Definition of Sentence
Quick Meaning of Sentence
A group of words that forms a complete statement with a subject and verb; or the punishment a judge gives to someone found guilty of a crime.
Detailed Definition of Sentence
A set of words that expresses a complete thought, starting with a capital letter and ending with punctuation; or a punishment imposed by a court.
How to Pronounce Sentence
Stress pattern: Oo (2-syllable word).
Tip: SEN-tens with stress on first syllable. The second syllable is schwa /ə/. The final "ce" is pronounced /s/, not /z/.
Watch out: Sometimes pronounced SEN-dance or sen-TENTS; correct is SEN-tens with /s/ at the end.
Origin and Etymology of Sentence
From Latin "sententia" meaning "feeling, opinion, judgment", from "sentire" (to feel).
How to Use Sentence in a Sentence
Each example shows “sentence” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“This is a simple sentence with a subject and verb.”
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“The judge gave him a five-year sentence for the crime.”
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“Complex sentences contain at least one independent and one dependent clause.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Sentence
Common Synonyms for Sentence
Smart Synonyms for Sentence — When to Use Each
- clause
- for the grammatical structure in formal linguistics
- statement
- for a declarative grammatical unit
- punishment
- for legal penalties imposed by courts
Common Collocations with Sentence
These phrases pair with “sentence” in everyday English:
- simple sentence
- complex sentence
- death sentence
- prison sentence
- complete sentence
Common Mistakes When Using Sentence
Even fluent speakers slip up with “sentence”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: Write three sentence about your family.
- ✓ Correct: Write three sentences about your family.
- Why: Plural "three" requires plural noun "sentences", not "sentence".
- ✗ Wrong: The sentence writes an complete idea.
- ✓ Correct: The sentence expresses a complete idea.
- Why: Use "expresses" or "states", not "writes"; sentences express ideas, they do not write.
- ✗ Wrong: He was sentenced to prison for five years sentence.
- ✓ Correct: He was sentenced to prison for five years.
- Why: Do not repeat "sentence"; "sentenced to + duration" is sufficient.
Words Confused With Sentence
- Sentence vs Phrase: A phrase is a group of words without a complete subject-verb relationship; a sentence has both subject and verb. Compare →
Other Forms of Sentence
Frequently Asked Questions About Sentence
What is the meaning of "Sentence"?
A group of words that forms a complete statement with a subject and verb; or the punishment a judge gives to someone found guilty of a crime.
How do you pronounce "Sentence"?
The IPA is /ˈsentəns/. SEN-tens with stress on first syllable. The second syllable is schwa /ə/. The final "ce" is pronounced /s/, not /z/.
What part of speech is "Sentence"?
"Sentence" is a noun at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Sentence"?
Common synonyms include phrase, statement, clause.
How do you use "Sentence" in a sentence?
For example: "This is a simple sentence with a subject and verb."