Sentence vs Statement: Meaning And Differences

Are you confused about the difference between a sentence and a statement? You’re not alone. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but there are some key differences between the two. Let’s break it down.

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It contains a subject and a predicate, and it can stand alone as a complete idea. A sentence can be a statement, but it can also be a question, a command, or an exclamation. In short, a sentence is a grammatically correct string of words that conveys meaning.

A statement, on the other hand, is a specific type of sentence. It is a declarative sentence that makes a claim or expresses an opinion. Statements are used to convey information, persuade others, or express a point of view. They can be true or false, but they always make a statement about something.

Now that we have a better understanding of what a sentence and a statement are, let’s dive deeper into the nuances of each.

Define Sentence

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought or idea. It typically contains a subject and a predicate, which includes a verb. A sentence can stand alone as a complete thought or be part of a larger paragraph. Sentences can be simple, compound, or complex depending on the structure and number of clauses they contain.

Define Statement

A statement is a specific type of sentence that makes a declaration or expresses a fact, opinion, or belief. It is a declarative sentence that usually ends with a period. Statements can be true or false, and they can be used to convey information, persuade, or argue a point. They are often used in formal writing and speeches, as well as everyday conversation.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right words in a sentence can make all the difference in the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. Two commonly confused words are “sentence” and “statement.” Here’s how to use them correctly:

How To Use “Sentence” In A Sentence

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It typically contains a subject and a verb, and it can stand alone as a statement, question, command, or exclamation. Here are some examples:

• “She ate a sandwich for lunch.” (statement)
• “Did you finish your homework?” (question)
• “Clean your room!” (command)
• “What a beautiful day!” (exclamation)

Notice that each of these examples contains a subject (she, you, your, and what) and a verb (ate, finish, clean, and is). This is what makes them complete sentences.

How To Use “Statement” In A Sentence

A statement is a sentence that makes a declaration, expresses an opinion, or provides information. It can be true or false, and it can be positive or negative. Here are some examples:

• “The sky is blue.” (true and positive statement)
• “I don’t like broccoli.” (true and negative statement)
• “The moon is made of cheese.” (false and positive statement)
• “I’m not feeling well.” (false and negative statement)

Statements can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in persuasive writing, academic essays, or everyday conversation. It’s important to use them accurately to convey your intended meaning.

More Examples Of Sentence & Statement Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between a sentence and a statement, it’s important to see how they are used in context. Here are some examples of how both sentence and statement can be used in a variety of sentences:

Examples Of Using Sentence In A Sentence

• She wrote a beautiful sentence that captured the essence of the story.
• The judge handed down a sentence of 10 years in prison.
• Can you please use the word “sentence” in a sentence?
• His writing is filled with long, complex sentences.
• The sentence structure in this paragraph needs improvement.
• She said only one sentence, but it spoke volumes.
• This essay requires at least five sentences to meet the minimum word count.
• The sentence was so poorly constructed that it was difficult to understand.
• He was given a life sentence for his crimes.
• The sentence was punctuated perfectly, making it easy to read and understand.

Examples Of Using Statement In A Sentence

• Her statement about the issue was clear and concise.
• The company issued a statement apologizing for the mistake.
• He made a statement to the press after the game.
• The witness gave a statement to the police about what she saw.
• The statement he made was offensive and hurtful.
• She wrote a statement of purpose for her graduate school application.
• The statement in the advertisement was misleading and untrue.
• He issued a statement denying any involvement in the scandal.
• The statement from the CEO reassured investors that the company was stable.
• The statement was taken out of context and misunderstood by the public.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to writing, the difference between a sentence and a statement may seem small, but it is important to use each correctly. Here are some common mistakes people make when using sentence and statement interchangeably:

1. Using “Sentence” And “Statement” Interchangeably

While these two terms may seem interchangeable, they actually have different meanings. A sentence is a group of words that express a complete thought, while a statement is a declaration or assertion. Using these terms interchangeably can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

2. Using Incomplete Sentences As Statements

Statements should be complete thoughts, but sometimes people use incomplete sentences as statements. For example, saying “Going to the store” is not a complete sentence, but it can be used as a statement. This can lead to confusion and make your writing seem unclear.

3. Using Statements As Questions

Statements are not questions, but sometimes people use them as such. For example, saying “You’re going to the store?” as a statement instead of a question can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:

Tips For Using Sentences And Statements Correctly

• Remember that a sentence is a complete thought, while a statement is a declaration or assertion.
• Make sure your statements are complete thoughts and not just fragments.
• Use statements as declarations or assertions, not as questions.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between a sentence and a statement, context is key. The choice between the two depends heavily on the situation or context in which they are used.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between sentence and statement might change:

Context	Example	Choice between Sentence and Statement
Academic Writing	A research paper on the effects of climate change	Sentence
Business Communication	An email to a client regarding a new product launch	Statement
Informal Conversation	A chat with friends about weekend plans	Statement
Legal Writing	A contract agreement between two parties	Sentence

In academic writing, a sentence is often preferred as it allows for a more formal and structured approach to presenting information. In contrast, in business communication or informal conversation, a statement is often preferred as it is more direct and concise.

