What is a Statement?
In propositional logic, a statement (also called a proposition) is a declarative sentence that has a
definite truth value**—that is, it is either true or false, but not both at the same time**.
Statements are commonly represented by propositional variables such as P, Q, R, and so on. These
symbols are used to stand for complete declarative sentences whose truth values can be evaluated.
A key characteristic of a statement is verifiability. It must assert something about reality or mathematics
in such a way that we can determine whether it is true or false.
Why the Following are Statements
1. P: “2 is an even number.”
This is a statement because:
1. It is declarative in form.
The sentence asserts a claim about the number 2.
2. It expresses a complete thought.
The meaning is clear and unambiguous.
3. It has a definite truth value.
In mathematics, an even number is defined as an integer divisible by 2 without remainder. Since 2
satisfies this definition, the sentence is true.
Because the sentence can be evaluated objectively as true or false (in this case, true), it qualifies as a
statement.
2. Q: “7 is an even number.”
This is also a statement because:
1. It is declarative.
It makes a direct assertion about the number 7.
2. It is objectively verifiable.
Using the mathematical definition of even numbers, we test whether 7 is divisible by 2.
3. It has a definite truth value.
Since 7 is not divisible by 2 without remainder, the sentence is false.
Importantly, a statement does not need to be true to qualify as a statement. It only needs to have a
definite truth value. Since this sentence is clearly false, but determinably so, it is still a statement.
3. R: “A is a vowel.”
This sentence is a statement because:
1. It is declarative.
It asserts a fact about the English alphabet.
2. It has an objective basis.
In standard English grammar, vowels are defined as the letters A, E, I, O, and U.
3. It has a definite truth value.
Since “A” belongs to the set of vowels, the sentence is true.
Even though some of these statements are false, they are still considered statements because they
possess a definite truth value. In logic, truth or falsity does not affect whether something is a statement—what
matters is that it can be evaluated as either true or false.
Why the Following are NOT Statements
1. P: “My cat is beautiful.”
This is not a statement in the logical sense because:
o It expresses a subjective opinion.
o It does not have an objectively verifiable truth value.
The concept of “beautiful” varies from person to person, so the sentence cannot be definitively
classified as true or false.
2. Q: “What time is it?”
This is not a statement because:
o It is an interrogative sentence (a question).
o It does not assert anything.
o It does not have a truth value.
Questions are neither true nor false.
3. R: “Pick the pieces of trash.”
This is not a statement because:
o It is an imperative sentence (a command).
o It gives an instruction rather than making an assertion.
o It cannot be evaluated as true or false.
In logic, only declarative sentences with definite truth values qualify as statements. Questions,
commands, requests, and exclamations do not meet this requirement.