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Understanding The Four Different Types of Sentences And How To Use Them Effectively.

 



A sentence is a set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a
subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or
command, and consisting of a main clause and sometimes one or more
subordinate clauses.

A sentence can convey a statement, a question, an exclamation, or a command. 

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

  • declarative sentence (statement)
  • interrogative sentence (question)
  • imperative sentence (command)
  • exclamative sentence (exclamation)
 formfunctionexample sentence (clause)final punctuation
1declarativestatement: It tells us somethingJohn likes Mary..
2interrogativequestion: It asks us somethingDoes Mary like John??
3imperativecommand: It tells us to do somethingStop!
Close the door.		! or .
4exclamativeexclamation: It expresses surpriseWhat 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:

positivenegative
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:

positivenegative
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:

positivenegative
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!
I hope that you enjoyed this article and that it will help you with you teaching/studying.
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