Let’s Get to the Essence of Types of Sentences

A sentence is basically a combination of phrases that convey a particular meaning. In the speech flow, we use various types of sentences for different purposes, but sometimes we fail to render the message correctly. To avoid it, it is necessary to know the patterns of use.

Let’s find out the difference

From the very beginning of our studying journey, we are told to use the language properly. By the proper use of our parents and them, teachers mean the appropriate exploitation of rules and laws that any language pertains to. This is punctuation, grammar, and, definitely, the structure of the sentences that we should use correctly. By using the language properly, we achieve the main goal of communication, which is the coherent delivery of our thoughts and feelings. When we know how to put our thoughts into words and frame them into the sentences, we can help our interlocutors comprehend the train of our thought. Being aware of proper word constructions and phrases can contribute to your communication skills and enhance your interactions with others, as when you render your opinion in a simple and understandable manner, people next to you want to listen to what you say. Moreover, when you know the basic rules, you can use relevant tones, and thus the necessity of grammar checkers disappears. The way you speak and put your sentences into a piece of paper can be challenging and can even confuse the reader if you misuse the punctuation. It harms the readability and spoils the impression of the message. Thus, to look professional and let other people enjoy your speech, you should know four main types of sentences that are commonly used by the speakers.

The first type is called a declarative sentence. This type of utterance is supposed to express simple and regular statements. Usually, these sentences constitute the most significant part of our speech as they aim at conveying basic thoughts and reflections of humans. The second type is called an exclamatory sentence. As you can conclude from its name, the purpose of the sentence is to show exclamation. These are very expressive sentences with vivid emotional connotations. Another type of sentence is an imperative sentence that seeks to give commands. Finally, we move to the last sentence type, which is an interrogative sentence. Nevertheless, it has quite a curious name; it represents simple questions that are commonly used by every speaker and writer. Now, let us elaborate on the topic and discuss in detail specific patterns of each type of sentence and how these may function in the flow of speech.

Find out what these sentences are all about

Declarative or Statement sentence

With the help of these sentences, you can express basic information and state it neutrally. These types of sentences are specially designed to help the reader or writer express a thought in an emotionless manner. Moreover, use declarative type to demonstrate others your personal opinion. With an abundance of researches in the field, we can claim that these utterances are used more frequently than the other three types. You will meet statement sentences in most speeches and writings of academic papers, as they denote straight connotation and are more or less neutral. To denote the end of the sentence, make sure to put a period when you are done with your thought.

Examples:

• The most academically responsible students failed to pass the test on the subject matter since the difficulty of the tasks was enormous.
• My wife prefers cooking breakfast on her own, rather than ordering it from a cafe or cafeteria.
• To complete the project, the developer is in a great need for new information resources.

Exclamatory sentences

This type has been widely used to show that a speaker is excited about something and want to show it. Thus, we now use exclamatory sentences to convey our expressiveness and the feelings that we are baffled with. It can be a completely different spectrum of emotions. A person using explanatory sentences may either be happy, angry, desperate, or furious. For every type of emotion in its exaggerated form, you should use exclamatory sentences. Whether it be happiness, anger, desperation, or disbelief, you need to put an exclamation point at the end of the sentence. Usually, the use of exclamatory sentences is restricted to regular colloquial speech. However, you can rarely resort to exclamatory sentences informal or highly objective academic writings. The key lies in learning how to strike a balance.

Examples:

• I have been preparing for the test for a few weeks, and today I have got the highest grades for my test paper!
• I didn’t expect this movie to be so mind-boggling and spectacular!
• I can’t believe she told you the truth!

Imperative or Command sentences

When you need to give another person instruction on how to manage a process or activity, you should use imperative sentences. They are meant to demonstrate the command and give the listener or reader an understanding that he or she is given a demand. In most cases, you should end up the sentence with a simple period. However, when you need to perform extreme emotionality, you should take advantage of exclamation marks. It depends merely on the message you want to convey. Feel free to use it either in a positive or negative connotation.

