Many VOA Learning English stories and programs use the words "sentence" and "statement."

许多美国之音英语学习故事和节目中会使用“sentence”和“statement”这两个词L5MV]H!&uE]Ne(。

But what exactly does each word mean?

但是他们各自到底是什么意思呢?

Are there differences between the two?

这两个单词有什么不同呢？

This week, our question comes from Armando. Here it is:

本周，我们的问题来自ArmandoHhbo_m|6!iEwzS4#j8w。这里是他的提问:

What's the difference between "sentence" and "statement" and how can I use them?

“sentence”和“statement”这两个单词有什么不同呢，我该如何使用它们？

Hello, Armando! I am glad you asked that question.

你好Armando！很高兴收到你的提问,-W^pgW+uL%_@=hVid!1。

The answer will help a lot of English learners.

这个问题的答案会帮助到很多英语学习者lw^+APdI39G;%s。

First, think of a sentence as a tree and the three kinds of sentences as tree branches.

首先，你可以把句子想成一棵大树，这棵大树上有3根树杈，也就是3种句子25fwQ1oz|FbfT。

One branch is a statement. Another is a question. Yet another is a command.

一个树杈是陈述句，另一个是疑问句，还有一个是祈使句g7eM]84HkLKt9HeA#fF.。

A sentence is a group of words that usually have a subject, verb and information about the subject.

句子是一组单词组成的，通常有主语、谓语和关于主语的信息c1[L|vXb6Prb#-4]。

Remember: A sentence can be a statement, question or command.

一定要记住：句子可以是陈述句，也可以是疑问句和祈使句LcJbFRTT9D(NCAZDqrzW。

A statement is a basic fact or opinion. It is one kind of sentence. It usually ends with a period or exclamation point.

陈述句是句子的一种，是在陈述基本的事实或者观点，通常以句号或者感叹号结尾L@U++E(;w&。

To make this clearer, here are examples of the three types of sentences.

为了讲得更清楚些，下面来举例展示三个类型的句子IvU44tXc&M~p3F@t。

The first one is a statement:

第一个是一个陈述句：

Armando studies English every day.

Armando每天都学习英语i6_#*NX!8LZDyo2%.6*。

Now, here is the same sentence as a question:

同样的句子变成疑问句就变成：

Does Armando study English every day?

Armando每天都学习英语吗？

And finally, here is the sentence as a command:

最后，是一个祈使句@1gu~Fxmo~0G&。

Study English every day.

每天都要学习英语qUP5BXPhh4。

But wait – where did the subject "Armando" go in the command?

但是，等等，祈使句中的主语“Armando”去哪里了呢？

We do not include subjects in commands.

祈使句是没有主语的j*FoV(8W5CCK)Y)。

They are understood without being said.

不加主语别人也能理解其中的含义(wB[XcG!Njw^AArT。

Now, let's turn to the part of the question about when to use "statement" or "sentence."

现在让我们回到我们的问题，什么时候该用“statement”，什么时候该用“sentence”呢？

Here is a way to keep it simple:

下面一个方法可以让你更清楚：

You can avoid the word "statement" unless you are speaking or writing about something formal, such as written or spoken information from a government official.

尽量不要使用statement这个词，除非你正在说或者写的内容很正式，比如来自政府官员的书面或者口头信息*,1W6W!Ierx+h。

English teachers sometimes use the word "statement," but thankfully you don't have to!

英语老师有时会用“statement”这个词，但好在你不需要这样做!

And that's Ask a Teacher.

以上就是今日名师答疑的全部内容@NFSqRf8lz。

I'm Alice Bryant.

我是艾莉丝·布莱恩特7[=yKjlIk;O|Ycb。