Statement vs Sentence

What is the difference between A Statement?

A Sentence?

Proposition or Statement
A proposition (statement) is a sentence that is either true or false. Some of the statements are clearly true Example: Red is a color Some of the statements are clearly false Example: Mumbai is in China Some of the statements are controversial Example: God does not exist

Sentence vs. Statement

A sentence may be used to express more than one statement. Example "Since smoking is bad for your health, you should not do it." includes two statements: "Smoking is bad for your health." "You should not do it."

Important things to Remember (conti.)

Not all sentences are statements.
Example What is the time? (Question) Hi, Dad! (Greeting) Close the window! (Command) Please send me your current catalog. (Request) Lets go to Paris for our anniversary. (Proposal) Insert tab A into slot B. (Instruction) Oh, my goodness! (Exclamation)

Important things to Remember (conti.)

Opinions are not statements
"opinion" is a belief that we accept.
Example Our views about religion. the best form of government. what constitutes the virtuous life. the meaning of works of art, literature, and music can all be classified as "opinions."

such statements are not true or false, and there is no need to offer reasons in support of them.

Examples of Statement
"Bob bought a new car." "Suzanne has the measles." "An advanced form of life exists on the planet Mars."

Each of these sentences is a statement because it is either true or false.

Exercise on Identifying Statements

1. The batter hit the baseball 502 feet into the center field.

Ans: YES, This is a Statement. It is either true or false that the ball went 502 feet.

2. The teacher exclaimed, "Don't come into class late again!" Ans: This is NOT a Statement. It is a command and an exclamation.

3. Blue is my favorite color.

Ans: This is a Statement. It is NOT an opinion.

Comment: Be careful about what you say is just an opinion. Can it be true or false that the person's favorite color is blue? I think so. It may be that we have no other means of checking the truth of the statement than by person's own word, and, for all I know, the person could be lying about their favorite color. None of those considerations change the fact that the statement is either true or false.

4.Scientists have discovered the remains of a lost civilization on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.

Ans: YES This is a Statement.

Comment: It's a false statement (as far as I know).

5. Wow! Did you see that baseball sail out of the park?

Ans: This is NOT a Statement. It is an exclamation and a question.

6.The most important thing in life is family.

Ans: YES this is a Statement. It is controversial statement.

7. I now pronounce you man and wife.

Ans: This is NOT a Statement.

Comment: This is not a statement, but is a very special kind of sentence. It is like blessing, it is designed to help establish, and confirm a specific reality. Specific individuals are granted certain authority to confer specific titles, rights, and responsibilities on others.

8.The Chesnutt Library has more than 500,000 volumes.

Ans: YES this is a Statement. It is either true or false.

9. Sit down and be quiet!

Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Command.

10. Kill the referee! Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its an Exclamation and Command.

11. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury: Could any reasonable person really believe that a man of such outstanding character as my client could have committed the heinous crime for which he has been accused? Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Question .

12.John F. Kennedy was shot by a single gunman on November 22, 1963. Ans: YES this is a Statement. It may be controversial, but it is either true or false.

13. Take your umbrella with you today.

Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Command.

14.Have you seen Eddie Murphy's latest movie? Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Question.

15. The teacher said, "If you are late for class again, I will give you a 0 for your next test grade." Ans: YES this is a Statement. Its either true or false that the teacher made the statement.

16.Are you sure she is the one who did it?

Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Question.

17. Complete this questionnaire.

Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Question.

18. If you keep up this behavior, you will be punished. Ans: YES this is a Statement. It is either true or false.

19. You wouldn't dare break your word to us, would you? Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Question.

20. Holy God! Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Exclamation.

21. Complete this questionnaire. Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Question.

22.You will be punished if you do not sit down.

Ans: YES this is a Statement. Its either true or false.

23."The United States holds presidential elections every four years." Ans: YES this is a Statement. Its either true or false.

24. "More than forty people are enrolled in this class. Ans: YES this is a Statement. Its either true or false.

25. Can I get you something to drink? Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Question.

27. What do you say we stop at the next rest stop? Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its a Question.

28.I be good to those who are good, and to those who are not. For goodness increase goodness.

Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its an opinion

29.Close that window, solder! Its freezing in here!

Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its an exclamation and a request

30.You should not cheat. God knows everything what we do. Ans: This is NOT a Statement. Its an opinion

26.Ted Williams is the greatest hitter in baseball history.

Ans: YES this is a Statement. Its either true or false.