As we all know, sentences are used to communicate information, opinion, thoughts, and ideas. We use varied sentences in our daily conversations. Do you know there are different types of sentences? Sentences are categorised based on function and structure. We will learn sentences and their types with examples in detail.
Meaning of a Sentence
A sentence is a cluster of words that contains a subject, verb, and object. It begins with a capital letter {articles (a, an, the), noun, helping verbs, and ends with a full stop or we can say period(.), question mark(?), or exclamation mark(!)}.
What are the different types of sentences?
Sentences are classified based on function and structure. As there are 4 types of sentences, each in function and structure. We found 4 types of sentences on the basis of function, such as declarative, imperative, interrogative and exclamatory sentences; and 4 kinds of sentences according to structure, such as simple, complex, compound and compound-complex sentences. Now, we will discuss these 8 sentences here.
Types of Sentences on the basis of function
1. Declarative Sentence
A sentence that conveys information about something or someone, and cites facts. It ends with a full stop(.)
Examples of the declarative sentence (facts and information):
| Facts | Information |
|---|---|
| a. Sun rises from the east. | a. My cat is playing with yarn. |
| b. There are 3 hearts in Octopus. | b. He loves to play guitar. |
| c. Femur is the largest bone in the human body | c. Our Class timings will be changing from tomorrow. |
| d. Mercury is the hottest planet in the solar system. | d. They brought an injured dog into their house |
2. Imperative Sentence
The sentence is used to give a command(order) or request (saying politely for someone to do something).
Examples of Imperative sentences:
| Command | Request |
|---|---|
| Go catch the thief. | Please switch off the light. |
| Give me a printout of the bill. | Please give me an extension to pay the rent. |
| Do my assignment. | Please help me complete this project. |
| Shut down the computer before 5 o’clock. | Please reduce the volume of the loudspeaker. |
| Bring me a glass of water. | Please donate the books to help children. |
3. Interrogative Sentence
The sentence is used to ask a query. Whenever we have any doubt about something and want reasoning or an answer, we ask a question, which is an interrogative sentence. It always ends with a question mark (?).
Example of interrogative sentences:
- Can you give me a piece of cake?
- What is the deadline for project submission?
- How did you score so well in the exam despite sickness?
- When are you planning to visit Kerala?
- Why are you not opting for this course?
4. Exclamatory Sentence
The sentence is used to convey strong feelings and excitement. It always ends with an exclamation mark (!).
Example of exclamatory sentences:
- What a marvellous painting!
- What dirty shoes she has!
- Wow! This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.
- Yippie! I got the first position in my class.
- What pretty eyes she has!
Types of Sentences on the basis of structure
1. Simple Sentence
A simple sentence is a sentence that is driven by the exquisite combination of subject and finite verb, or specifically, a sentence that embodies only one independent clause with subject and predicate.
Examples of Simple Sentences:
- He will finish his day-to-day errands at weekends.
- She is listing the handcrafted products on e-commerce platforms.
- Mike invested 40% of his salary in mutual funds.
- My team has transcribed the whole document without any errors.
2. Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is a sentence that merges two or more independent clauses and coordinating conjunctions (such as “and, but, so, for, yet, nor, or.”)
Examples of Compound sentences:
- He didn’t complete his homework, drenched in the rain and got cold.
- She overexerted the whole limit of earned leave this year, yet she delivered the projects before the deadline and received an appreciation award for her professional relationship with clients.
- That restaurant served top-notch quality food, yet they were not the number one in town.
- Her passion is singing but she is making her career in banking.
3. Complex Sentence
A complex sentence is a sentence that combines an independent clause with at least one or more dependent clauses by subordinating conjunctions (such as “although, because, if, while, who, when, whoever, unless, until, because, since, etc.”) or by a comma.
Examples of Complex sentences:
- Natalie is the girl who took care of an injured bird.
- If he does eye exercises regularly, his eyesight will improve.
- If it’s raining cats and dogs like this tomorrow, we will cancel our trip.
- While teaching, a teacher needs to follow a student-centric strategy.
- She acted so convincingly that everyone thought it was real.
4. Compound-Complex Sentence
A Compound-Complex sentence forms when at least two independent clauses merge with at least one dependent clause by coordinating conjunctions, a comma, a semicolon and subordinating conjunctions.
Examples of Compound-Complex sentence:
- I bought a board game for my niece; however, she broke the toy a few days later.
- She prepared the presentation and forgot to save it before shutting down the laptop.
- I invited my friends for dinner and cooked scrumptious meals, but they didn’t come.
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