: …too + adjective + to + verb (present form)

• The soup is too hot to eat.
• She is too tired to continue.

Rule 16: …too + adjective/adverb + for + personal object + to + verb (present form)

• The bag is too heavy for her to carry.
• The task is too complex for them to complete.

Rule 17: …so + adjective/adverb + that + subject + cannot/could not + verb (present form)

• The noise was so loud that we could not sleep.
• The work is so difficult that he cannot finish it.

Rule 18: …so that + subject + can/could/may/might + verb (present form) + …

• She saves money so that she can travel.
• He trains hard so that he can win the competition.

Rule 19: …in order that + subject + can/could/may/might + verb (present form) + …

• They left early in order that they might arrive on time.
• She studied hard in order that she could pass the test.

Rule 20: …lest + subject + should + verb (present form) + …

• He whispered lest he should be overheard.
• She hurried lest she should miss the bus.

Rule 21: …would rather/sooner + verb + than + verb/noun

• I would rather read than watch TV.
• He would sooner walk than take the bus.

Rule 22: …had better + verb (present form) + …

• You had better check the schedule.
• She had better call her parents.

Rule 23: …how + to + verb (present form) + …

• He learned how to drive.
• They discovered how to solve the puzzle.

Rule 24: Without + verb(ing) + (meaningful negative sentence)

• Without working hard, you cannot succeed.
• Without eating healthy, you cannot stay fit.

Rule 25: By + verb(ing) + (meaningful affirmative sentence)

• By exercising regularly, you can improve your health.
• By practicing daily, she can master the piano.

Rule 26: …provided/provided that/providing that/if + (meaningful sentence)

• You can go provided that you finish your homework.
• He will join us provided the weather is good.

Rule 27: …since/as/because + subject + verb (meaningful sentence)

• Since it is raining, we will stay indoors.
• Because he is diligent, he excels in his studies.

Rule 28: …though/although/in spite of/despite + subject + verb (alternative meaningful sentence)

• Though he is young, he is very responsible.
• Despite the rain, we went for a walk.

Rule 29: …unless/if…not + (meaningful affirmative sentence)

• Unless you hurry, you will be late.
• If you do not study, you will fail.

Rule 30: …instead of/in lieu of + (meaningful word or sentence)

• She chose tea instead of coffee.
• They used wood in lieu of metal.

Rule 31: …because of/on account of/owing to/due to + (meaningful word or sentence)

• They canceled the event because of the storm.
• On account of his kindness, he is loved by all.

Rule 32: …no sooner…than/scarcely had…when/hardly had…when + past indefinite tense

• No sooner had she arrived than the meeting started.
• Hardly had we left when it began to snow.

Rule 33: …let alone + (meaningful word or phrase)

• He can’t cook an omelet, let alone a gourmet meal.
• She can’t run a mile, let alone a marathon.

Rule 34: …the place + where + (meaningful affirmative sentence)

• This is the place where they met.
• The library is the place where she studies.

Rule 35: …the time/year/day + when + (meaningful affirmative sentence)

• 2001 is the year when we moved to this city.
• Noon is the time when he takes his lunch break.

Rule 36: …that + (meaningful sentence)

• I believe that she is right.
• He thinks that the plan will work.

Rule 37: …feel, suppose, imagine, discover, know, judge, assume + to be + adjective

• They imagined him to be brave.
• We judged her to be fair.

Rule 38: …as long as + (meaningful sentence)

• Stay here as long as you need.
• He will support you as long as you try your best.

Rule 39: …till/until + (meaningful affirmative sentence)

• Wait until I finish.
• Stay here till he comes back.

Rule 40: …in case + (meaningful sentence)

• Take an umbrella in case it rains.
• Call me in case you need help.

Frequently Asked Questions about Completing Sentences

What is a completing sentence?

A completing sentence is a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete thought without requiring additional context.

How do declarative sentences function?

Declarative sentences make statements or express opinions, providing information and ending with a period.

What is the difference between compound and complex sentences?

Compound sentences consist of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, while complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Can a sentence be both compound and complex?

Yes, compound-complex sentences have at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses, combining elements of both compound and complex sentences.

How do interrogative sentences seek information?

Interrogative sentences ask questions and end with a question mark, prompting a response or information from the reader or listener.

What role do imperative sentences play in communication?

Imperative sentences give commands, make requests, or offer invitations, usually ending with a period but sometimes with an exclamation mark for emphasis.