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4 Types of Sentences
4 Types of Sentences
declarative sentences
interrogative sentences
imperative sentences
exclamatory sentences
Using a variety of sentences in your writing will add interest and help you get your ideas
across. 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:
At its core, the declarative sentence is very basic. There is a noun and a verb in the sentence.
The sentence can have other elements, such as adjectives, adverbs and other words. But the
simplest form is just a noun and verb. The verb in a declarative sentence can be in any tense
form (present, future, past, etc.).
Subject + Predicate
Declarative sentences always have a subject and a predicate. The subject can be
simple with a noun phrase or it can be a compound subject. Compound subjects are
made of more than one simple subject combined with a conjunction such as and, or,
and but, However, In fact, Nonetheless, Besides, Instead, Moreover, Therefore, On the other
hand, Nevertheless, etc.
Coat
Ride
Foolish
wise
Interrogative Sentences
Interrogative sentences interrogate, or ask questions. These are direct questions, and they are
punctuated with a question mark. For example:
In order to change an assertive sentence in the simple present tense into an interrogative
sentence, we use do or does as the first word followed by the subject, verb and the object.
Note that we use do with I, you and plural subjects. Does is used with singular subjects.
Form: Do/does + subject + present tense form of the verb.
Exercise are given below:
Note that if the interrogative sentence is in the negative, we begin it with do not or does not.
When the affirmative sentence contains the primary auxiliaries is, am, are, has or have, the
interrogative sentence will begin with these words
An interrogative sentence has the following structure.
Is/am/are/was/were + subject + -ing form of the verb.
When the affirmative sentence contains the auxiliaries can, may, will, shall etc, the
interrogative sentence will begin with these words :
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:
Rule Number One: If the noun in your sentence is plural, the correct choice is what,
not how.
The emotion portrayed in the above examples is one of astonishment. You’ll quickly
see that any emotion can be expressed with exclamations.
Rule Number Two: When punctuating an exclamatory sentence, the exclamation mark
should be at the sentence end, not in the middle of the sentence.
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:
Writing an imperative sentence is a bit different than other types of sentences, mainly
because of the subject. Imperative sentences generally begin with a verb, and may
seem to be missing a subject! But, that’s because imperative sentences are naturally
directed at someone since they give direct orders. Since it is implied that the sentence is
directed at a person or group of people, it is usually unnecessary to name the subject.
To make this simpler to understand, let’s try adding a person’s name to the beginning of
some imperative sentences:
Sally, please don’t give the dog popcorn.
Drivers, drive slowly.
Sam, eat your popcorn!
Everybody be quiet!
Now, if you take away the underlined subjects from the sentences above, they still
make sense:
b. Decide on punctuation
The sentence’s tone will decide whether it ends in a period or exclamation mark:
A forceful or demanding tone should have an exclamation mark: Stop feeding the dog!
A suggestive or polite tone only needs a period: Please don’t give the dog popcorn!
Overall, the tone of an imperative sentence, and its punctuation, are up to you.
Using imperative sentences is pretty easy—in fact, you do it all the time without even
noticing! Here are a few tips for using them successfully:
a. Purpose
Remember their purpose. You can use them to:
express your wishes for someone
give requests
give instructions
c. Exercise
You want to ask a request for someone
Please, feed your pet to prevent its starving!
You want to give instruction to someon
You want to invite someone to do something
You want to give important demand for someone