Kinds of sentences
Tell statements, questions, commands, wishes and exclamations apart.
You already speak in sentences all day. In this lesson you will learn to sort them into five kinds by the job each one does.
A sentence is a group of words that makes complete sense, and its kind depends on whether it tells, asks, orders, wishes or exclaims.
Examples
- The library opens at nine. (assertive)
- Where did you keep my umbrella? (interrogative)
- Please switch off the fan. (imperative)
- May your new shop do well! (optative)
- How tall this building is! (exclamatory)
How it works
Assertive: it tells
An assertive sentence states a fact or an opinion. It can be positive or negative and ends with a full stop.
Rahim does not drink tea.
Interrogative: it asks
An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark. It often begins with a helping verb (do, is, can, have) or a question word (who, what, why).
Can your sister drive a scooter?
Imperative: it orders or requests
An imperative sentence gives a command, an instruction, advice or a polite request. The subject you is usually left out.
Keep your phone on silent during the meeting.
Optative and exclamatory: wishes and feelings
An optative sentence expresses a wish or blessing, often starting with May. An exclamatory sentence shows surprise, joy or sorrow, often starting with What or How, and ends with !
What a long queue it is!
Quick reference
| Kind | Job | End mark | Typical start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assertive | states something | . | subject (Ravi, The bus …) |
| Interrogative | asks something | ? | helping verb or wh-word |
| Imperative | orders or requests | . (or !) | base verb or Please |
| Optative | expresses a wish | ! | May … |
| Exclamatory | shows strong feeling | ! | What a … / How … |
Common mistakes
✕How kind your neighbour is?
✓How kind your neighbour is!
The subject comes before the verb, so this shows feeling, not a question.
✕Where you are going?
✓Where are you going?
In a question the helping verb comes before the subject.
✕Does she sings well?
✓Does she sing well?
After does, use the base form of the verb.
Quick check
Name the kind of each sentence.
The shop closes early on Sundays.
Assertive
Is the doctor in her clinic today?
Interrogative
Do not touch the wet paint.
Imperative (a command)
May God bless the newly married couple!
Optative (a wish beginning with May)
What a lovely garden you have!
Exclamatory (strong feeling, What a …!)
Use it in your writing
Mix your sentence kinds to keep writing lively, but use exclamations rarely in formal work. In emails, a polite imperative or a question often sounds better than a bare order.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| Send me the report. | Could you please send me the report by Monday? |
| This is very, very good!!! | This is excellent work. |
| You will come tomorrow? | Will you be able to come tomorrow? |
Practice
Practise kinds of sentences
7 exercises that get harder as you go: Easy Medium Hard