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)
