Types of Sentence

There are two main types of sentences: regular and irregular. They can also be called: major and minor.

Major Sentences

These are sentences that can be broken down into a specific pattern of elements (clauses):

My son                       has dropped                        a vase                       on the floor

David                         painted                                his house                  today

I                                 threw                                   a ball                        at John

Simple Sentences

A one clause sentence is called a 'simple sentence'. For example:

John dropped a rock on his toe. 

Multiple Sentences

A sentence with more than one clause is called a 'multiple sentence'. For example.

John dropped a rock on his toe and Freddie dropped a rock on his toe.

Minor Sentences

Minor sentences are not constructed in a regular way. Unlike major sentences, they use abnormal patterns and cannot be organised into a series of clause elements. They often appear in every day conversation and when dialogue is written in fiction.

Examples

Formulae for stereotyped social situations:

Hello. How are you? Thanks. Cheers!


Emotional noises - Known as interjections:

Oi! Hey! Tut-tut. Shh! Ow!
                              

Proverbs or pithy sayings - Known as aphorisms:

Easy come, easy go. Like father, like son.


Abbreviated forms:

Wish you were here. Mix well. One lap more:


Words and phrases that are used as exclamations, questions, or commands:

Nice day! Oh for a gin! Taxi? All aboard!

Usage

Minor sentences, unlike major sentences, have to be remembered and used at they are. In a major sentence you can change the tense:

John drops a rock on his foot.

John dropped a rock on his foot.

Minor sentences however, don't work in this way:

Wish you were here.

Wish you are here.