Each sentence that you write serves a dual role. In simple words, each sentence accomplishes one of these purposes. Either it makes a statement, poses a question, gives an order, or conveys emotion; or it follows one of several sentence patterns, such as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex. But not all sentences serve the same purpose or follow the same structure.
Sentence classification usually falls into two categories: the sentence’s purpose and its construction.
In this blog, we will discuss the four types of sentences according to their purpose: declarative, interrogative, imperative and exclamatory sentences and briefly mention the four types based on their construction, like simple, compound, complex and compound-complex.
Two Ways to Classify Sentences: Function and Structure
There are two different methods of understanding sentence types, which are function and structure.
Types of Sentences by Functions
The classification of sentences according to their function involves identifying the purpose of the sentence. They are classified into four categories:
- Declarative sentences are used to make a statement or give information.
- Interrogative sentences pose questions.
- Imperative sentences issue commands, directions, or requests.
- Exclamatory sentences are used to express strong feelings.
For example, consider the idea of cooking rice.
| Sentence Type | Example |
| Declarative | She cooked the rice on time. |
| Interrogative | Did she cook the rice? |
| Imperative | Cook the rice now. |
| Exclamatory | She cooked the rice! |
The basic idea kind of remains the same; however, the purpose and punctuation change in the above-mentioned sentences.
Types of Sentences by Structure
The structural approach is concerned with the number of independent and dependent clauses in the sentence. The four types of sentences, according to structure, include:
- A simple sentence has one independent clause.
- A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, which may be joined using a coordinating conjunction.
- A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
- A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Both approaches are independent of each other. This means that a sentence may be both declarative and complex. This is significant since the four functional and structural types of sentences are not conflicting in nature.
Declarative Sentences: Making Statements
A declarative sentence is used to make a statement, provide information, or give an opinion. They are one of the most commonly used forms of writing sentences in the English language.
Remember: Declarative sentences usually end with a period (.)
For example:
- The zoo remains closed on Tuesdays.
- I love to read crime novels.
- Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.
- My brother bought a house in Texas.
- The students finished their homework.
Declarative sentences can also be long, and they can include different types of information.
For example:
The new faculty staff is extremely helpful.
This sentence gives information about the faculty staff. It does not provide any instruction or ask a question, so it is declarative.
When To Use Declarative Sentences?
You use declarative sentences when you want to:
- convey information,
- announce something,
- explain something,
- describe a person, place, or situation
- express an opinion
Most paragraphs have several declarative sentences in them because writers often use them when they want to explain or give information.
Interrogative Sentences: Asking Questions
An interrogative sentence is one that asks a question. This type of sentence is used when the speaker or writer wants to obtain certain information, or to acquire confirmation or clarification.
An interrogative sentence usually ends with a question mark (?).
For example:
- Can you tell me where the nearest coffee shop is?
- Did you do your homework?
- Are you joining the meeting?
- What is she reading?
- Who are they?
- How are you?
Some interrogative sentences begin with words that ask for information such as who, what, when, where, why, and how. Other interrogative sentences may begin with helping verbs such as is, are, do, does, did, or can.
Why Interrogative Sentences Matter
Questions are used to obtain information and to make the conversation interactive. They play an important role in research activities such as academic writing, interviews, surveys, discussions, and everyday communication.
Quick Tip: When writing or speaking an interrogative sentence, make sure to put a question mark if the sentence is directly asking a question.
Imperative Sentences: Giving Commands and Requests
An imperative sentence provides instruction, command, direction, straight advice or request. The subject is often unsaid, as it is assumed to be you.
For example:
- Close the window.
- Please pass the sugar.
- Take your seat.
- Read the terms and conditions.
- Turn right at the next turn.
In the sentence ‘Close the window’, the person being spoken to is assumed to be ‘you’. The whole sentence would actually be: ‘You close the window’; only the subject is left unsaid.
Additionally, imperative sentences can convey different levels of meaning based on context:
Instruction: Go through the terms & conditions.
Request: Please send me the report.
