Noun Verb A2–C1 /ˈsen.təns/

Sentence — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

A complete thought in words — or the judgement that follows a verdict.

Quick Definition

Noun (grammar): A sentence is a grammatical unit that expresses a complete thought, containing at least a subject and a finite verb. It begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark.

Noun (law): A sentence is a punishment officially given to someone found guilty in a court of law.

Verb: To sentence someone is to officially impose a legal punishment on them.

What Does Sentence Mean?

Sentence comes from Latin sententia, meaning "opinion", "thought", or "judgement", derived from sentire (to feel, to perceive). The word passed into English via Old French sentence in the 13th century, initially carrying the legal and philosophical senses of a formal opinion or ruling. By the late 14th century it had acquired its grammatical meaning — a complete unit of language expressing a thought — and both senses have remained active ever since.

In everyday English, sentence is one of the first grammar words learners encounter. A grammatically complete sentence requires a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a predicate containing a finite verb (what the subject does or is). "She laughed." is a complete sentence; "Laughing quietly in the corner." is not.

Beyond the classroom, sentence appears frequently in legal reporting: "The judge handed down a five-year sentence." When used as a verb — "The court sentenced him to community service." — it describes the act of imposing that punishment. Understanding both meanings will help you read news articles and academic texts with confidence.

Example Sentences by CEFR Level

SentenceLevel & Note
Write a sentence about your family. A2 — classroom instruction, basic grammar sense
Every sentence in English needs a subject and a verb. B1 — grammar explanation, core rule
The judge gave the defendant a suspended sentence of twelve months. B1 — legal noun, news context
A good sentence in academic English usually has one main idea per clause. B2 — academic writing advice, complex noun phrase
The court sentenced the former executive to three years in prison, with an additional two-year period of supervised release. C1 — verb form, formal legal register, complex structure

Collocations

CollocationExample
write a sentenceWrite a sentence using the word "although".
complete sentenceAlways answer in a complete sentence during the speaking exam.
topic sentenceThe topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about.
complex sentenceA complex sentence contains a main clause and at least one subordinate clause.
long / short sentenceVarying long and short sentences improves the rhythm of your writing.
prison sentenceHe received a three-year prison sentence for fraud.
life sentenceThe judge handed down a life sentence for the most serious offence.
suspended sentenceShe was given a suspended sentence and will serve no time in jail.
sentence someone toThe magistrate sentenced him to 200 hours of community service.
opening sentenceThe opening sentence of your essay should hook the reader immediately.

Usage Notes

How to Use Sentence Correctly

  • In grammar contexts, sentence is countable: "Write three sentences." The plural is sentences.
  • The verb pattern is sentence + object + to + noun phrase: "The court sentenced him to five years." Never use "sentence + object + for": ✗ "sentenced him for five years."
  • In academic writing, avoid very long sentences (over 40 words) — they lose the reader. Aim for one main idea per sentence.
  • Sentence (grammar) and sentence (law) are the same word but operate in completely separate registers. Context will always make the meaning clear.
  • Do not confuse sentence with phrase. A phrase lacks a finite verb and does not express a complete thought: "the tall tree" is a phrase, not a sentence.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

She was sentenced for two years in prison.

She was sentenced to two years in prison. (use to, not for)

Running quickly down the street. (not a sentence — no subject)

She was running quickly down the street. (complete sentence with subject + finite verb)

The sentence it begins with a capital letter.

The sentence begins with a capital letter. (remove the redundant pronoun — a common ESL error)

Related Words

clause phrase paragraph grammar verb subject predicate statement

Synonyms & Near Synonyms

utterance clause statement expression verdict ruling judgement penalty

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “sentence”

What does sentence mean in English grammar?
In grammar, a sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It must contain at least a subject and a finite verb. In written English, a sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark.
What is the difference between a sentence and a clause?
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb, but it may not express a complete thought on its own. A sentence is an independent unit that does express a complete thought. Every sentence contains at least one main clause, but a clause is not always a full sentence.
Can sentence be used as a verb?
Yes. To sentence someone means to officially assign a legal punishment: 'The judge sentenced the defendant to two years in prison.' The verb form is used in legal and journalistic contexts. It follows the pattern: sentence + object + to + punishment.
What are the four types of sentences in English?
The four main types are: (1) declarative — states a fact ('The cat sat on the mat.'); (2) interrogative — asks a question ('Did the cat sit on the mat?'); (3) imperative — gives a command ('Sit down.'); (4) exclamatory — expresses strong emotion ('What a wonderful surprise!'). Each type serves a different communicative purpose.
What makes a sentence grammatically complete?
A grammatically complete sentence requires at minimum a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a predicate containing a finite verb (what the subject does or is). 'She runs.' is a complete sentence. 'Running quickly.' is not — it lacks a subject and a finite verb.
What is a topic sentence?
A topic sentence is the main sentence of a paragraph that states its central idea, usually placed at the beginning. It tells the reader what the paragraph will be about and helps organise academic and professional writing. Good topic sentences are clear, specific, and arguable.
What is the difference between a simple and a compound sentence?
A simple sentence contains one main clause: 'She studied hard.' A compound sentence contains two or more main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so): 'She studied hard, and she passed the exam.' A complex sentence contains one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.
How long should a sentence be in academic English?
There is no strict rule, but academic writing generally recommends sentences of 20–30 words for clarity. Very short sentences can seem abrupt; very long sentences can confuse the reader. Varying sentence length creates better rhythm. A good principle is one main idea per sentence.
What is the origin of the word sentence?
Sentence comes from Latin 'sententia', meaning 'opinion', 'thought', or 'judgement', from 'sentire' (to feel, to perceive). It entered English via Old French 'sentence' in the 13th century. The grammatical sense of a complete unit of language developed by the late 14th century. The legal sense of 'judicial verdict' is recorded from the same period.
How can I practise using sentence correctly in English?
Use LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to see sentence in authentic contexts, or try the Flash Cards tool to reinforce sentence and related grammar vocabulary. Reading widely — especially academic texts and quality journalism — is one of the most effective ways to develop an intuition for well-formed sentences.