NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Grammar Chapter 1 The Sentence

1. We use words when we Speak.or write. We usually use these words in group in correct order.

The cat sat on the mat.
A group of words which makes complete sense, is called a sentence.
Thus a sentence is a group of words that are kept in a particular order to make a complete sense.

2. Sentences are of four kinds:

Those which make statements or assertions; as:
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
This is called a Declarative or Assertive sentence.

Those which ask questions; as:
What is your name?
This is called an Interrogative sentence.

Those which express commands, requests or entreaties; as:
Be quiet.Have mercy on me.
This is called an Imperative sentence.

Those which express strong feelings, as:
How warm the day is!
What a shameful behaviour!
This is called an Exclamatory sentence.

3. Every sentence has two parts!

Subject and Predicate

When we make a sentence

We name some person or thing.

Say something about that person or thing.

In other words, we must have a subject to speak about and we must say or predicate something about that subject.

(a) So, the part which names the person or thing we are speaking about is called the Subject of the sentence.

(b) The part which tells something about the subject is called the Predicate of the sentence.

For example:
Subject      Predicate

Suresh       runs

Birds       fly

Girls        play

My brother     passed the examination

It          is very cold today

The dogs      bark at night.

4. The subject of a sentence usually comes first, but occasionally it is put after the predicate also; as:

Here comes the bus.

Sweet are the uses of adversity.

5. However, in imperative sentences the subject is left out; as:

Sit down—Here the subject you is understood.

Thank him—Here too the subject ‘you’ is understood.

6. A group of words, which makes sense, but not complete sense is called a Phrase. In the following sentences, the groups of words in italics are Phrases. These usually do not have Subject or Predicate.

Honesty pays in the long run.

The sun rises in the east.

The Prime Minister’s post is not a bed of roses.

Show me how to do it.

It was a sunset of great beauty.

Exercise 1

Separate the Subject and the Predicate in the following sentences:

1. The boy stood on the last bench.
2. The singing of the birds
3. A good boy passed the examination.
4. It is very hot.
5. The cow gives us milk.
6. The earth revolves round the sun.
7. Edison invented the phonograph.
8. Delhi is the capital of India.
9. We cannot make the ocean diy.
10. No man can serve two masters.

Answer :
Subject                predicate.

• 1. the boy           stood on the last bench.
• 2. The singing of the birds   makes me happy.
• 3. A good boy          passed the examination.
• 4. It              is very hot.
• 5. The cow           gives us milk.
• 6. The earth          revolves round the sun.
• 7. Edison           invented the phonograph.
• 8. Delhi            is the capital of India.
• 9. we             cannot make the ocean diy.
• 10. No man          can serve two masters.

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences by inserting a suitable subject

1. ………………… bark at night.
2. ………………… sets in the west.
3. ……………… gives us milk.
4. ……………..is cloudy today.
5. ………….. fly in the air.
6. ………………….sleep on the roof at night.
7. ………………..am in a hurry.
8. .…………… opens at 10 O’clock in the morning.
9. .………….. are playing football.
10. ………………….. greeted me with a sweet smile.

Answer :

1. Dogs
2. The sun
3. The cow
4. It
5. Birds
6. They
7. I
8. This shop
9. Boys
10. He