sentencestructure

Sentence structure refers to the rules and patterns that govern how sentences are formed in a language. It encompasses the arrangement of core elements such as subjects and predicates, as well as the organization of objects, complements, modifiers, and various phrases. At its most basic level, a sentence combines a subject with a predicate to express a complete thought.

Key components include the subject, which denotes who or what the sentence is about, and the predicate, which describes the action or state. Objects receive the action, while complements complete meaning such as predicative adjectives or noun phrases. Modifiers provide additional detail. Phrases like noun phrases, verb phrases, prepositional phrases, and adjective or adverb phrases function within the sentence to add meaning and structure. Clausal structure adds further layers: independent (main) clauses can stand alone, while dependent (subordinate) clauses rely on other clauses. Complex sentences weave dependent clauses with independent ones; compound sentences join multiple independent clauses; compound-complex sentences combine both.

Word order varies across languages. Many use a subject–verb–object (SVO) order, but others favor subject–object–verb (SOV), verb–subject–object (VSO), or other patterns. In languages with flexible word order, case marking, agreement, or particles help signal grammatical roles. Sentence types can be categorized by function—declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamative—or by structure, such as simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.

Punctuation and intonation also influence how sentences are parsed and understood. Effective sentence structure supports clarity, coherence, and the intended communicative purpose, while cross-linguistic differences reflect a range of syntactic conventions.