Sentences When we speak or write we use words. We generally use these words in groups; as, Little Jack Horner sat in a corner. A group of words like this, which makes complete sense, is called a Sentence.
This grammar section explains Online Education English Grammar in a clear and simple way. There are example sentences to show how the language is used. NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English will help you to write better answers in your Class 10 exams. Because the Solutions are solved by subject matter experts. https://ncertmcq.com/sentences-exercises-for-class-8/
Online Education Sentences Exercises for Class 8 CBSE With Answers Pdf
Sentences Exercises For Class 8 With Answers
Kinds of Sentences
Sentences are of four kinds:
- Those which make statements or assertions; as,
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. - Those which ask questions; as,
Where do you live? - Those which express commands, requests, or entreaties; as,
Be quiet.
Have mercy upon us. - Those which express strong feelings; as,
How cold the night is!
What a shame!
A sentence that makes a statement or assertion is called a Declarative or Assertive sentence.
A sentence that asks a question is called an Interrogative sentence.
A sentence that expresses a command or an entreaty is called an Imperative sentence.
A sentence that expresses strong feeling is called an Exclamatory sentence.
Assertive Sentence
These sentences merely assert an incident or a fact.
e.g. The sun is a big star. (Affirmative)
The Taj is a beautiful monument. (Affirmative)
He is not in Delhi. (Negative)
It does not glow at night. (Negative)
Sentences that affirm one or the other fact are called affirmative sentences. First two sentences listed above are affirmative ones.
Sentences that negate a fact are called negative sentences. The last two sentences listed above are negative sentences.
Interrogative Sentences :
These sentences simply ask questions.
Examples are:
- Where are you?
- When is your flight?
- Have you finished your work?
- Was your paper tough?
Note: Put a question mark (?) at the end of a questions.
Questions are of two types:
- Those begin with helping (auxiliary) verbs (be, is, are, am, was, were, has, have, had, shall, will, should, would, can, could, may, might, etc.) Examples:
Have you met her?
Was your examination easy? - Those begin with ‘Wh’ question words (why, where, when, how, whose, whom etc.) are followed by helping words.
Examples:
Who is this lady?
Why are you late?
Imperative Sentences
These sentences are used to order, advise, command or ask for some favour, Examples are:
- Come here. (Order)
- Please give me something to eat. (Request)
- Listen to her. (order/advice)
- Do not smoke here. (prohibition)
Note:
- Begin an imperative sentence with a verb.
- Do not use a subject. It is always You’ and is not mentioned.
- Imperative sentences end with a full stop.
Exclamatory Sentences
These sentences express sudden feelings and emotions of the speaker.
Examples are:
- Hush! the baby is asleep.
- Bravo! our school team won the finals. (Joy)
- Alas! I’ve lost my job. (Sorrow)
- How pretty the picture is! (Surprise)
- What a fool I am!
Simple, compound and complex sentences
Simple sentences contain one clause:
- The girl is learning how to drive.
Complex sentences contain more than one clause. - The girl who is learning how to drive is still twelve years old.
- She faced the whole trouble with courage and managed to solve the problem all by herself.
A Simple Sentence
A simple sentence is one which has only one subject and one predicate. [Or] A simple sentence is one which has only one finite verb.
Sentence 2 consists of two parts:
- The moon was bright.
- We could see our way;
These two parts are joined by the Co-ordinating conjunction and. Each part contains a subject and a predicate of its own. Each part is what we call a clause.
We further Notice that each clause makes good sense by itself, and hence could stand by itself as a separate sentence. Each clause is therefore independent of the other or of the same order or rank, and is a called a principal or main clause.
For example
- You can’t surprise a man with a dog.
A Complex Sentence
A complex sentence consists of one Main clause and more subordinate clauses.
Sentence 5 consists of the three clauses:
- The people said. (main clause)
- As the boxers advanced into the ring. (subordinate adverb clause)
- They would not allow them to fight. (subordinate noun clause)
Such a sentence is also called a complex sentence.
For example:
- Diplomacy is the art of saying “nice doggie” until you can find a rock. (Will Rogers, 1879 – 1935)
- When you’re on the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog. (Peter Steiner)
A Compound Sentence
A sentence, such as the second, which is made up of Principal or Main Clause, is called a compound sentence. Sentence 3 consists of three clauses of the same order or rank. In other words, sentence 3 consists of three principal or main clauses, viz:
- Night came on.
