CBSE Class 3 English The Sentence Notes Set 02

What is a sentence?

A sentence is a group of words that makes complete sense. Not every group of words is a sentence. The words must be in the right order and must tell us something complete.

Two groups of the same words

1. want I to play friends with my

2. I want to play with my friends.

The first group has the words in the wrong order and does not make sense. The second group makes complete sense, so it is a sentence.

Features of a sentence

1. The words are in the proper order.

2. It makes complete sense.

3. It contains a verb (an action or doing word).

4. It begins with a capital letter.

5. It ends with a full stop (.), a question mark (?) or an exclamation mark (!).

Kinds of sentences by their ending

A statement tells us something and ends with a full stop: The sun rises in the east.

A question asks something and ends with a question mark: Are you feeling hungry?

An exclamation shows a strong feeling and ends with an exclamation mark: Hurray, we won the match!

Incomplete groups of words

Some groups of words look like sentences but are not. "The teacher are" and "found a bunch" leave the thought unfinished, so they do not make complete sense. We cannot call them sentences.

Key points

1. A sentence makes complete sense.

2. It starts with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark.

3. Jumbled words must be rearranged to form a sentence.

4. Check for a doing word (verb) to see if the group is complete.

Worked examples

Example 1. Arrange the words to make a sentence: book this interesting is.

Start with this, then book, then is, then interesting. Answer: This book is interesting.

Example 2. Is "Ritu lives in a big house." a sentence?

Yes. It begins with a capital letter, has the verb lives, makes complete sense and ends with a full stop.

Example 3. Is "what do you" a sentence?

No. It does not make complete sense, and it needs more words such as: What do you want?

Making your own sentences

Choose a subject (who or what), then a verb (what is done), then complete the thought. Example: The girl (subject) sings (verb) a song (the rest). Always read your sentence aloud. If something sounds missing, add more words until the thought feels complete.

Jumbled words practice

To rearrange jumbled words, first find the doing word. Next find who does it. Then fit in the remaining words. Finally add a capital letter at the start and a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark at the end.

Example: look you smart wow. Answer: Wow, you look smart!

Quick Check Questions