Types of Sentences in English

Now that you know how to write sentences, let us take a look at why we write sentences.

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There are four common types of sentences in English. Each sentence type has a different purpose:

• to make statements (declarative sentences)
  
  
• to ask questions (interrogative sentences)
  
  
• to give commands, suggestions, warnings (imperative sentences)
  
  
• to express strong emotions with statements (exclamatory sentences)
  
  

Most sentences you write are to make statements. In fact, you can write an entire essay using only this type of sentence.

But, we also write sentences to give commands and to ask questions. Sometimes we even use sentences to express strong emotions.

In this lesson, we will look at the four most common types of sentences, their uses, and their punctuation.

Declarative Sentences
(also called Assertive)

Declarative sentences are the most common type of sentence. Declarative sentences are used to make a statement. We can use declarative sentences to state a fact or an opinion.

Declarative sentences tell our readers something, without excitement or strong emotion.

Declarative sentences always end in a period.



Examples:






Declarative sentences can be either positive (affirmative) or negative.

Declarative sentences that have a positive meaning are called affirmative sentences.


Declarative sentences that have a negative meaning are called negative sentences. Negative sentences are the opposite of affirmative sentences.


Examples:

Positive (Affirmative)	Negative
The balloon is red.	The balloon is not blue.
The baby is crying.	The baby isn’t happy.
The man has a horse.	The man does not have a dog.
He is sleeping.	He is not awake.
The television is broken.	The television is not broken.

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Interrogative Sentences

The purpose of an interrogative sentence is to ask a question. We ask questions to get information.

Interrogative sentences always end with a question mark.

Examples:

• Where is the bathroom?
  
  
• Why were you late to work?
  
  
• Do you like pizza?
  
  
• Have you seen my cat?
  
  
• What is your name?
  
  
• Are you sad?
  
  
• Is Nick in the United States?
  
  
• Does Lisa drive a red car?
  

Follow the link to learn more about Asking Questions in English.


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Imperative Sentences

The purposes of imperative sentences are to give commands, warnings, suggestions, or advice. Imperative sentences can also be used to make a request.

Imperative sentences usually end in a period.


However, if the command is forceful or shouted, it can end with an exclamation mark.



Sometimes imperative sentences can be very short or even one word to express a forceful command.

Examples of imperative sentences:

• Please sit down. (request)
  
  
• Read pages 45-90 for homework. (command)
  
  
• You should wear gloves outside. (advice)

• Get along with others. (advice)
  
  
• Let's eat the picnic under the tree. (suggestion)
  
  
• Please hand me a pencil. (request)
  
  
• Be quiet! (command)
  
  
• Wait! (command/warning)
  
  
• Watch out for the dog! (warning)

When we say “please” in an imperative sentence, we usually use a period instead of an exclamation point because it is a polite command.

• Sit down!
  
  Please sit down.
  
  
• Come here!
  
  Please come here.
  
  
• Stop fighting!
  
  Stop fighting, please.

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Exclamatory Sentences

Exclamatory sentences are statements that express strong emotions.

They are like declaratives sentences, but they express stronger feelings such as happiness, sadness, surprise, and anger.

Exclamatory sentences are common when we talk and in informal writing and stories. We usually do not use exclamatory sentences in formal writing such as essays, formal letters, reports, and non-fiction books.

Here are some example sentences using the declarative examples from above.



















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These were Types of Sentences in English. Now that you know them, it is time to practice! Get our ESL Books!

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