- Rain fell heavily.
- We all got very wet.
Such a sentence is also called a compound sentence.
A compound sentence is one made up of two or more principal or Main Clauses.
Transformation of Sentences
Fundamentals:
Transformation is changing the form of a sentence without changing its meaning. A brief direction about transforming is given below.
According to the meaning:
Affirmative to negative:
Rule 1: Only/alone/merely → Replaced by → None but (person)/nothing but (things)/not more than or not less than (number)
Example:
Aff: Only God can help us. – Neg: None but God can help us.
Aff: He has only a ball. – Neg: He has nothing but a ball.
Aff: He has only ten rupees. – Neg: He has not more than ten rupees.
Rule 2: Must → be Replaced by → Cannot but/Cannot help + (v+ing).
Example:
Aff: We must obey our parents. – Neg: We cannot but obey our parents/We cannot help obeying our parents.
Rule 3: Both – and → Replaced by → not only – but also
Example:
Aff: Both Deepak and Deepika were excited. – Neg: Not only Deepak but also Deepika were excited.
Rule 4: and (if join two words) → Replaced by → Not only but also.
Example:
aff: He was obedient and gentle. – Neg: He was not only obedient but also gentle.
Rule 5: Everyone/everybody/every person/ (every + common noun)/all → Replaced by → There is no + attached word + but
Example:
Aff: Every mother loves her child. – Neg: There is no mother but loves her child.
Rule 6: As soon as → Replaced by → No sooner had
Example:
Aff: As soon as the thief saw the police, he ran away. – Neg: No sooner had the thief seen the police than he ran away.
Rule 7: Absolute Superlative degree → Replaced by → No other + attached word + so + positive form + as + subject
Example:
Aff: Dhaka is the biggest city in Bangladesh. – Neg: No other city is as big as Dhaka in Bangladesh.
Rule 8: Sometimes affirmative sentences are changed into negative by using opposite words. Before the word, off course ‘not’ is used
Example:
Aff: I shall remember you. – Neg: I shall not forget you.
Rule 9: Always → Replaced by → Never
Example:
Aff: Raman always attends the class. – Neg: Raman never misses the class.
Rule 10: Too – to → Replaced by → so – that + cannot/could not (in past)
Example:
Aff: He is too weak to walk. – Neg: He is so weak that he cannot walk.
Rule 11: As – as → Replaced by → Not less – than
Example:
Aff: Simi was as wise as Rimi. – Neg: Simi was not less wise than Rimi.
Rule 12: Universal truths are changed by making them negative interrogative
Example:
Aff: The sun sets in the west. – Neg: Doesn’t the sun set in the west?
Rule 13: Sometimes → Replaced by → Not + always
Example:
Aff: Raman sometimes visits me. – Neg: Raman doesn’t always visit me.
Rule 14: Many → Replaced by → Not a few
Example:
Aff: I have many friends. – Neg: I do not have few friends.
Rule 15: A few → Replaced by → not many
Example:
Aff: Bangladesh has a few scholars. – Neg: Bangladesh doesn’t have many scholars.
Rule 16: Much → Replaced by → A little
Example:
Aff: He has much money. – Neg: He has a little money.
Rule 17: A little Replaced by → not much
Example:
Aff: Danish has a little money. – Neg: Danish doesn’t have much money.
Assertive to Interrogative:
Rule 1: If the sentence is in the affirmative you have to change it into negative interrogative. If it is in negative then you have to change it into bare interrogative.
Example:
Ass: He was very gentle.
Int: Wasn’t he very gentle?
Aff: He is not a good person.
Int: Is he a good person?
Rule 2: No auxiliary verb in sentence → Change it by using → Do/does/did or Don’t/doesn’t/ didn’t.
Example:
Ass: He plays football.
Int: Does he play football?
Ass: They did not play football yesterday.
Int: Did they play football yesterday?
Rule 3: Never → Replaced by → Ever
Example:
Ass: I never drink tea.
Int: Do I ever drink tea?
