Communicative types of sentences

In our everyday communication we usually speak in sentences. Using a variety of sentences in your speaking and writing will add interest and help you to get your ideas across effectively.

It often takes a lot of practice to figure out the correct word order in sentences and start implementing the rules in your speech. This is because the word order in English is usually rigid and cannot be changed. Otherwise, you will either communicate a totally different meaning or sound a bit awkward.

So, today in the lesson we will:

● learn the definition of the term “a sentence”;

● talk about the communicative types of sentences in English;

And

● put the knowledge into practice.

A sentence is a set of grammatically arranged words that conveys a meaningful message. Most sentences contain a subject and a verb. In written English sentences begin with a capital letter and end with a full stop, a question mark or an exclamation mark.

Look at the examples:

I read books to my children.

Have you already posted the letter?

Take out the garbage!

(As you can see, the first sentence ends with a full stop. The second ends with a question mark. And the third sentence ends with an exclamation mark. Also, all the sentences begin with capital letters.)

We can use sentences to state our opinion, ask a question or even show our surprise and give a command. According to their role in the process of communication, sentences are divided into 4 types:

Declarative sentences

For example:

The weather is lovely today.

Interrogative sentences

For instance:

Do you like playing basketball?

Imperative sentences

For example:

Mum, throw the ball to me.

Exclamatory sentences

For instance:

How beautiful her voice is!

(Now let’s talk about each of these types in detail.)

Let’s start with declarative sentences.

A declarative sentence is the most basic type of sentences. It expresses an opinion or simply makes a statement, which gives the reader or the listener some information about various events, activities or attitudes, thoughts or feelings. Declarative sentences can be positive (or affirmative) and negative.

For instance:

I have just come from a business trip. (It’s a positive sentence.)

I haven’t seen my sister yet. (It’s a negative sentence.)

Grammatically, declarative sentences are characterized by the direct order of words. They can also use all tenses.

For example:

He wants to eat cookies, but he doesn’t know how to make them.

Brianna ordered a latte when she got to the coffee shop.

(As you can see, both of these declarative sentences have the direct order of words.)

Declarative sentences can be emphasized by the auxiliary verbs “do”, “does”, “did”, which we put in front of the base form of the verb.

Look at the examples:

My parents do feel sorry for Roger.

She does want to come over now.

Jason, I did give you the money.

The following type of sentences is:

Interrogative sentences

An interrogative sentence is a type of sentences that asks a question. It usually ends with a question mark. The communicative function of interrogative sentences consists in asking for information.

For instance:

Can you call me when it’s time to go?

You don’t know French, do you?

Grammatically, interrogative sentences are characterized by the indirect order of words. It means that the subject and the verb swap places.

Look at the examples and compare them:

We are the people you are looking for.

(It’s an affirmative sentence, where the verb follows the subject. It means that the order of the words in this sentence is direct.)

Are we the people you are looking for?

(It’s an interrogative sentence, where the subject follows the verb. It means that the order of the words in this sentence is indirect.)

Interrogative sentences can also use all tenses.

There are different types of interrogative sentences (or questions) in the English language. And they are:

General questions

(We use them when we don’t need more information. They are characterized by the rising tone and can be answered either positively or negatively.)

For instance:

Are you in the kitchen now?

Special questions

(We use them when we want to get additional information. Special questions are formed with the help of question words or question phrases.)

For example:

What is your favourite colour?

Alternative questions

(They are formed with the help of the conjunction “or”. Alternative questions imply a choice between two or more alternative answers.)

For instance:

Do you like apple juice or orange juice?

Disjunctive questions

(We use them to check or confirm that we’ve understood something correctly. They consist of two parts. The first part is spoken with a falling intonation, the second part – with a rising intonation.)

For example:

You didn’t know I was an artist, did you?

Subject questions

(We use them when we want to know who is performing the action. Subject questions are formed with the help of the question words “who” and “what”.)

For instance:

Who wants a piece of chocolate cake?

Rhetorical questions

(They contain a statement disguised as a question. Usually no answer to the rhetorical question is expected.)

For example:

Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?

The third type of sentences is:

Imperative sentences

An imperative sentence is a type of sentences that is used to express a command or instruction, to make a request or offer advice. These sentences usually end with a full stop, but some of the more forceful demands may end in an exclamation mark to highlight the emotion.

For instance:

Get your hands up. (It’s a command.)

Turn left at the end of the corridor. (It’s an instruction.)

Close the window, please. (It’s a request.)

Don’t be afraid of them. (It’s a piece of advice.)

Stop bothering me! (It’s a forceful demand, that’s why there is an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence.)

Imperative sentences may also express a prohibition or persuasion, give an invitation or warning.

For example:

Don’t cross the street before the light turns to green. (It’s a prohibition.)

Don’t worry about it! (It’s a persuasion.)

Please come with me for dinner. (It’s an invitation.)

Don’t allow children to play with matches. (It’s a warning.)

You can identify an imperative sentence because it appears to be missing a subject. However, the command of each imperative is directed at you, making these sentences second-person.

The fourth type of sentences is:

Exclamatory sentences

An exclamatory sentence is a type of sentences that expresses a strong emotion. It can be a surprise, a shock or even anger.

For instance:

Wow, he has just won a gold medal!

I’m utterly shocked!

You are such a liar!

Pay attention! When listening, you can identify an exclamatory sentence right away. The tone of the person’s voice will indicate it. But in writing you need to use the exclamation mark.

For example:

What a cute baby!

She is so beautiful!

What a delicious cake!

(As you can see, all of these sentences end with an exclamation mark.)

Exclamatory sentences are often used in casual conversation and in written dialogue to show emotion, but they are not typically useful in academic or expository writing. In these more serious works it’s better to make your point with well-written declarative sentences instead.

We’ve talked about 4 communicative types of sentences in English. Now…

Match the two parts of the sentences!

Let’s check the right answers!

An imperative sentence is… a type of sentences that is used to express a command or instruction, to make a request or offer advice.

An exclamatory sentence is… a type of sentences that expresses a strong emotion. It can be a surprise, a shock or even anger.

A declarative sentence… expresses an opinion or makes a statement, which gives the reader or the listener some information about various events, thoughts, etc.

An interrogative sentence is… a type of sentences that asks a question and ends with a question mark.

Now…

Read the sentences below. Highlight the declarative sentences in green, the interrogative sentences in purple, the imperative sentences in blue and the exclamatory sentences in pink!

Let’s check the right answers!

The declarative sentences are:

She is my best friend.

The weather is lovely today.

My mom cooks delicious food.

The interrogative sentences are:

Where is my car?

Have you ever been to New York?

Who painted this beautiful picture?

The imperative sentences are:

Close the window, please.

Do your homework.

Speak louder, please.

The exclamatory sentences are:

Wow! The puppy is so cute!

There is a snake in the backyard!

Wait, that bridge is rotten!

That’s all for now! In conclusion, I would like to say that your writing will benefit from a clear understanding and correct usage of all four types of sentences. They will help you make your point clear and avoid mixed messages in your writing.