What are sentences?

A sentence is a group of words with a subject and a verb that completes a thought. Each sentence conveys a statement, a question, an exclamation or a command. Additionally, each sentence consists of a main clause and one or more subclauses. 

Have you ever wondered how many types of sentences there are? There are different types of sentences in English. We will help you learn and understand the types of sentences with examples. 

What are the types of sentences?

There are four types of sentences in English. Each of these sentences is different and conveys a different kind of meaning. The four types of sentences in English are: 

• Interrogative sentences
• Declarative sentences 
• Imperative sentences 
• Exclamatory sentences

We have explained the types of sentences with examples below.

Interrogative Sentences 

Interrogative sentences are one of the types of sentences in English that asks a question. In an interrogative sentence, the verb that is used is called an auxiliary verb.

The subject follows the verb, and the question ends with the main verb. An example of this is, Are you okay? Every interrogative sentence ends with a question mark (?). 

Here are some examples of Interrogative sentences: 

• How much longer will you take? 
• Do you know the way to the park? 
• What are you doing?
• Are you coming with us to the zoo? 
• What will the laptop cost?

Each of these sentences ends with a question, showing that these sentences are interrogative. Interrogative sentences require a noun and a verb to be complete. 

Declarative Sentences 

As the name suggests, a declarative sentence declares something. The declaration can be a fact, opinion, or arrangement. Each declarative sentence requires a full stop or a period (.) at last. Declarative sentences can be of two types, positive or negative.

Here are a few use cases of declarative sentences are: 

• The sun sets in the west. 
• She is leaving for Russia tomorrow. 
• I don’t think he is going to come to Mumbai. 
• He works till 7 pm every day. 
• We planned to visit Kashmir this year. 

Each of these sentences is facts, opinions or an arrangement. All of these sentences end with a period. 

Imperative Sentences 

An imperative sentence is a sentence that commands or requests something. In these sentences, you will notice there is no use of the word ‘you’ as the sentence’s subject. The subject is always missing in an imperative sentence, which helps identify an imperative sentence. 

The imperative is in the form of friendly advice, instructions or commands. These imperative sentences either end with a full stop (.) or an exclamation point (!). When the sentence is forceful and demanding in nature, it ends with an exclamation point to send a message to the other person. 

Here are some examples of an imperative sentence: 

• Please close the door. 
• Clean up the mess. 
• Stop when the signal turns red.
• Leave earlier to reach school on time. 
• Please keep your voices low in the library. 

Exclamatory Sentences 

Exclamatory sentences are sentences that emphasise declarative or imperative sentences. An exclamatory sentence expresses the intense emotions of a person. 

An exclamatory sentence is similar to a declarative sentence as they convey something. However, instead of ending with a full stop or period (.), they end with an exclamation mark (!). 

Here are a few use cases of exclamatory sentences. 

• She got into Boston University!
• We knew you wanted a surprise birthday party, so we threw one!
• Hurry up, or we’ll be late!
• How well she dances!
• I got a new job at the museum!

Exclamatory sentences are used in simple sentences and are written in dialogues to portray the person’s emotions. However, these sentences are not used in academic writing.

Conclusion

Every sentence we use while conversing or writing falls under the category of a kind of sentence. We use many types of sentences in English while talking or writing. We need to know about the forms of sentences and how they are used.