Rule 4: Everybody/everyone/AII → Replaced by → Who + Don’t/ Doesn’t/ Didn’t
Example:
Ass: Everybody wishes to be happy.
Int: Who doesn’t wish to be happy?
Rule 5: Every + noun → Replaced by → Is there any + Noun+ Who don’t/doesn’t/didn’t
Example:
Ass: Every man wishes to be happy.
Int: Is there any man who doesn’t wish to be happy?
Rule 6: Nobody/ no one / None → Replaced by → Who
Example:
Ass: Nobody could measure my love for you.
Int: Who could ever measure my love for you?
Rule 7: There is no → Replaced by → Is there any/ Who(person)/ What( thing)
Example:
Ass: There is no use of this law.
Int: What is the use of this law?
Ass: There is no man happier than Rohit.
Int: Who is happier than Rohit?
Rule 8: It is no → Replaced by Is there any/Why
Example:
Ass: It is no use of taking unfair means in the exam.
Int: Why take unfair means in the exam? Or Is there any use of this law?
Rule 9: It doesn’t matter → Replaced by → What though/ Does it matter
Example:
Ass: It does not matter if you fail in the exam.
Int: What though if you fail in the exam?
Exclamatory to Assertive sentences
Rule 1: Subject and Verb of the exclamatory sentence are to be used as the subject and verb of the assertive sentence at the outset of the sentence
How/what → Replaced by → Very (before adjective)/Great (before noun)
Example:
How fortunate you are!
Ass: You are very fortunate.
Example:
What a fool you are!
Ass: You are a great fool.
Rule 2: Sometimes the subject and verb may be eclipsed Example: What a beautiful scenery!
Ass: It is a very beautiful scenery.
Example:
What a pity!
Ass: It is a great pity.
Rule 3: Hurrah/Bravo → Replaced by → I/we rejoice that/ It is a matter of joy that
Example:
Hurrah! We have won the game.
Ass: It is a matter of joy that we have won the game.
Rule 4: Alas → Replaced by → I/we Mourn that/ It is a matter of sorrow or grief that
Example:
Alas! He has failed.
Ass: We mourn that he has failed.
Rule 5: Had/Were/If/Would that (at the outset) → Replaced by I wish + subject again + were/ had + rest part.
Example:
Had I the wings of a bird!
Ass: I wish I had the wings of a bird.
Example:
Were I a bird!
Ass: I wish I were a bird.
Example:
If I were young again!
Ass: I wish I were young again.
Example:
Would that I could be a child!
Ass: I wish I could be a child.
Imperative to Assertive
Rule 1: Add subject + should in doing assertive
Example:
Do the work.
Ass: You should do the work.
Rule 2: Please/kindly – Replaced by → you are requested to
Example:
Please, help me.
Ass: You are requested to help me.
Rule 3: Do not → Replaced by → You should not
Example:
Do not run in the sun.
Ass: You should not run in the sun.
Rule 4: Never → Replaced by → You should never
Example:
Never tell a lie.
Ass: You should never tell a lie.
Rule 5: Let us → Replaced by → We should
Example:
Let us go out for a walk.
Ass: We should go out for a walk.
Rule 6: Let + noun/pronoun → Replaced by → Subject + might
Example:
Let him play football.
Ass: He might play football.
Change of degree
Rule 1: If the sentence has superlative degree then:-
For comparative, use –
subject + verb + adjective/adverb (comp, form) + than any other + rest part
For positive, use –
No other + rest part after supr. degree + verb + so/as + positive form of adj/adv + as + sub.
Example:
Superlative: Sumit is the tallest boy in the class.
Comparative: Sumit is taller than any other boy in the class.
Positive: No other boy in the class is as tall as Sumit.
Rule 2: In superlative degree ‘One of the’ is transformed in this way:
Sub + Verb + Superlative form + rest part of the sentence.
Comparative: Sub + verb +comp. form + than most other + Rest part.
Positive: Very few+ rest part after supr. Degree + verb + so/as + positive form of adj/adv + as + sub.
Example:
Superlative: Nazrul was one of the greatest poets in Bangladesh.
Comparative: Nazrul was greater than most other poets in Bangladesh.
Positive: Very few poets in Bangladesh were so great as Nazrul.
