Types of Sentences- Kinds of Sentences with Examples, Uses

A sentence is a group of words that conveys a complete idea. Sentence is basically the functional and fundamental unit of the English communication. Complete sentences must have at least one subject and predicate, and the predicate contains a verb. A subject is what we talk of and the predicate describes the subject. Complete sentences start with a capital letter, and they end with a punctuation mark such as a period, exclamation point, or question mark depending on the type of sentence.

Types of Sentences with Definitions

Four sentences’ types of the English language are given here: declarative, interrogatives, imperatives and exclamations. Using different sentences in your writing will increase your interest and help you communicate your ideas effectively.

Read the explanations and examples of each type of sentence to get the point.

4 Types of Sentences with Examples

1. Declarative Types of sentences (statement)

A declarative statement or assertive sentence is the most basic type of statement. They are meant to convey information and are separated by periods. A simple declarative statement allows you to create basic statements such as:

1. I am a teacher.
2. There is a white palace.
3. The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
4. She likes the blue colour.

Note:- Declarative sentence always ends with a period (full stop).

2. Interrogative Types of sentences (question)

Interrogative sentences are used to ask questions. Questions can be of any type. These are the direct questions separated by the question mark. For example:-

1. Why are you going there?
2. Do you love to play cricket?
3. What do you want; chocolate or ice cream?
4. Can I come with you?

3. Imperative Types of sentences (commands and requests)

Imperative sentences are used for commands, requests or orders. They can be in any form like direct order, general advice or polite request. Many imperative sentences are separated by period but sometimes more forceful commands end with an exclamation mark. For example:-

1. Sit down!
2. Please give me a glass of water.
3. Pick up the garbage when you go.
4. Don’t make noise!

4. Exclamatory sentence Type (exclamation)

An exclamation is a sentence that is used to express a sudden strong feeling and ends with an exclamation mark. Similar to declarative statements in that they provide information, but end with an exclamation point instead of a period. For example:-

1. Hurrah! India won the match.
2. Wow, how good this is!
3. How beautifully she has drawn the painting!
4. How he lied!

4 Types of Sentences on the basis of structure

If we read about the classification of sentenceson the basis of structure, then there are also  4-kinds of sentences, and these are:

1. Simple sentence
2. Compound Sentence.
3. Complex sentence
4. Compound-Complex sentence.

Now, we will read each type of sentences in more detail

Selecting the Right type of Sentence

Using the correct type of sentence in your writing depends on your intent.

• To communicate information, use a declarative sentence.
• To get the answer of any question, use an interrogative sentence.
• To tell someone what to do, use imperative sentence.
• To express your feelings, sudden emotions, use exclamatory sentence.

Types of Sentences: Quick Revision

The table below is the summary of these 4-kinds of sentences

Types of Sentences: Exercises

Q.1 Look at the following sentences and check whether Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative or Exclamatory.

1. Do you drink juice daily?
2. Stars are twinkling in the sky.
3. Ah! What a lovely garden.
4. Let us go for a cricket match.
5. Let us go to watch a movie.
6. The train is not departing on time.
7. Where has she gone?
8. Call in the doctor please.
9. Kindly lend me some money.
10. I like this flower.

Check your answers

1. Interrogative
2. Declarative
3. Exclamatory
4. Imperative
5. Imperative
6. Declarative
7. Interrogative
8. Imperative
9. Imperative
10. Declarative

Q.2  Rewrite these type of sentence as indicated in the bracket.

1. It is a lovely scenery. (Exclamatory)
2. Bravo! you have played well. (Assertive)
3. She did not dance well. (Interrogative)
4. Will you lend me some money? (Imperative)
5. Show me the road to go out. (Interrogative)

Check your answers

1. Wow! What a lovely scenery.
2. You have played bravely.
3. Did she dance well?
4. Kindly lend me some money.
5. Which road goes out?

All 12 Kinds of Sentences

Sentences can be categorized into different types based on their structure and function. Here are some common kinds of sentences:

1. Declarative Sentences: These sentences make a statement or provide information. They typically end with a period. For example, “I am going to the store.”
2. Interrogative Sentences: These sentences ask questions and seek information. They end with a question mark. For example, “What time is it?”
3. Imperative Sentences: These sentences give commands, instructions, or requests. They often do not include a subject and end with a period or an exclamation mark. For example, “Please pass the salt.”
4. Exclamatory Sentences: These sentences express strong emotions or excitement and typically end with an exclamation mark. For example, “What a beautiful sunset!”
5. Conditional Sentences: These sentences express a condition and its result. They often use words like “if,” “unless,” or “provided that.” For example, “If it rains, we will stay inside.”
6. Complex Sentences: These sentences consist of one main clause (independent clause) and one or more subordinate clauses (dependent clauses). The clauses are linked together to form a complex structure. For example, “Although it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.”
7. Compound Sentences: These sentences combine two or more independent clauses (main clauses) using coordinating conjunctions (such as “and,” “but,” “or,” “for,” “nor,” “so,” or “yet”). For example, “I wanted to go to the movies, but I couldn’t get a ticket.”
8. Simple Sentences: These sentences consist of a single independent clause and typically express a complete thought. For example, “She loves to read.”
9. Rhetorical Questions: These are questions asked not to obtain information but to make a point or create emphasis. They are often used in a way that does not expect a response. For example, “Do you think I’m stupid?”
10. Direct Speech: Sentences that convey spoken words exactly as they were said. For example, “He said, ‘I’ll be there at 3 o’clock.'”
11. Indirect Speech: Sentences that report what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. For example, “She said that she would come later.”
12. Narrative Sentences: These sentences are used to tell a story or describe a series of events. They often use past tense and include details to create a narrative flow. For example, “Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a brave knight.”
13. Descriptive Sentences: These sentences provide vivid descriptions of people, places, objects, or situations. They use adjectives and adverbs to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. For example, “The old, dusty book sat on the wooden shelf.”

These are some of the common kinds of sentences, and sentences can often fall into multiple categories at once, depending on their structure and purpose.