Unit 2: Types of Sentences

1. The Four Kinds of Sentences

Sentences are the basic building blocks of writing. There are four main types of sentences, each with a specific purpose and end punctuation:

  • Declarative Sentence: Makes a statement or tells something. It ends with a period (.).
    Example: The train was late.
  • Interrogative Sentence: Asks a question. It ends with a question mark (?).
    Example: Where are you going?
  • Imperative Sentence: Gives a command, makes a request, or gives directions. It ends with a period (.) or an exclamation point (!). The subject is usually the understood “you”.
    Example: Please help me with this assignment.
  • Exclamatory Sentence: Expresses strong feeling or emotion. It ends with an exclamation point (!).
    Example: What a challenge that would be!

2. AdvancedNote: Indirect Questions & Tone

Sometimes a sentence talks about a question without actually asking one. This is called an indirect question. Indirect questions are declarative sentences and end with a period, not a question mark.

  • Direct: Who painted the Mona Lisa?
  • Indirect: Abby asked me who painted the Mona Lisa.

Also, punctuation changes the tone. An imperative sentence can become exclamatory if said with force (e.g., “Stop that thief!”).

Exercise 1: Identifying Sentence Types

Read the following sentences.Write D for Declarative, INT for Interrogative, IMP for Imperative, or E for Exclamatory.

  1. Where have you been all morning? ______
  2. Please don’t stay out too late tonight. ______
  3. Ouch! That bee sting hurts! ______
  4. We are taking a vacation to Hawaii next year. ______
  5. Take your feet off the table immediately. ______
  6. Never take chances on a climb. ______
  7. How would you like to climb the summit? ______
  8. It is crucial to take care of your equipment. ______

Exercise 2: Adding End Punctuation

Add the correct end punctuation (. ? or !) to each sentence.

  1. On his trip, Mark has to do geometry problems ______
  2. Does anyone know how it feels to be facing the mountain ______
  3. Pay attention and do some work, Mark ______
  4. How tiring it is to concentrate______
  5. Will you get back to the base camp by tomorrow ______
  6. My neighbor gave me a ride to school ______
  7. Take the cat off the counter ______
  8. What a beautiful sight that is ______

Exercise 3:Classifying by Purpose

Identify the purpose of each sentence: Statement, Question, Command, or Exclamation.

  1. The audience listened to the bagpipes. ______
  2. What kind of games did pioneers like to play? ______
  3. Please pass me the pepper. ______
  4. I’ve won three chess games in a row! ______
  5. Cut the cheese carefully. ______
  6. Who is sitting on that bench? ______
  7. Practice makes perfect. ______
  8. Wow, he can really run fast! ______

Exercise 4: The Understood Subject

Imperative sentences often leave out the subject “You”. Write (You) if the subject is understood, or write the actual subject if it is visible.

  1. Clean your room right now. Subject: ______
  2. The dog ran across the street. Subject: ______
  3. Please bring your books to class. Subject: ______
  4. Look out for that fly ball! Subject: ______
  5. Jason, please don’t interrupt. Subject: ______
  6. Open the box carefully. Subject: ______
  7. Turn left at that house. Subject: ______
  8. Stop talking loudly! Subject: ______

Exercise 5: Sentence Transformation

Rewrite the following declarative sentences as interrogative sentences (questions).

  1. Pvt Garcia eats breakfast every day. ________________________
  2. Hank gets up at 6:00 every morning. ________________________
  3. The bus goes to our school. ________________________
  4. It is very hot today. ________________________
  5. The cow is a domestic animal. ________________________
  6. Mr. Kapil teaches us English. ________________________
  7. The patient is feeling better today. ________________________
  8. Chinky knows Shalu. ________________________

Exercise 6:True or False

Determine if the following grammar rules are True (T) or False (F).

  1. A declarative sentence always ends with a question mark. ______
  2. An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request. ______
  3. Exclamatory sentences express strong emotion. ______
  4. The subject of an imperative sentence is usually “I”. ______
  5. Interrogative sentences asks a question. ______
  6. A period is never used for abbreviations. ______
  7. Indirect questions end with a question mark. ______
  8. “Stop that thief!” is an example of an exclamatory command. ______
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