Introduction
A sentence is the basic unit of English grammar. Without sentences, we cannot express our ideas clearly. On this page, you will learn what a sentence is, its types, rules, and examples.
What is a sentence?
Definition: A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
A sentence:
- Begins with a capital letter
- Ends with a full stop (.), question mark (?), or exclamation mark (!)
- Usually consists of a subject and a predicate
Examples:
- I teach English.
- Learn English.
- Do you teach English?
- May God help you!
Types of Sentences
There are five types of sentences in English:
- Declarative / Assertive Sentence
- Interrogative Sentence
- Imperative Sentence
- Optative Sentence
- Exclamatory Sentence
Let’s understand them one by one with simple explanations and examples.
1. Declarative / Assertive Sentence
A sentence that accepts or denies something is called an Assertive Sentence. It ends with a full stop (.).
Structure:
Subject + Verb + Object / Complement + .
Examples:
- I teach English.
- I do not teach English.
- He is a teacher.
- Sonu has milk.
- Sonu has no milk.
Sub-types of Assertive Sentences
There are two types:
(a) Affirmative Sentence
A sentence that accepts something is called an Affirmative Sentence.
Examples:
- I teach English.
- He is a teacher.
- Sonu has milk.
(b) Negative Sentence
A sentence that denies something is called a Negative Sentence.
Examples:
- I do not teach maths.
- He is not a teacher.
- Sonu has no milk.
Note:
Negative sentences contain the following negative words:
no, not, never, none, nobody, nothing, nowhere, neither, nor, hardly, rarely, seldom, scarcely.
Few and little are negative only when used without “a”.
Examples:
- I have few books. (negative sentence)
- I have little milk. (negative sentence)
- He hardly comes here. (negative sentence)
2. Interrogative Sentence
A sentence that asks a question is called an Interrogative Sentence. It ends with a question mark (?).
Structures:
- Helping Verb + Subject + Verb + … + ?
- Wh-word + Helping Verb + Subject + … + ?
Examples:
- Do you swim?
- When do you swim?
Wh-words / Question Words
A word used to ask a question is called a Wh-word. What, when, where, which, why, who, whom, whose and how are Wh-words.
Types of Interrogative Sentences
(a) Yes-No Question
A question that can be answered with yes or no is called a yes-no question.
Examples:
- Are you learning English?
- Has Nitu played ludo?
(b) Wh-Question
A question that cannot be answered with yes or no is called a wh-question.
Examples:
- Why are you learning English?
- Where has Nitu played ludo?
3. Imperative Sentence
Definition: A sentence that expresses order, command, advice, request, or prohibition is called an Imperative Sentence.
Structures:
- Verb (V1) + (Object + ). (order/advice)
- Do not + V1 + (Object +) . (prohibition)
- Please / Kindly + V1 + (Object +). (request)
Examples:
- Bring water.
- Drink water.
- Do not bring water.
- Please bring water.
- Bring water, please.
Types of Imperative Sentences
(a) Positive Imperative
A sentence that is used to tell someone to do something.
Examples:
- Bring water.
- Drink water.
- Please help me.
(b) Negative Imperative
A sentence that is used used to tell someone not to do something.
Examples:
- Do not tell a lie.
- Never waste time.
4. Optative Sentence
A sentence that expresses wish, hope, prayer, blessing, or curse is called an Optative Sentence. It usually ends with an exclamation mark (!), but sometimes a full stop (.) is also used.
Structures:
- May + Subject + Verb + !
- Subject + Verb + !
Examples:
- May you succeed!
- God bless you!
- Long live the king!
- I wish you success in life.
- Let there be peace on Earth.
5. Exclamatory Sentence
A sentence used to express strong feelings such as happiness, sorrow, surprise, anger, or excitement is called an exclamatory sentence.
They end with an exclamation mark (!).
Structures:
- How + Adjective/Adverb + Subject + Verb + !
- What + Noun + Subject + Verb + !
Examples:
- How beautiful she is!
- What a brave boy he is!
- Alas! He is dead.
- Hurrah! We won the match.
- Wow, you solved the problem so quickly!
- Wow! This painting is amazing.
Conclusion
Understanding sentences is the foundation of English grammar. Once you master this topic, learning tenses, narration, voice, and transformation becomes much easier.
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Exercise 1
Identify the type of sentence: Assertive, Interrogative, Imperative, Optative, or Exclamatory.
- What a beautiful day it is!
- Close the door.
- She is reading a book.
- Where are you going?
- Please help me.
- How fast he runs!
- They live in Delhi.
- Do you like mangoes?
- Keep quiet.
- Alas! He failed the exam.
Answers
- Exclamatory
- Imperative
- Assertive
- Interrogative
- Imperative
- Exclamatory
- Assertive
- Interrogative
- Imperative
- Exclamatory