
## What is a Sentence Counter?

<img width="100%" alt="Sentence counter" src="/sentence-counter/sentence-counter.webp">

**INK Sentence Counter Checker** can help identify the number of
**sentences** in your writing.

**Main Takeaways:**

- A **sentence** expresses a complete thought or idea through a
  statement, question, or exclamation.
- **Sentences** always begin with capital letters and end with a
  punctuation mark.
- A **sentence** must have a subject and a predicate.
- The four types of **sentence structure** are **simple**,
  **compound**, **complex**, **compound-complex sentences**.
- The functional types of **sentences** are **declarative**,
  **imperative**, **interrogative**, **and exclamatory sentences**.
- **INK Sentence Counter** can identify the number of
  sentences in your document.

**Sentences** are the basic building block of communication. In your
grammar class, you were told that a **sentence** should express a
complete thought.

While this is true, the meaning of the phrase "complete thought" may be
vague. For instance, some notices seem to be complete, but we don't
generally consider them as **sentences**.

**Example**:

- Exit, Danger, 50 mph speed limit

On the other hand, some **sentences** consist of more than one thought.
So, how exactly do you define what a **sentence** is?

This post will not only answer these question, [but
also](https://blog.inkforall.com/not-only-but-also) explore the types of
**sentences** and how to identify them. Finally, you'll find out how to
use the **INK Sentence Counter** tool.

## What is a Sentence?

A **sentence** is the largest independent unit of grammar. While it
begins with a capital letter, a sentence could end with a [question
mark](https://blog.inkforall.com/question-mark), exclamation mark, or a
period.

The word **sentence** came from the Latin word **Sentientem**, present
participle of **Sentire**. It means to be of opinion, feel, or perceive.

We can define a **sentence** as a word or group of words that expresses
a thought or idea through a statement, question, or exclamation.

**Examples**:

- She is a girl
- Is she a girl
- We won!

A **sentence** usually consists of at least a subject and a
[verb](https://blog.inkforall.com/verb-tenses). Although the subject of
the **sentence** may be hidden, the verb must be visible and present in
the sentence.

## Types of Sentence Structures and Examples

Structurally, there are four types of **sentences**. These include the
**simple**, **compound**, **complex**, **compound-complex sentence**.

### Simple Sentence

A **simple sentence** has one independent **clause** and **variable**.

**Example**:

- The cat is sleeping.

### Compound Sentence

A **compound sentence** has more than one **independent clause**. Also,
these clauses are usually joined by some specific **punctuation**,
**conjunction**, or both.

**Example**:

- The cat is sleeping, but the dog is eating the bone.

### Complex Sentence

Like the **compound sentence**, a **complex sentence** also has more
than one **clause**. However, one of the **clauses** must be independent,
while the other/others should be dependent.

**Examples**:

- The dog, which is eating the bone, is happy.

Note that some specific connectors are necessary for clauses of a
complex sentence.

### Compound-Complex Sentence

A **compound-complex sentence** combines the feature of a
**compound** and **complex sentence** in a single **sentence**. As such,
it contains at least two **independent clauses** and at least one
**dependent clause**.

**Example**:

- The dog, which is eating the bone, is happy, but the cat is still
  sleeping.

## Functional Types of Sentences and Examples

Functionally, there are four types of sentences. These are
**declarative**, **imperative**, **interrogative**, and **exclamatory
sentences**.

### Declarative Sentence

A **declarative sentence** is an assertive **sentence** that expresses an
opinion, makes a statement, or describes a thing. This type of
**sentence** usually ends with a **period**.

**Example**:

- Brutus is a smart dog.

### Imperative Sentence

In English, we use **imperative sentences** to make a request or to give
orders and directions. This type of sentence usually ends with a
**period** — or under specific circumstances, **exclamation**.

**Examples**:

- Please stand up.
- I need you to stand now!

### Interrogative Sentence

An **interrogative sentence** asks a question. Expectedly, sentences in
this category end with a question mark.

**Example**:

- Have you met her?

### Exclamatory Sentence

We use **exclamatory sentences** to convey an overflow of emotion,
whether it's happiness, wonder, anger, or sorrow. As a result, this type
of sentence ends with an **exclamation mark**.

**Example**:

- The pie is ruined!

## How to Identify a Sentence in the English Language

<img width="100%" alt="How to identify a sentence in the english language" src="/sentence-counter/how-to-identify-a-sentence-in-the-englihs-language.webp">

### Break Down Sentence Structure into Elements

At this point, you know that a **sentence** begins with a capital letter,
ends with **punctuation**, and contains at least one **independent
clause**.

In turn, that clause must contain a **subject**and a **predicate**. The
subject describes who or what the sentence is about while the predicate
describes what the subject does.

**Examples**:

- Cats sleep.

In the **sentence** above, the cat is the subject, while the word sleep
is the predicate. Also, note that the **sentence** expresses a complete
thought.

### Determine the Sentence's Purpose

You can identify a sentence by exploring its function. So, ask yourself
what a specific sentence is trying to achieve. Is it explaining
something, asking something, giving a command, or exclaiming something?

**Examples**:

- Cats sleep.
- Stop sleeping!

The first example is a **declarative sentence**. It explains what cats
do. The second sentence, on the other hand, is **imperative**— conveying
an order. Again, note that both sentences express a complete thought.

### Consider the Sentence's Construction

Aside from determining the sentence's purpose, you should also assess
the construction. With that, you'll know if the sentence is **simple**,
**compound**, **complex**, or **compound-complex**.

For this part, you'll want to identify the number and types of
**clauses** in a sentence.

Check for the **independent clauses** [such
as](https://blog.inkforall.com/comma-before-such-as) "cats sleep," as
well as dependent ones such as "when it rains outside." So when you see
a sentence that combines these **clauses**, you can quickly identify it
based on the structure.

- Cats sleep when it rains outside.

Now, try Identifying the sentence above based on its structure and
function.

## Using INK Sentence Counter Checker

<img width="100%" alt="Using ink sentence counter checker" src="/sentence-counter/using-ink-sentence-counter.webp">

Knowing how to identify a sentence on your own is essential. But, you
could also automate the process using the **INK Sentence Counter
Checker**.

Paste your writing into the text box and click the "Analyze" icon to
know the number of sentences in your document.

### Read More: [Is There A Comma Before And? An Easy Guide To Using And In A Sentence](https://blog.inkforall.com/comma-before-and)
