Have you ever noticed that what is the smallest part of English grammar or can say the whole English? If you do, you will realize that the alphabet is the smallest unit in whole English! And with the help of those alphabets, words are formed. And then those words combined together forming something we called, “Sentences”. In other words, A sentence is a group of words that makes complete meaning or sense.
For example,
1- She is cooking food in the kitchen.
2- Are you going to finish this task by tomorrow?
3- Hurray! We won the match.
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| The Sentence |
All the above examples are valid sentences made by using some words and are meaningful! Except this, A sentence has some grammar rules of formation that are necessary to follow. The rules are pretty simple and are as follows:
1- A sentence must start with the capital letter, i.e, the starting letter of the sentence must be capitalized.
For eg, Fred is the monitor of their class.
2- Once the sentence has been completely written, then a full stop or any suitable period must put in the end to end the sentence. It can be a full stop (.), a question mark (?), an interrogation mark (!), etc.
For eg, What a beautiful day it is!
Where she is going?
3- The sentence must contain a subject and at least one verb (whether it is a helping verb or a main verb). Because without subject and verb the sentence can’t make any sense and hence it’s the last point that the sentence must be meaningful and makes sense.
For eg,
She is a sweet girl.
Here, “she” is the subject indicating a person or a girl to be more precise, and “is” here is the helping verb.
Let’s take another example:
It is raining since morning.
Here, “It” denotes the subject whereas “is” (helping verb) and “raining” (main verb) are denoting verbs.
Types of sentences:
Now after we know what a sentence is and how it is written, let’s look at the types of sentences. Sentences can be divided on two basis:
1- Based on Functionality.
2- Based on Structure.
For now, we are not focusing based on structure (since it is an advanced part), so let’s discuss the types of sentences based on functionality.
Types of sentences based on functionality:
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| Types of Sentences |
We have generally four types of sentences. These types are very simple to understand as it leads to the basic part of grammar. These types are as follows:
1- Declarative/ Assertive sentences:
As the name suggests, Declarative sentences are those sentences that declare or express something. Let’s understand with the help of examples:
I shall visit the zoo next week.
Here, a declaration has been made that he will go to the zoo by the next week.
Sangeeta is feeling sick for two hours.
Here, a feeling of the unwell condition is declared. Some more examples are as follows:
- The clock is hanging on the wall.
- She works in the production department.
- An airplane has landed a few minutes ago.
- We have learned declarative sentences.
Note: Assertive sentences always end with the full stop (.).
2- Imperative Sentences:
Imperative sentences imply any request or order made by someone, i.e, a sentence is said to be imperative if any request, command, or entreaty is made in it. Let’s understand with the help of examples:
He ordered the servant to bring him some food.
Here, the subject ordered his servant to bring him some food, and as the sentence showing the command, it is imperative!
Please pass me the eraser.
In this sentence, a request has been made to pass an eraser. Hence it is also imperative. Some more examples are as follows:
- Be careful!
- Please give this parcel to Mr. Sharma.
- I need you to be quiet.
- Have some mercy upon us.
Note: Imperative sentences usually end with the full stop (.) but in some cases, it can be ended with an exclamation sign (!).
3- Exclamatory Sentences:
Exclamatory sentences are used where the sign of strong feeling is needed to imply. In other words, exclamatory sentences are those sentences that signify a strong feeling or emotion. Let’s understand with the help of examples:
Shame on you!
Here, a strong feeling of shame is stated and thus it is an exclamatory sentence.
How cold the night is!
In this sentence, a strong emotion of expressing the cold night is present. Hence it is also exclamatory. Some more examples are as follows:
- What a poor guy he is!
- We won the match!
- I hate you!
- Alas, he died at so young age!
Note: Exclamation mark (!) is used at the end of the exclamatory sentences.
4- Interrogative Sentences:
Interrogative sentences are those sentences that imply any question. In other words, interrogative sentences are questionable sentences describing any question. Let’s understand with the help of examples:
Have you finished your lunch?
Here, a question has been asked if the lunch has been finished or not.
Where do you live?
In this sentence, a question is asked that where do you live. Hence it is also interrogative. Some more examples are as follows:
- Which dress are you wearing today?
- How you solved that hard problem?
- Where these fishes come from?
- What is the price of that yellow dress?
Note: Question mark (?) is used at the end of the interrogative sentences.
So these were the types of sentences that we generally use. Apart from these, we will cover the types of sentences based on structure later. But the Sentence has just started, more terms and grammar are still to be covered. Till then you can try the following exercise below:
Test Your Skill:
- Classify the following sentences based on their type:
1- Clean your room.
2- He wants to become an astronaut.
3- I request you to stop bothering me.
4- What a Shame!
5- Where are you going?
6- Be polite!
7- The beggar was lying near the temple.
8- What a beautiful sunset!
9- Which team are you supporting today?
10- They were fighting near the playground.
How many you got correct? Also, don’t forget to share the score in the comment below…
Answers:
1- Imperative.
2- Assertive/declarative.
3- Imperative.
4- Exclamatory.
5- Interrogative.
6- Imperative.
7- Assertive/declarative.
8- Exclamatory.
9- Interrogative.
10- Assertive/declarative.
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