Advice: Get some help.
Command: Stop moving.
Direction: Turn right after the bridge.
Most of these sentences will end in a period; this punctuation mark indicates that the given instruction is rather straightforward.
On the other hand, one might also see an exclamation point at the end of an imperative sentence. Such grammatical construction points out that the said sentence is an urgent order or a strong request.
Exclamatory Sentences: Expressing Strong Emotion
An exclamatory sentence is used to express strong emotion or feeling. It may be used to show excitement, surprise, anger, fear, admiration, joy, or a powerful emotion of some type.
Exclamatory sentences always end in an exclamation point (!).
For examples:
- What an excellent movie!
- That was a great performance!
- I can’t believe I won!
- The cat is so adorable!
- What an amazing view!
Exclamatory sentences should be used to emphasize a particular emotion. However, excessive use of exclamation points is not appropriate in formal writing, and thus such sentences are rare in academic and professional contexts.
Punctuation Guide: Matching End Marks to Sentence Type
With the help of punctuation, you can understand both the purpose and tone of a sentence.
| Functional type | Main purpose | Typical punctuation | Example |
| Declarative | Make a statement | Period (.) | The result will go live today. |
| Interrogative | Pose question | Question mark (?) | Will the report go live today? |
| Imperative | Gives a command or request | Period (.) or exclamation point (!) | Please submit the report today. |
| Exclamatory | Expresses strong emotion | Exclamation point (!) | What a good result! |
The punctuation rule is simple in most cases; however, for imperative sentences, you will have to make a little effort to distinguish between a demanding and an uncomplicated request.
A calm or polite order usually ends with a period.
For example: Please close the window.
A demanding one may end with an exclamation point.
For example: Close the window now!
A Quick Look at Structural Sentence Types
The function of a sentence informs us about what it does, while its structure tells us how it does it. The following quick analysis shows the four kinds of structure, with a single concept used in each type.
1. Simple Sentences
A simple sentence contains one independent clause. This type of sentence consists of just one idea expressed by one subject and one predicate.
For example:
The dogs are barking.
This sentence has a subject (dogs), a verb (barking) and a complete thought.
2. Compound Sentences
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses, which are joined by coordinating conjunctions (and, but, yet, or, so).
For example:
The dogs are barking, but their owners are near them.
The above sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, which forms a compound sentence.
3. Complex Sentences
A complex sentence combines an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses.
For example:
The children played in the park while the weather was pleasant.
In this sentence, “the children played in the park” is an independent clause and “while the weather was pleasant” is a dependent clause.
Complex sentences are beneficial in establishing a connection between various elements in the sentence, which enables the writer to create a sequence of events or states, for example, cause and effect, time, conditional, or contrast.
4. Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence combines two or more independent clauses with one or more subordinate clauses.
The children played in the park while the weather was pleasant and their parents sat nearby.
A compound-complex sentence combines the elements of a compound and a complex sentence. It allows you to build a sentence using multiple independent and subordinate clauses.
Understanding all types of sentences is essential to achieve proficiency in writing. By knowing the differences between independent, subordinate, and combined clauses, one can properly construct complex sentence structures and avoid repeating the same pattern in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kinds of Sentences
What are the different kinds of sentences?
Depending on the function, sentences can be categorized into declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory types. Based on structure, sentences are either simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentences.
What is a declarative sentence?
Declarative sentences make a statement or convey information. The sentence is always punctuated with a period. For example, “The meeting starts at twelve.”
What is an imperative sentence?
Imperative sentences issue commands, instructions, or requests. These sentences have an implied subject of you, as in “Close the door and please sit down.”
What is an exclamatory sentence?
Exclamatory sentences contain great emotions such as excitement or surprise. They are usually ended with an exclamation mark, as in the case of “What a wonderful surprise!”
Can an imperative sentence end with an exclamation point?
Yes. Although imperative sentences end with periods, a command that carries a sense of urgency or forcefulness can end with an exclamation point, as in the case of “Stop right there!”
