Question

My daughter just came home with a test on which points were deducted because the teacher did not consider this a sentence: "Pound on that door to open it." I think that IS a complete sentence, but I can't put my reasoning into words. Can you?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI think that IS a complete sentence

So do I.

Anonymous I can't put my reasoning into words. Can you?

It is an imperative sentence.

Anonymous · Answer

"Pound on that door to open it." does not sound quite right. Apparently, imperative sentences need to be kept simple, just a verb and an object. That is, you can't tack on all kinds of additional clauses and phrases like you can with a declarative or interrogative sentence.

The following are okay:

Pound on that door. (Just a verb and an object.)

Pound on that door, and someone may open it. (You still have just a verb and object, the second clause is independent of the first, imperative clause.)

Pound on that door; someone might be home. (Again, just a verb and object; the second clause is independent of the first clause.)

Blue Jay · Answer

I see nothing wrong with it.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Anonymous, imperative sentences need to be kept simple, just a verb and an object.

Not at all.

Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.

Clive · Answer

It's fine as written.

Clive

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