Unit 1

SENTENCES
 Sentences
• When we speak or write we use
words. We generally use these words
in groups; as,

• Little Jack Homer played with a ball.

• A group of words like this, which

makes complete sense, is called a
Sentence.
 Sentences

Sentences are of 4 kinds:

• Declarative Sentences
• Imperative Sentences
• Exclamatory Sentences
• Interrogative Sentences
Declarative Sentences

Declarative sentences make a statement to relay

information or ideas. They are punctuated with a
simple period. Formal essays or reports are
composed almost entirely of declarative sentences.

• The concert begins in two hours.

• July 4th is Independence Day.
• Declarative sentences make a statement.
• You’re a good man, Charlie Brown.
• Green is my favorite color.
• Hawaii is a tropical climate.
Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences issue commands or requests or
they can express a desire or wish. They are punctuated
with a simple period or they can be exclamations
requiring an exclamation mark. It all depends on the
strength of emotion you want to express.

• Halt!
• Yield.
• Watch for oncoming traffic.
• Respond immediately.
• Please lower your voice.
• Meet me at the town square.
• Drop what you’re doing and come celebrate with us!
Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences express strong emotion. It
doesn’t really matter what the emotion is, an exclamatory
sentence is the type of sentence needed to express it.
Exclamatory sentences always end in an exclamation
mark, so it’s pretty easy to spot them. 

• The river is rising!

• I can’t wait for the party!
• I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t pass this test!
• Oh, my goodness, I won!
• Suddenly, a bear appeared in my path!
• This is the best day of my life!
• Please don’t go!
Interrogative Sentences
Interrogative sentences are also easy to spot.
That’s because they always ask a question and
end in a question mark.

• Is it snowing?
• Have you had breakfast?
• Do you want Coke or Pepsi?
• Who are you taking to the prom?
• You like Mexican food, don’t you?
 Sentences
Below you’ll find a list of sentences. Test your understanding of the
four types of sentences by deciding which kind of sentence is
portrayed.

1. Are you ready to go?

2. Atlanta is the capital of Georgia.
3. I can’t believe the Falcons lost the game!
4. Take me out to the ballgame.
5. Where did I leave my wallet?
6. I lost my wallet at the concert.
7. Oh, my gosh, I lost my wallet at the concert!
8. Please leave your boots at the door.
9. Hurray, I passed the math test!
10. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars.
 Sentences
How did you do? Check your answers below.

1.Interrogative.
2. Declarative
3. Exclamatory
4. Imperative
5. Interrogative
6. Declarative
7. Imperative
8. Imperative
9. Exclamatory
10. Imperative
The important thing to take away from this is that when you use the four
different sentence types in your writing, your writing is automatically
more interesting.
 Sentences
My favorite sport is baseball. I’d be happy watching baseball 24 hours a day. If I
had to pick one sport from all the rest, I’d choose baseball hands down. I wish I
could watch a game tonight, even though baseball season is months away.

Not too exciting, right? That’s because the paragraph is written entirely with
declarative sentences. That means boring. We can fix that. Just use the
different sentence types and you’re message becomes much more engaging for
your reader. Like this…

Do you have a favorite sport? I do and it’s baseball. There is a reason baseball is
America’s favorite past time. It’s on-the- edge-of- your- seat, biting your
fingernails exciting! If I could watch baseball 24 hours a day, life would be
complete. Actually, I have “Memorable Moments in Baseball” recorded on my DVR.
I think I’ll watch it right now and get in the baseball spirit, even though baseball
season is months away!

Quite a difference, right? In the above example you see each of the four
sentence types in action. Did that make a difference? Compare the paragraph
above to the first paragraph. I think you’ll find the emotion, level of excitement,
and punch in the second paragraph is obviously more engaging.
Now take the assessment on
Sentences!