JK Academy What is a sentence?
A set of words, arranged in a pre-determined order, so that they express a clear thought, is called a sentence.
We make use of sentences when we are speaking, reading or writing.
All sentences begin with a capital letter.
We punctuate the sentences by a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark at the end, depending on what the sentence is conveying.
Based on their purpose we classify the sentences in the following four types:
A) Assertive or Declarative Sentence
B) Interrogative Sentence
C) Exclamatory Sentence
D) Imperative Sentence
A) Assertive or Declarative Sentence:
When a sentence makes a statement and gives us information about a noun, is said to be an Assertive or Declarative Sentence.
An Assertive or declarative sentence always ends with a period or full stop. (.)
Example:
Reading helps gain knowledge.
A poisonous snake bit the boy.
This summer vacation my family is travelling to America.
B) Interrogative Sentence:
A sentence that asks a question or requests information is called an Interrogative sentence.
It always ends with a question mark. (?)
Interrogative Sentences are of four types:
1. Wh – questions: These are direct questions that begin with a wh word – How, What, When, Where, Why, Which, Who, Whose, Whom
Example:
How many eggs did the hen lay?
Why was the child crying?
Where is my book?
2. Yes – No questions: These are questions, for which the answer could be either a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’.
Example:
Did it rain yesterday in your town?
Is the teacher going to give us a test today?
Will you play with me?
3. Choice questions: These are questions that contain two or more alternatives or choices.
Example:
Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Should I call you Mr. Brown or Mr. Sam?
4. Question tags: These are questions where a tag question word is added at the end of a statement.
Tag question words are helping verbs followed by a pronoun.
Example:
Rita likes chocolates, doesn’t she?
The dog was barking all night, wasn’t it?
Yesterday, they weren’t at home, were they?
Rules for adding the tag:
An Affirmative statement carries a negative tag and
A negative statement carries an affirmative tag.
C. Exclamatory Sentence:
A sentence that conveys an excitement or emotion of the speaker is an Exclamatory sentence.
We use exclamation mark (!) at the end of the sentence.
Example:
What a pleasant surprise!
How clever you are!
We won the match!
If a sentence uses an interjection, we put the exclamation mark after it, followed by a declarative sentence.
D. Imperative Sentence:
A sentence that gives an order, command, request, suggestion, proposal or instructions is an Imperative Sentence.
An imperative sentence begins with a verb and ends with a period or full stop. (.)
Example:
Take a step forward. (order)
Let’s go for a walk. (suggestion)
Please get me a glass of water. (request)
Don’t go too close to the fire. (instruction)
Exercise 1: Identify each sentence below as declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.
1. Who was the first female astronaut? _______________________
2. Buckle your seatbelt even for short trips. _______________________
3. Please put the stamped envelopes in this box. _______________________
4. You must be joking! _______________________
5. What a thrill that ride was! _______________________
6. In 1776, there were fifty-three newspapers in London. ______________________
7. Who were the first people to use paper money? ______________________
8. Insert the diskette in this slot. _______________________
9. Insects outnumber people by millions to one. _______________________
10. What an amazing story that is! _______________________
Answer Key:
Exercise 1: Identify each sentence below as declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.
1. Who was the first female astronaut? Interrogative Sentence
2. Do not drink and drive even for short trips. Imperative Sentence
3. Please put the books in this box. Imperative Sentence
4. You must be joking! Exclamatory Sentence
5. What a great that ride was! Exclamatory Sentence
6. Ron has black hair and blue eyes. Assertive Sentence
7. Who were the first people to use paper money? Interrogative Sentence
8. Please read the instructions carefully. Imperative Sentence
9. Trisha’s new cat hid under the bed the whole day. Assertive Sentence
10. What an amazing story! Exclamatory Sentence