Classification of Sentence by Purpose

Course Instructor: Nazia Kalsoom

In English language sentence is divided into four types according to
purposes/meaning, declarative sentences, interrogative sentences, imperative
sentences, and exclamatory sentences. Sentence types are sometimes
called clause types.

  Form Function Example Final

sentence punctuation
(clause)

1 Declarative statement: It tells us John likes Mary. .

something

2 Interrogativ question: It asks us Does Mary like ?

e something John?

3 Imperative command: It tells us Stop! ! or.

to do something Close the door.

4 Exclamative exclamation: It What a funny !

expresses surprise story he told us!
1. Declarative Sentence (statement)

The first type of sentence in the English language is the declarative sentence.
Declarative sentences, or declarations, convey information or make statements.
They tell us something and they normally end with a full-stop/period.
The usual word order for the declarative sentence is:

Subject + verb
For example:

 My cat chases rabbits.

 Her brother has lived in Alabama for seven years.
 A tornado destroyed the grain bins.
 The trains leaves tomorrow promptly at noon.
Periods indicate declarative sentences in written English. Declarative sentences
are the most common type of sentence.
Declarative sentences can be positive or negative.

Examples:

positive negative

I like coffee. I do not like coffee.

We watched TV last night. We did not watch TV last night.

2. Interrogative Sentence (question)

The second type of sentence in the English language is the interrogative

sentence. 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
For example:

 When does the train leave?

  How old is your daughter?
 Would you like some more tea?

A tag question, or question tag or tail question, is a grammatical structure that

converts a declarative or imperative sentence into a question through the
addition of an interrogative fragment on the end of the sentence. For example:

 He didn’t take the train, did he?

 She has finished her degree, hasn’t she?
 You could wash the dishes, couldn’t you?
 Run to the store, will you?

Interrogative sentences can be positive or negative.

positive negative

Do you like coffee? Don't you like coffee?

Why did you go? Why didn't you go?

3. Imperative Sentence (command)

The third type of sentence in the English language is the imperative sentence.
Imperative sentences, or imperatives, make commands or requests. They tell us
to do something, and they end with a full-stop/period (.) or exclamation
mark/point (!).There is usually no subject—because the subject is understood, it
is YOU.
The usual word order for the imperative sentence is:
Base verb
For example:

 Bring me some sugar.

 Buy some bread and milk on your way home.
  Stop talking so loudly!
 Open the windows to let the smoke out!
Periods and exclamation marks indicate imperative sentences in written English.

Imperative sentences can be positive or negative.

positive negative

Stop! Do not stop!

Give her coffee. Don't give her coffee.

4. Exclamative Sentence (exclamation)

The fourth type of sentence in the English language is the exclamatory sentence.
Exclamatory sentences, or exclamations, show emphasis. Unlike the other three
sentences purposes, exclamatory sentences are not a distinct sentence type.
Instead, declarative, interrogative, and imperative sentences become
exclamatory through added emphasis. 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

For example:

 The train left an hour ago! (declarative)

 How did you break your leg?! (interrogative)
 Stop chewing with your mouth open! (imperative)
 What an exciting movie it was!
Summary:
The four types of sentence purposes in the English language are declarative,
interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory.

 Declarative sentences, or declarations, convey information or make

statements.
 Interrogative sentences, or questions, request information or ask
questions.
 Imperative sentences, or imperatives, make commands or requests.
 Exclamatory sentences, or exclamations, show emphasis.

References:
Brinton, Laurel J. & Donna M. Brinton. 2010. The linguistic structure of Modern
English, 2nd edn. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Hopper, Paul J. 1999. A short course in grammar. New York: W. W. Norton &
Company.
Huddleston, Rodney. 1984. Introduction to the grammar of English. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.