Question

What is meant by kernel sentence?

• A. The basic sentence of a language
• B. The passive sentence
• C. Interrogative sentence
• D. Negative sentence

Answer 1

Answer:

A. The basic sentence of a language

A kernel sentence is a simple, active, declarative, affirmative sentence that serves as the foundation for generating more complex sentence structures through transformation.

Characteristics of a kernel sentence:

• It is positive (not negative)

• It is active voice (not passive)

• It is affirmative declarative (not interrogative)

• It is simple, not compound or complex

Example:

• "The boy kicks the ball." → This is a kernel sentence.

  • Passive: The ball is kicked by the boy.

  • Negative: The boy does not kick the ball.

  • Interrogative: Does the boy kick the ball?

These transformed versions are not kernel sentences.