Similarly, in legal writing, a sentence is often preferred as it can provide a more detailed and specific explanation of the terms and conditions of a contract agreement.

It is important to consider the context in which you are communicating in order to choose the appropriate form of expression. By doing so, you can ensure that your message is conveyed effectively and efficiently.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using sentences and statements are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. In these cases, it’s important to understand the nuances of the English language to ensure that your writing is clear and effective.

1. Imperative Sentences

An imperative sentence is a type of sentence that issues a command or request. Unlike declarative statements, which make a statement of fact, imperative sentences are used to give orders or directions.

While imperative sentences are technically not statements, they are still considered complete sentences in their own right. They do not require a subject, and the subject is often implied rather than stated outright.

For example:

• Close the door.
• Take out the trash.
• Be quiet.

In each of these examples, the subject is implied but not stated. The imperative sentence is a complete sentence on its own, even though it does not follow the standard rules for declarative statements.

2. Questions

Questions are another exception to the rules for using sentences and statements. While questions are technically not statements, they are still considered to be complete sentences in their own right.

Questions are used to solicit information or to express uncertainty. They are formed by inverting the subject and verb, or by adding a question word such as “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” or “how.”

For example:

• What time is it?
• Where are you going?
• How do you spell that?

In each of these examples, the question is a complete sentence on its own, even though it does not follow the standard rules for declarative statements.

3. Fragments

A fragment is a type of incomplete sentence that is missing either a subject or a verb. While fragments are technically not complete sentences, they can still be used effectively in certain contexts.

Fragments are often used in creative writing or in informal contexts, where the rules of grammar are more flexible. They can be used to create a sense of urgency, to convey a particular tone or mood, or to emphasize a particular point.

For example:

• Never again.
• Too much.
• Without a doubt.

In each of these examples, the fragment is used to convey a particular emotion or feeling. While they are not technically complete sentences, they are still effective in their own right.

Practice Exercises

Improving one’s understanding and use of sentences and statements requires practice. Here are some exercises that can help:

Exercise 1: Identifying Sentences And Statements

Read the following phrases and determine whether they are sentences or statements. If they are sentences, identify the subject and predicate. If they are statements, identify whether they are true or false.

Phrase	Type	Subject	Predicate	True or False?
The cat sat on the mat.	Sentence	The cat	sat on the mat	True
Elephants can fly.	Statement	N/A	N/A	False
Running is good exercise.	Sentence	Running	is good exercise	True
John is taller than Mary.	Statement	N/A	N/A	True

Exercise 2: Writing Sentences And Statements

Write a sentence or statement that fits each of the following descriptions:

• A sentence with a compound subject and predicate.
• A statement that is true, but not necessarily interesting.
• A sentence that uses an appositive phrase.
• A statement that is false, but could be true in certain circumstances.

Answers:

• The dog and the cat chased each other around the yard.
• The sky is blue.
• My friend, the doctor, is coming over for dinner.
• It is always cold in the desert.

It is important to note that there may be multiple correct answers for each description.

Exercise 3: Identifying Sentence Types

Identify the type of sentence for each of the following:

1. The concert was amazing, but the traffic was terrible.
2. What time is it?
3. She studied hard for the test, so she was confident she would do well.
4. Stop talking during the movie!

Answers:

• Compound sentence
• Interrogative sentence
• Complex sentence
• Imperative sentence

By practicing exercises like these, readers can improve their understanding and use of sentences and statements in their writing.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between sentences and statements, it’s clear that understanding the nuances of language use is essential for effective communication. Here are the key takeaways:

Sentences

• A sentence is a grammatically complete idea that includes a subject and verb.
• Sentences can be simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
• Sentences can be categorized by their function as declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.

Statements

• A statement is a type of sentence that makes a claim or expresses an opinion.
• Statements can be true or false, and they can be backed up with evidence or not.
• Statements can be persuasive or informative, and they can be used in a variety of contexts, from academic writing to advertising.

By understanding the differences between sentences and statements, writers can craft more effective and impactful messages. However, grammar and language use are complex topics, and there is always more to learn. Whether you’re a professional writer or just someone who wants to improve their communication skills, continuing to study grammar and language use will help you achieve your goals.