JK Academy Definition of a sentence.
A collection of words, aligned in a specific order, such that they now convey a clear idea is called a sentence.
A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark at the end, depending on what the sentence is conveying.
While communicating, we express statements, questions, exclamations and commands or requests.
Therefore, we categorize these sentences into the following four types:
1. Assertive or Declarative Sentence:
A sentence that conveys or states a fact is an Assertive or Declarative Sentence.
We punctuate these sentences with a period or full stop (.) at the end.
Example:
The soup was very hot.
Streets look dirty if we litter them.
Bharat Natyam is an Indian dance.
2. Interrogative Sentence:
When a sentence requests information by asking a direct question, it is said to be an Interrogative sentence.
We end an Interrogative sentence with a question mark (?).
Interrogative sentence could be affirmative or negative question.
There are four types of Interrogative sentences:
- Wh – questions: It is an Interrogative sentence that begins with a wh word – How, What, When, Where, Why, Which, Who, Whose, Whom
Example:
Where are you going for your vacation?
When is the first lecture?
What time is the train?
- Yes – No questions: It is an Interrogative where the answer is expected in a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’. They begin with helping verbs.
Example:
Do you like cooking?
Are you leaving to play the piono?
Will you give this money to charity?
- Alternative questions: It is an Interrogative sentence that provides alternatives or choices. They also begin with a helping verb.
Example:
Do you think I should pursue Science or Humanities?
Will you have an ice-cream or a pizza?
Should I wear the blue dress or the red one for the party?
- Question Tags: It is an Interrogative sentence which asks for a confirmation by adding a tag word at the end of a statement.
Formation of question tags:
A tag word (which is a helping verb) is added after a declarative or assertive sentence followed by a pronoun (which represents the subject).
If the declarative or assertive sentence is in the affirmative then the tag will be negative and if the declarative or assertive sentence is affirmative then the tag will be affirmative.
Example:
Ron is playing football, isn’t he?
We ate a veg-burger, didn’t we? The children hadn’t watched this movie before, had they?
3. Exclamatory Sentence:
These sentences express emotions such as joy, love, anger, regret, pain, sorrow, etc.
We punctuate an exclamatory sentence with an exclamation mark (!) at the end of the sentence.
Example:
What a splendid game!
How wonderfully she plays her part!
You’re being selfish!
An interjection is followed by an exclamation mark (!)
Example:
Oops! I spilled the juice.
Bravo! You were brilliant.
4. Imperative Sentence:
These sentences give advice, order, command, request, suggestion, invitation, offer, instructions, etc.
An imperative sentence begins with a verb and ends with a period or full stop. (.) The subject is understood to be ‘You’ as these sentences begin with a verb.
Example:
Please help me complete this assignment. (request)
Study hard. (advice)
Walk straight and then turn right. (instruction)
Let’s visit the museum tomorrow. (suggestion)
Come in and have a seat. (invitation)
Keep quiet. (order)
Affirmative & Negative Sentences:
A sentence can be affirmative or negative.
What is an affirmative sentence?
A sentence that does not make use of no, not, never, nothing is said to be an affirmative sentence. In other words it states that what is being said is true.
What is a negative sentence?
A sentence that makes use of words like no, not, never, nothing and contraction verbs such as isn’t, wasn’t, shouldn’t etc. is said to be a negative sentence.
| Affirmative Sentence | Negative Sentence |
| The knife is blunt. | The knife is not sharp. |
| This is false. | This isn’t true. |
| All are to be seated. | No one is to be standing. |
Exercise 1: Identify the kind of sentence and add the correct punctuation mark.
1. Why do you believe that _________________
2. I want to know why you believe that _________________
3. Please accept my apology _________________
4. May god bless you _________________
5. The house is on fire _________________
6. When did you first notice that your arm hurts ______________
7. My doctor told me to take these tablets _________________
8. Ask Betty for the recipe _________________
9. I wish I win the lottery ________________
10. Pam, hand me your bag _________________
11. It’s hard to believe that this bag is made from paper _____________
12. There are more pins in the box _________________
13. We’re on the wrong train _________________
14. Will Patricia pause to place poached pickles on Paula’s pretty plate
15. I would watch a movie with her if I were you _________________
16. Mail her that letter right now _________________
17. Did you clean your room yet _________________
18. I pray that you do well in life __________________
19. May I borrow your phone _________________
20. Pick up the paper and put it in the trash can _________________
Answer Key:
Exercise 1: Identify the kind of sentence and add the correct punctuation mark.
1. Why do you believe that? Interrogative Sentence
2. I want to know why you believe that. Assertive Sentence
3. Please accept my apology. Imperative Sentence
4. May god bless you. Imperative Sentence
5. The house is on fire! Exclamatory Sentence
6. When did you first notice that your arm hurts? Interrogative Sentence
7. My doctor told me to take these tablets. Assertive Sentence
8. Ask Betty for the recipe. Imperative Sentence
9. I wish I win the lottery. Assertive Sentence
10. Pam, hand me your bag. Imperative Sentence
11. It’s hard to believe that this bag is made from paper. Assertive Sentence
12. There are more pins in the box. Assertive Sentence
13. We’re on the wrong train! Exclamatory Sentence
14. Will Patricia pause to place poached pickles on Paula’s pretty plate? Interrogative Sentence
15. I would watch a movie with her if I were you. Assertive Sentence
16. Mail her that letter right now. Imperative Sentence
17. Did you clean your room yet? Interrogative Sentence
18. I pray that you do well in life. Imperative Sentence
19. May I borrow your phone. Imperative Sentence
20. Pick up the paper and put it in the trash can. Imperative Sentence