complete sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete sentence" is a correct and commonly used term in written English.
It refers to a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. You can use the phrase "complete sentence" when discussing grammar, writing, or language in general. For example, when teaching someone how to write essays, you might say, "Remember to always use complete sentences to express your ideas clearly." Another example could be when editing a piece of writing, you might say, "This sentence is not a complete sentence because it lacks a verb. Let's add one to make it complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No is a complete sentence.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a complete sentence, not the beginning of one.

The Times

Your title should also not be a complete sentence.

The Washington Post

It also makes the phrase "Army boots" a complete sentence.

The New York Times - Tech

"I don't think that was a complete sentence," she said.

The New Yorker

As my colleague Dr. Janet Taylor tells her patients, "No is a complete sentence".

The New York Times

It is five words long and deliciously forms a complete sentence.

The Guardian

She is nearly 10 and is yet to speak a complete sentence to me.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ninth graders can't say, let alone write, a complete sentence.

The New York Times

The parentheses enclose a complete sentence, so the period should go inside.

The New York Times

He stopped and stumbled some more, finally managing to put together a complete sentence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When teaching writing, emphasize that each main idea should be expressed as a "complete sentence" for clarity and coherence.

Common error

Ensure every sentence includes a subject and a verb, forming a "complete sentence". Fragments often lack one or both of these elements, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete sentence" functions as a noun phrase, referring to a grammatically correct and structurally sound unit of language. It is often used in the context of grammar instruction, writing, and linguistic analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complete sentence" is a fundamental concept in grammar and writing, denoting a grammatically sound unit containing a subject and a verb while expressing a complete thought. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its frequent use across various contexts, including news, scientific literature, and wikis. While it maintains a neutral register, its purpose is primarily instructional and evaluative. Mastery of the "complete sentence" is crucial for clear and effective communication, and understanding its nuances can significantly improve writing skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grammatically complete sentence

Adds an explicit reference to grammatical correctness.

syntactically complete sentence

Replaces "grammatically" with "syntactically", focusing on sentence structure.

full sentence

Uses the adjective "full" instead of "complete".

well-formed sentence

Emphasizes correctness and adherence to linguistic rules.

independent clause

Focuses on the grammatical element that often forms a complete sentence.

grammatical sentence

Emphasizes the proper use of grammar within the sentence.

coherent sentence

Highlights the clarity and understandability of the sentence.

intact sentence

Conveys a sense of wholeness and unimpaired structure.

unabbreviated sentence

Focuses on the absence of abbreviations, implying completeness.

correct sentence

Highlights the accuracy of the sentence in terms of grammar and syntax.

FAQs

How can I identify a "complete sentence"?

A "complete sentence" contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone and make sense.

What are the essential components of a "complete sentence"?

The basic elements of a "complete sentence" are a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a predicate (what the subject does or is). For example, in "The dog barks", 'dog' is the subject and 'barks' is the predicate.

What is the difference between a "complete sentence" and an independent clause?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Both contain a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete thought. However, a "complete sentence" is the broader term, while 'independent clause' is more specific to grammatical analysis.

Which is better, writing in short or long "complete sentence"?

The choice depends on the context and purpose. Short "complete sentence" can create emphasis and clarity, while longer ones can express more complex ideas. Vary your sentence length for better readability.