sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of words that expresses a statement, question, exclamation, or command, or to the punctuation that marks the end of a sentence. Example sentence: "I need to use more complex sentences in my essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before adjourning for sentencing, Judge Timothy Pontius said: "I emphasise very firmly that the fact I'm releasing you on bail should not serve as any sort of indication of what the sentence will be".

The Guardian

He was already on a life sentence for having killed his girlfriend, Myra Wright.

The Guardian

Anthony McIntyre, a former IRA life sentence prisoner and chief researcher on the Belfast project, defended the archive and blamed Boston College for failing to make clear to him and the interviewees that there was a legal treaty that allowed the British state to seize academic material from the United States.

The Guardian

But after five years of hard labour, staying in looks like a life sentence without remission.

The Guardian - Business

He was sent to prison, where he served a sentence of 24 days, an experience that traumatised him.

The Guardian - Arts

Australia has never before withdrawn an ambassador in response to the death sentence being carried out on a citizen.

The Guardian

The judge said Dedmon's federal sentence will run concurrent with his state sentence.

The Guardian

The plot can be boiled down to one sentence: "Unhappy woman has bad time in space but survives against the odds".

The Guardian - Film

The council had been asked to rule on the case of Ahmed Sahnouni, a Moroccan-born man naturalised in 2003, who was convicted and given a seven-year prison sentence in March 2013 for "association with criminals in relation to a terrorist plot".

The Guardian

The supreme court is heavily entwined in the Hill case because it was the court's own 2002 ruling, Atkins v Virginia, that banned the death sentence for "mentally retarded" prisoners.

The Guardian

" The judge told Wright he was required by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to determine whether life imprisonment, the only sentence for murder, should mean life or whether he should fix a minimum term.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary sentence length and structure to improve readability and maintain audience engagement. Use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to create a dynamic flow.

Common error

Ensure each sentence has a clear subject and predicate. Avoid joining independent clauses with just a comma; use a conjunction, semicolon, or create separate sentences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sentence" is as a noun, referring either to a grammatical construct or a judicial punishment. As Ludwig examples show, it functions both as a linguistic term and a legal term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "sentence" is a versatile word with distinct meanings depending on context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can refer to a grammatical unit or a legal judgment. Its usage is very common across diverse fields, particularly in news, business, and academic writing. To use "sentence" effectively, understand its dual nature and potential for ambiguity. Employ varied sentence structures to enhance writing, but avoid run-on sentences by properly connecting clauses. Ludwig examples illustrate the word's versatility, ensuring clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phrase

Focuses on a smaller unit of language, not necessarily a complete thought.

clause

Highlights a grammatical unit containing a subject and verb, which may or may not be a complete sentence.

expression

Refers to a way of conveying a thought or feeling, which can be verbal or non-verbal.

remark

Emphasizes a spoken comment or statement.

utterance

Highlights the act of speaking or expressing something.

judgment

Specifies the final decision or opinion reached after some consideration.

verdict

Refers specifically to the decision of a jury.

penal term

Indicates the length of imprisonment imposed on a convict.

prison term

Highlights a period of imprisonment.

punishment

Describes any consequence imposed for wrongdoing, not necessarily imprisonment.

FAQs

How can I use "sentence" in a sentence?

You can use "sentence" to refer to a grammatical unit of words or the punishment given by a court. For example, "The essay required well-structured sentences," or "The judge delivered a harsh sentence".

What's the difference between a "sentence" and a phrase?

A "sentence" is a complete grammatical unit with a subject and a verb, expressing a complete thought. A phrase, on the other hand, is a group of words that doesn't contain both a subject and a verb and doesn't express a complete thought, it is a smaller unit of speech.

Which is correct, "sentence" or "statement"?

While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "sentence" refers specifically to a grammatical structure, while "statement" refers to the content or message being conveyed. A statement can be expressed through one or more sentences.

What can I say instead of "sentence" when referring to a punishment?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "verdict", "judgment", "prison term", or "penal term".