Difference Between Sentence and Utterance

Main Difference

The main difference between Sentence and Utterance is that a Sentence, either written or spoken, gives a complete and absolute meaning of an idea, whereas Utterance does not provide a full definition or thought.

Sentence vs. Utterance

A group of words that give complete meaning and make a sense is called a sentence. The words that do not make any sense are collectively called as utterance. A sentence can exist both in spoken and written form, whereas an utterance only exists in spoken form confined by breaths or gaps.

The formal and complete speech following the grammatical and syntactical rules, and conveying complete thought is called a sentence. On the other hand, the informal and incomplete speech not following the grammatical rules, and not conveying complete thought is called utterance.

The basic unit and configuration of semantics are called a sentence, whereas the tiniest unit of speech is called utterances. A sentence can be defined as the exemplary string of words aligned by grammatical rules of the language. Conversely, grammatical rules are not followed by utterances.

In a sentence, the specific sequence of grammar is followed, and the words are positioned understandably but utterance, on the other hand, utterances are short phrases, single words, incomplete sentences, abbreviations, and incomplete versions of whole sentences.

A sentence is neither a physical incident nor a tangible thing, while an utterance is a piece of language used by a person in a particular situation. The purpose of the group of words used in a sentence is to manifest any statement, exclamation, inquiry, question, request, or command.

Comparison Chart

What is a Sentence?

A sentence is presented as a collection of words combined to convey a meaning. The basic unit of linguistics that demonstrates the whole idea is called a sentence. It follows the grammatical and syntactical rules to make the statement comprehensible for a simple man.

A sentence is usually made up of a subject, a verb, and an object, but a subject and the main verb are compulsory to be in a sentence to convey full thought. Besides the fundamental subject and main verb, a sentence may include phrases or clauses.

Types

• Simple Sentence: The sentence that includes a subject and a verb to refer to absolute meaning is called a simple sentence. A simple sentence is also called as an independent or main clause. i.e., Alice seemed to be busy.
• Compound Sentence: The sentence having two independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunction is called a compound sentence. i.e., “I was writing my assignment,” is an independent clause. “My brother was playing a computer game,” is another independent clause. Both are joined by coordinating conjunction as, “I was writing my assignment, and my brother was playing a computer game.”
• Complex Sentence: The sentence which mainly comprises one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses is referred to as a complex sentence. i.e., “The teacher returned to the class,” is an independent clause. “After hearing the noise,” is a dependent clause. The complex sentence is structured as “The teacher returned to the class after hearing the noise.”

What is Utterance?

A part of speech or a piece of language offered between pauses and breathes is called utterance. A single word, clause, incomplete sentence, or a phrase that conveys somewhat meaningful but not completely meaningful thought is referred to utterance.

The utterance is spoken linguistics and is not permitted for written language. i.e., a person comes before the audience and says, “Good Evening ladies and gentlemen, I want to tell some facts about high suicide rates in this state……let me start with some figures….As you can acknowledge.” It is clear that “let me start with some figures,” are the words articulated between two pauses, stated as utterance.

In spoke language, utterances are found, and they are not separated by commas or full stops as utterances do not follow the grammatical or syntactical rules. Thus, it becomes difficult to distinguish the sentences and utterances in spoken language.

Examples

• Some two-word utterances are: “Look here,” “paper cup,” “my bottle,” etc.
• Incomplete sentence utterances are: “Ummm, do you know how to make ramen?”

Types

• Referential Utterance: Information supporting utterance is called Referential Utterance.
• Phatic Utterance: An utterance that includes small talk or abbreviations is called Phatic Utterance.
• Expressive Utterance: The utterance which articulates the feelings and emotions of the speaker is called Expressive Utterance.
• Interactional Utterance: A verbal communication between two persons giving special highlighting on a social link is called Interactional Utterance.
• Transactional Utterance: The utterance having a spoken argumentation to get something completed is called Transactional Utterance.

Key Differences

Conclusion

A sentence provides a whole sense or thought either in spoken or in written form, whereas an utterance gives imperfect meanings and ideas and can only be presented in spoken form.

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