Examples:

• Never stop with your writing until you reach the desired results!
• Never speak to me in that way!
• Please be so kind as to leave your shoes outside of the dining room.

Interrogative or Question sentences

This is another sentence type, and it is a concluding one on our list. We have put it in the end as it is the easiest to understand. As you can see from the name of the sentence, it helps to pose the questions in the flow of speech. The most obvious way to denote the type of sentence is to put a question mark when you are done with delivering the message. Keep it in mind that you should be really careful when using interrogative sentences in your texts. There are too many rules to pose the question in the correct way. Thus, if you are uncertain about your language competencies, you should check such sentences for mistakes. Observe correct word order, as if you fail with the structure of the sentence, you will confuse the reader.

Examples:

• Could you please tell me when I can visit your performance to make a news report for the local TV?
• Can you tell us a bit more about an adverb and its functions in terms of the grammatical aspect of the language?
• How long have you been working on such an impressive project?

Find out the peculiar cases for using each sentence type.

When you decide to use declarative sentences, you tell the reader that your writing is purposeful and directed at a particular goal. The reader then comprehends what you want to convey and tries to commit herself or himself to the reading. Declarative sentences help others understand the importance of the topic discussed. This type of sentence is a versatile one. You are not restricted to use it only in some formal speeches or merely in poetical literary works. These sentences are used everywhere from creative pieces of writing, like literary analysis essays, to every other paper of formal writing. The best way to demonstrate hard facts to the target audience is to use declarative sentences, as they help to relay information in a simple and understandable manner.

With the help of exclamatory sentences, the reader will understand your current mood and the tone of the writing. In this way, you relate your emotions to the writing and make it more interesting. These sentences are commonly used in social media, as they convey a great level of emotionality, and it helps to raise interest in readers. Exclamatory sentences can denote surprise or extreme excitement. If you want your readers to imagine something, exclamatory sentences are just exactly what you need. However, be careful not to overuse this type in your speech. Otherwise, your writing will look quite amateurish.

Make sure to use imperative types of sentences if you need to give a command or some instructions. This way, the reader will understand the need to act in accordance with what is written on the paper. In some cases, the use of imperative sentences may look rude to the reader. Thus, to mild the tension, you should resort to such words as “please,” “do,” or “just” at the very beginning of your utterance. When you insert some words that convey a more polite mood, you make your command or requirement sound less strict.

At this point, you have already discovered the purpose of interrogative sentences. You know that these are used to ask questions. Questions are crucial for our communication, as they help avoid confusion and make the understanding between two or more people better. Try to omit using indirect questions. If you tell your interlocutor, “I was curious to know whether you want to go for a walk or not,” he can misread the message. On the other hand, when you ask directly, “Do you want to go for a walk with me?”, the question will look more definite and understandable.

It’s time to test your knowledge of the topic

Your task now is to read the examples below and find out the type of each sentence.

1. Don’t you think that the teacher will give us a homework test in today’s class?
2. Please, be sure to read the chapter till the end.
3. He managed to win the game.
4. Close the window now.
5. I have already completed all the additional tasks that a professor has given me on a previous day.
6. Our journey was so mind-blowing!
7. What was the reason for entering this university?
8. What a perfect picture you have on the wall!
9. Peanuts are healthier than other snacks.
10. Make sure to wash your face twice a day.

Let’s figure out the answers and see whether you coped with the task.

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

When you insert various types of sentences in the text, you make it more ear-candy and interesting to read. Introducing different types of sentences helps to prevent the speech or to write to be monotonous. You can also use these rules when you are writing poetry, but in this case, mind the punctuation. Interrogative sentences will help you to catch the attention of the reader and hook the audience. The paragraphs in the text will flow naturally if you garnish the text with different sentence types.

Whether you resort to the formal writing of an analytical essay or you are assigned to create some fiction work, you should mind the rules and understand where the use of peculiar sentences will be to the point. Observe the relevance of the sentences and mind correct structure, and then your text will be flawless.