Declarative, Exclamatory, Imperative, and Interrogative Sentences

We learned that punctuation is important for good sentences. Punctuation is especially important to show when a sentence ends. However, there are different choices to end a sentence: a period or full stop, a question mark (!), or a question mark (?). We make this choice based on the type of sentence.

We learned that punctuation is important for good sentences. Punctuation is especially important to show when a sentence ends. However, there are different choices to end a sentence: a period or full stop, a question mark (!), or a question mark (?). We make this choice based on the type of sentence.

Sentences fall into the following four types based on their functions or the jobs that they do:


1. Declarative Sentences are used to communicate information or make statements.

  • A college education is important for a successful career.

2. Interrogative Sentences are used to ask questions.

  • Do you go to college?

3. Imperative Sentences are used to give orders or directives.

  • Complete your sentence and stop writing.

4. Exclamatory Sentences take declarative sentences one step further: they make statements that are charged with emotion. The signal that the sentence is exclamatory is the exclamation point at the end!

  • I can't believe that I got an A!


Source:

Text about types of sentences by function adapted from GPRC Learning Commons, https://libguides.gprc.ab.ca/writing/revising
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Video: Mr. P, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIomf_TQU2g
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.