5th Class English Types of Sentence Kinds of Sentences

        Kinds of Sentences  

        Look at the following Sentences:

1.  I congratulated him on his performance in the annual exam.

2.  We need to be careful while walking on the road.

3.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the modern electronic gadgets?

4.  Who are you to interfere in my personal matter?

5.  I have told you several times to shut the door.

6.  He requested me to help him in his project so that he could submit it on time.

7.  Look at the warning which says not to take photographs.

8.  Hurrah! India secured second position in the Common Wealth Games

9.  What a great victory Indian team has registered against Australia!

10.  May you get a job soon?  

        The sentences given above show different expressions:

Sentences 1 and 2 express statements in general way.

Sentences 3 and 4 express questions.

Sentences 5, 6 and 7 express an order, a request or a prohibition.

Sentences 8 and 9 express happiness and surprise.

Sentences 10 express a wish or a desire.

On the basis of these expression a sentence can be divided into five kinds

1.  Statement                                  (Or Assertive Sentence)

2.  Question                                     (Or Interrogative Sentence)

3.  Command                                  (Or Imperative Sentence)

4.  Exclamation                               (Or Exclamatory Sentence)

5.  Optative                                      (Or Optative Sentence)      

        Statement-Assertive Sentence or declarative

A sentence that says or states something is called an assertive or declarative sentence. The sentence which simply state something is called a statement or an Assertive Sentence.  

•  An elephant is considered as the largest land animal.
•  Hard work always pays.
•  I have been threatened by him again and again.
•  People are always curious to know about the unknown facts.  

There are two types of statements.

(I)  Affirmative Statement

(II)  Negative Statement  

        Affirmative Statement

The sentence which affirms something is called an Affirmative Statement.

•  The President of the USA is going to visit India.
•  He intruded and attacked into the enemy camp.

These sentences affirm something. So, these are Affirmative Statements.  

        Negative Statement

The sentence which denies something is called o Negative Statement.

•  The President of the USA is not going to visit India.
•  He did not intrude and attack into the enemy camp.

These sentences deny something. So these are Negative Statements.  

        Question-Interrogative Sentence

A sentence that asks a question is called a question or an interrogative sentence.

•  Who has called us for the meeting?
•  Have you assigned the task to the boys?
•  Where could I find the right person who can accomplish the task successfully?
•  Why are you worried about it?

A question begins with either Helping Verb (is, am, are, was, were, has, have, had, do, doesdid, can, will, shall, may, etc.) or Question word (What, where, how, when, whom, which, why, etc.)

A question ends with a Question Mark (?) or Mark of interrogation.  

        Command-Imperative

Sentence A sentence that expresses a command, request or advice is called an imperative sentence.

•  Bring a glass of water.
•  Please make a cup of coffee for me.
•  You should work hard.
•  Don't overstress yourself.

The sentences given above express an order, a request, an advice and a prohibition. These are 'Commands'. A command has a hidden subject which remains in Second Person.

For Example: Come here, means 'You' come here.  

        Exclamation-Exclamatory Sentence

A sentence that expresses a strong feeling is called an exclamatory sentence.

•  Hurrah ! I have stood first in the class.
•  Alas ! The poor is getting poorer day by day.
•  What a pleasant surprise !
•  Bravo ! He has achieved the feat that no one has ever achieved.

The sentences given above express happiness, sorrow, surprise and admiration. These are sudden internal feeling of heart. These are Exclamations. A mark of Exclamation is (!) put after the exclamatory word or sentence.    

        Optative-Optative Sentence

The sentence which expresses wish, desire or pray is called an Optative Sentence.

•  May God bless the poor!
•  May this country be prosperous !
•  May the baby live long !
•  May God give wealth to him !
•  Wish you a very Happy New Year !

The sentences given above express desire or pray. These sentences are called an optative sentence.