Note: Superlative: Of all/ of any Comparative: Than all other/than any other.
Positive: It does not exist.
Example:
Superlative: Mr. Khan is the oldest of all men in the village.
Comparative: Mr. Khan is older than all other men in the village.
Positive: No other man is as old as Mr. Khan.
Rule 3: Simple comparative is transformed into positive by using (not so + adj/adv+as)/ (so+adj/adv+as) if negative. Second noun or pronoun is used first.
Example:
1. Comparative: Rina is wiser than Mina.
Positive: Mina is not so wise as Rina.
2. Comparative: Mina is not wiser than Rina.
Positive: Rina is as wise as Mina.
Rule 4: No/not less – than is transformed into positive by using as + adj’/adv + as
Example:
Comparative: Karim is not less meritorious than Suman.
Positive: Karim is as meritorious as Suman.
Types Of Sentences Exercises Solved Examples for Class 8 CBSE
Question 1.
Read the following sentences and state whether they are simple, complex or compound.
- A simple sentence has just one clause.
- A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
- A compound sentence has two or more clauses of equal rank.
(i) The girl looked at her brother and smiled. (Simple / Complex / Compound)
(ii) Janet went to the library to borrow some books. (Simple / Complex / Compound)
(iii) The water was so cold that we could not swim in it. (Simple / Complex / Compound)
(iv) The little girl started crying when she couldn’t find her toy. (Simple / Complex/ Compound)
(v) I live in a large city. (Simple / Complex / Compound)
(vi) As soon as the bell rang, the children rushed out. (Simple / Complex / Compound)
(vii) We saw a film which was based on the life of Nelson Mandela. (Simple / Complex / Compound)
(viii) His crude remarks offended me. (Simple / Complex / Compound)
(ix) Jane and Alice had their dinner and went for a walk. (Simple / Complex / Compound)
(x) The boys and the girls were shouting loudly. (Simple 7 Complex / Compound)
Answer:
(i) Compound
(ii) Simple
(iii) Complex
(iv) Complex
(v) Simple
(vi) Complex
(vii) Complex
(viii) Simple
(ix) Compound
(x) Simple
Question 2.
Complete the sentences using a suitable subject.
(i) ____________ rises in the East.
(ii) ____________ is good for health.
(iii) ____________ is money.
(iv) ____________ is wealth.
(y) ____________ is one.
(vi) ____________ is a hot day.
(vii) ____________ is a big city.
(viii) ____________ is the Oapital of Pakistan.
(ix) ____________ never fit well.
(x) ____________ is the best physician.
Answer:
(i) The Sun
(ii) Milk
(v) God
(vi) Today
(ix) Borrowed garments
(x) Nature
(iii) Time
(vii) Kolkata
(iv) Health
(viii) Islamabad
Types Of Sentences Exercises Practice Examples for Class 8 CBSE
Question 1.
Transform the following sentences as directed.
1. When he was presented with the trophy, he started crying. (No sooner …. Than)
_______________________________________
2. As soon as the sun rose, they left for the journey. (No sooner Than)
_______________________________________
3. Radha and Sita are intelligent. (Not only- but also)
_______________________________________
4. He ate an apple and drank a glass of milk. (Not Only- But also)
_______________________________________
5. He grew silent and seemed to be pondering on the situation, (not only- but also)
_______________________________________
Question 2.
Do as directed.
1. Hit the rock hard or you won’t be able to break it. (Change into affirmative sentence)
_______________________________________
2. Arthur is the most famous king. (Change into negative)
_______________________________________
3. My brother is greater than me. (Change into negative)
_______________________________________
4. Nobody was present for the meeting. (Change into affirmative)
_______________________________________
5. The news is too good to be true. (Remove too)
_______________________________________
6. I am as strong as he. (Change into comparative)
_______________________________________
7. He can do this work. (Change into interrogative)
_______________________________________
8. How beautiful is the night! (Change into assertive)
_______________________________________
9. Mumbai is one of the richest cities in India. (Change into positive)
_______________________________________
10. This coffee is too cold for me. (Remove too)
_______________________________________
11. How fast she runs! (Change into assertive)
_______________________________________
12. Man is mortal. (Change into negative)
_______________________________________