TYPES OF SENTENCES

TYPES OF SENTENCES

In writing and speaking, there are four basic types of sentences that we use for different purposes:

declarative sentences

interrogative sentences

imperative sentences

exclamatory sentences

These different kinds of sentences in English allow us to express ourselves clearly. Using a variety of sentences in your writing will add interest and help you get your ideas across effectively. To communicate clearly, it's important to know the function of each type of sentence so you can make the right choice, depending on your purpose.

Declarative Sentences

A declarative sentence is the most basic type of sentence. Its purpose is to relay information, and it is punctuated with a period. For example:

The boy walked home.

I love honey.

He wants to eat cookies, but he doesn't know how to make them.

As you can see, these sentences make statements, whether of fact or opinion. Declarative sentences can be simple, as in the first two examples, or compound, as in the final example. They can also be in any tense, as long as they do their basic job of presenting information. This makes them the most common sentence type.

Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences interrogate, or ask questions. These are direct questions, and they are punctuated with a question mark. For example:

Why does the sun shine?

Whose dog is that?

Will Sherri get to keep all her lottery winnings?

Many interrogative sentences start with question words like "how" or "why," but others are yes/no questions that begin with the verb instead of the noun. It is important to remember that interrogative sentences still require a noun and a verb to be complete.

Exclamatory Sentences

Exclamatory sentences are like declarative sentences in that they make a statement instead of asking a question, but their main purpose is to express strong emotion. They are easily recognized because they end in an exclamation point instead of a period:

I said I wanted tacos instead of pizza!

How well he sings!

Wow, he just won a gold medal!

Notice that each one of these examples contains both a subject and a verb, which is still a requirement for a complete sentence. Exclamatory sentences are often used in casual conversation and in written dialogue to show emotion, but they are not typically useful in academic or expository writing. In these more serious works, it's better to make your point with well-written declarative sentences instead.

Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences do not simply state a fact but rather tell someone to do something. These can be in the form of friendly advice, basic instructions or more forceful commands. For example:

Please shut the door to keep out the bugs.

Turn left at the bridge.

Stop bothering me!

Many imperative sentences end in periods, but some of the more forceful demands may end in an exclamation point to highlight the emotion. You can identify an imperative sentence because it appears to be missing a subject. The subject of the sentence may be omitted, but it's called "you understood" because the reader is aware that each sentence could be written as "you do this" or "you do that."

Using Different Sentence Types in Your Writing

Though declarative sentences are by far the most common sentence type, they can lead to dull writing if used exclusively. Take the following paragraph as an example:

I will show you how to make a snowflake. Paper snowflakes are easy to make and can even get addictive once you learn the techniques. The steps outlined below will help you get started.

All three of these sentences are declarative, so the piece begins to sound a little flat. By contrast, see what happens when a variety of sentence types are used instead:

Are you ready to learn how to make snowflakes? Paper snowflakes are easy to make, but be careful! They can get addictive once you learn the basic techniques. Follow the steps below to get started.

As you can see, the paragraph above used one of each of the sentence types, and the result is a more interesting piece. This is appropriate for writing with a casual, friendly tone, and in many works of creative writing. Be careful with more formal writing. In the case of expository writing, declarative sentences are the most appropriate choice.

Using the right type of sentence in your writing depends on your intention:

To relay information or to answer a question, use a declarative sentence.

To ask a direct question, choose an interrogative sentence.

To tell someone what to do, use an imperative sentence.

To show extra emotion use an exclamatory sentence

The 4 English Sentence Types

There are four types of English sentence, classified by their purpose:

declarative sentence (statement)

interrogative sentence (question)

imperative sentence (command)

exclamative sentence (exclamation)

form	function	example sentence (clause)	final punctuation
1	declarative	statement: It tells us something	John likes Mary.	.
2	interrogative	question: It asks us something	Does Mary like John?	?
3	imperative	command: It tells us to do something	Stop! Close the door.	! or .
4	exclamative	exclamation: It expresses surprise	What a funny story he told us!	!

(form = structure / function = job)

1. Declarative Sentence (statement)

Declarative sentences make a statement. They tell us something. They give us information, and they normally end with a full-stop/period.

The usual word order for the declarative sentence is:

subject + verb...

Declarative sentences can be positive or negative. Look at these examples:

positive	negative
I like coffee.	I do not like coffee.
We watched TV last night.	We did not watch TV last night.

Declarative sentences are the most common type of sentence.

2. Interrogative Sentence (question)

Interrogative sentences ask a question. They ask us something. They want information, and they always end with a question mark.

The usual word order for the interrogative sentence is:

(wh-word +) auxiliary + subject + verb...

Interrogative sentences can be positive or negative. Look at these examples:

positive	negative
Do you like coffee?	Don't you like coffee?
Why did you go?	Why didn't you go?

3. Imperative Sentence (command)

Imperative sentences give a command. They tell us to do something, and they end with a full-stop/period (.) or exclamation mark/point (!).

The usual word order for the imperative sentence is:

base verb...

Note that there is usually no subject—because the subject is understood, it is YOU.

Imperative sentences can be positive or negative. Look at these examples:

positive	negative
Stop!	Do not stop!
Give her coffee.	Don't give her coffee.

4. Exclamative Sentence (exclamation)

Exclamative sentences express strong emotion/surprise—an exclamation—and they always end with an exclamation mark/point (!).

The usual word order for the exclamative sentence is:

What (+ adjective) + noun + subject + verb

How (+ adjective/adverb) + subject + verb

Look at these examples:

What a liar he is!

What an exciting movie it was!

How he lied!

How exciting the movie was!

Read the following sentences and state their kind.

1. Please leave your footwear outside.

Declarative

Imperative

Interrogative

Exclamatory

2. Will you wait here?

Declarative

Imperative

Interrogative

Exclamatory

3. Where have you been all this while?

Declarative

Imperative

Interrogative

Exclamatory

4. We will not tolerate this.

Declarative

Imperative

Interrogative

Exclamatory

5. I am your friend.

Declarative

Imperative

Exclamatory

Interrogative

6. My sister lives in Mexico.

Declarative

Interrogative

Imperative

Exclamatory

7. What did you do then?

Interrogative

Declarative

Imperative

Exclamatory

8. Do be a bit more careful.

Declarative

Imperative

Interrogative

Exclamatory

9. Never speak to me like that again.

Declarative

Imperative

Interrogative

Exclamatory

10. Always remember what I told you.

Declarative

Imperative

Exclamatory

Interrogative

11. The ball rolled slowly into the goal.

Declarative

Interrogative

Exclamatory

Imperative

Answers

1. Please leave your footwear outside. (Imperative sentence)

2. Will you wait here? (Interrogative sentence)

3. Where have you been all this while? (Interrogative sentence)

4. We will not tolerate this. (Declarative sentence)

5. I am your friend. (Declarative sentence)

6. My sister lives in Mexico. (Declarative sentence)

7. What did you do then? (Interrogative sentence)

8. Do be a bit more careful. (Imperative sentence)

9. Never speak to me like that again. (Imperative sentence)

10. Always remember what I told you. (Imperative sentence)

11. The ball rolled slowly into the goal. (Declarative sentence)