sentence
C1Neutral formal & informal
Definition
Meaning
A grammatically complete unit of words expressing a statement, question, command, or exclamation, usually containing a subject and predicate. Also, a punishment given by a court of law.
A larger structural idea (e.g., a 'life sentence'). Figuratively, a final opinion or judgment, or in mathematics/computer science, a string of symbols satisfying certain grammatical rules.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word operates primarily as a noun with two distinct meanings: 1) Linguistic/grammatical unit. 2) Judicial punishment. The verb form (to sentence someone) derives exclusively from the judicial meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in related terms (e.g., analyse/analyze in a sentence). 'Life sentence' is more common than 'life imprisonment' in US media, while both are used in UK contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'sentence' (judicial) carries strong connotations of finality and authority. No significant connotative divergence.
Frequency
Both core meanings are extremely frequent in both varieties. The linguistic term is slightly more frequent in general discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to sentence [SOMEONE] to [SOMETHING]to be sentenced to [SOMETHING]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pass sentence”
- “under sentence of death”
- “serve out a/one's sentence”
- “a sentence or two (a brief statement)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used, except in legal business contexts (e.g., 'The contract sentence was ambiguous').
Academic
Frequent in linguistics, law, literature, and philosophy. Central to discussions of syntax, rhetoric, and jurisprudence.
Everyday
Very common in both grammatical ('Write a complete sentence.') and judicial ('He got a long sentence.') contexts.
Technical
In law: the punishment decreed. In linguistics: a syntactic unit. In computing: a string in formal grammar.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The judge will sentence the defendant next Tuesday.
- He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years.
American English
- The judge sentenced him to 15 years in a federal prison.
- She could be sentenced to a hefty fine and community service.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form ('sententially' is highly technical and rare).
American English
- No standard adverbial form ('sententially' is highly technical and rare).
adjective
British English
- Sentence adverbs like 'fortunately' modify the whole clause.
- The sentence structure in Old English was quite different.
American English
- The sentence length varied throughout the essay.
- We studied sentence diagrams in English class.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is a simple sentence.
- The judge gave him a long sentence.
- Can you write a compound sentence using 'but'?
- After the guilty verdict, the sentencing will be next month.
- The prosecutor argued for the maximum sentence allowable under the law.
- Despite its length, the paragraph consisted of only one complex sentence.
- The court's sentence was widely perceived as unduly lenient, prompting public outcry.
- Her prose is characterised by labyrinthine sentences that subtly unravel their meaning.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A judge gives a SENTENCE to someone who showed no REPENTANCE.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A CONTAINER (A sentence contains an idea). JUSTICE IS A PHYSICAL BURDEN (to carry/ serve a sentence).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse 'sentence' (предложение) with 'offer' (предложение). Context is key. In Russian, the same word covers both 'grammatical sentence' and 'commercial offer'.
- The judicial 'sentence' is приговор, not предложение.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'phrase' interchangeably with 'sentence' (a phrase lacks a finite verb).
- Saying 'He was sentenced for 10 years' (INCORRECT) instead of 'He was sentenced to 10 years' (CORRECT).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a correct use of the word 'sentence'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A phrase is a group of words without a subject-verb combination (e.g., 'the big red dog'). A sentence is a complete grammatical unit with at least a subject and a finite verb, capable of standing alone (e.g., 'The big red barked.').
Yes, but only in the legal sense. It means to declare the punishment for a convicted person (e.g., 'The court sentenced him to community service').
They are closely related but distinct. 'Death sentence' refers to the specific punishment pronouncement by a judge. 'Death penalty' refers to the legal punishment itself as an institution or law.
A judicial punishment where the convicted person does not go to prison immediately, provided they do not commit another offence and meet other court conditions during a specified 'probation' period.
Collections
Part of a collection
Crime and Justice
B1 · 46 words · Vocabulary for law, crime and the justice system.
Law and Regulation
C1 · 46 words · Legal language and regulatory frameworks.