To express or communicate what we want to say, we sometimes use different kinds of sentences. Here, we will talk about four different types of sentences: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory; each has its functions and patterns.
We use them to convey facts and ideas, in other words, they are used to declare something. These are by far the most used kind of sentence in writing and speaking.
Think about your communication in daily life. Most of our communication is to give or take information. We speak to people about what we desire to know, we provide the answers to their questions, we share different ideas and opinions we have. This kind of communication is conveyed through declarative sentences.
Here are a few examples:
The dog went to the park
Rambo saw the dog playing with a ball.
Dogs do not run away
The dogs which run away are not properly trained.
We use this type of sentence to make a plea or to give a command. Imperative sentences usually end with a full stop, but under some circumstances, they can end with a note of exclamation (i.e., exclamation mark).
This type of imperative sentence is to wish someone or to make a polite request. For eg, excuse me, please!
This type of imperative sentence is for inviting someone, for eg- Please join me for a coffee.
These imperative sentences convey a command or request, such as, “Stop playing around and help me!
This type of imperative sentence gives a command. For eg- Take right and go straight.
Here are a few Examples-
Never hate a person who teaches you.
Take a right and go straight.
Don’t be so scared of his attitude.
Don’t rush or you will forget your belongings.
Read more to write well.
Write whenever you get a chance.
This type of sentence, asks a question. Interrogative sentences must end with an inquiry and a question mark.
These types of sentences are mostly used when someone wants some information and they pose a question.
Three main question types fall under interrogative sentence-
Yes/No question: the answer to this kind of question is "yes or no", for example:
Do you want lunch? (No, thank you.)
Question-word (WH) question: the answer to this kind of question is some "information", for example:
Where do you play? (In Park.)
Choice question: the answer to this kind of question is "in the question", for example:
Do you want tea or ice tea? (Tea please.)
Are you catholic?
Where do you live?
What do you want to have for dinner?
Do you like the custard apple?
When you make a statement that shows any emotion and ends with an exclamation mark, this is called an exclamatory sentence. These are often used within the English language and are useful to have in your vocabulary as a way of expressing yourself.
Exclamative sentences are rarely used in academic writing, except when they appear in quoted material, which would likely be rare in that field. Please be cautious that the overuse of exclamations and exclamation points in essays, speeches, non-fiction, or fiction makes it look amateur. Use exclamations only when necessary, such as in a direct quote or dialogue.
Jesus! He scared the hell out of me!
You were supposed to be here yesterday!
Hurray! We won the football match.
It's a girl!
Here, we have discussed different kinds of sentences with examples, now let us go through some solved examples and frequently asked questions.
1. Which of These is a Declarative Sentence?
a. Will you go to the mall with me?
b. Wow, you performed well!
c. I am a student at Chintels Strong School.
2. Which of These is an Interrogative Sentence?
a. You won the award!
b. Can you play Cricket?
c. He has red hair and green eyes.
3. Which of These is an Exclamatory Sentence?
a. You are a fifth-grade student.
b. What an amazing day!
c. What is your location?
Please add the correct punctuation on the given sentences. Punctuation means periods(full stop), exclamation points, and question marks.
4. Maria is a teacher at our school._______
5. Who is your mother?__________
6. What a crazy movie! __________
Q1. How Many Types of Sentences are There in English?
Ans. There are two ways in which sentences are categorized. First, on the basis of purpose and second, on the basis of sentence structure. There are four basic types of sentences that we use for different purposes:
Q2. How Many Kinds of Sentences are there Based on Sentence Structure?
Ans. The physical form of a sentence and how the elements of that sentence are viewed are referred to as sentence structure. Writers should aim to vary their sentence structure, just as they should vary their word usage, to construct rhythmic prose and keep their reader entertained. Subjects, lengths, and forms are often repeated in sentences that involve variation.
A simple sentence consists of an independent clause that does not contain a conjunction or a dependent clause.
Two separate clauses are joined by a conjunction to form a composite sentence (e.g., and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so).
A complex sentence is made up of at least one independent clause and one dependent clause. Conjunctions and subordinators, words that help the dependent clauses relate to the independent clause, are used to link the clauses in a complex sentence. Subordinators may refer to the independent clause's subject (who, which), sequence/time (since, while), or causal elements (because, if).
Sentences with multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause are known as compound-complex sentences. Conjunctions and subordinators are included in these sentences.