Grammar Basics: Types of Sentences By Usage and Grammar

A sentence is a building block of communication. It conveys a coherent and complete thought, idea, or emotion.

Sentences come in different types, each serving a unique function. Generally, sentences are categorized by their function and structure. Understanding these types can elevate your writing, making it more engaging and effective for your readers.

What is a sentence?

A sentence is a set of words that tells a complete thought. It allows you to deliver ideas, ask questions, give commands, and express emotions. It also typically contains a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a predicate (what the subject is doing or what is being done to the subject).

Types of Sentences by Function

Here are the four types of sentences categorized by their usage.

1. Declarative

A declarative sentence is, perhaps, the most standard sentence in the English language. It declares a fact, statement, opinion, explanation, or information.

Declarative sentences always end with a period or a full stop.

Lisa is the current spelling bee champion.
The sky is gray and cloudy.
There’s going to be a lot of people.
He wants to go to the mall today.

2. Interrogative

An interrogative sentence asks a question. They are used to request more information or clarify existing information. They usually start with pronouns or auxiliary verbs.

Interrogative sentences always end with a question mark.

Is Lisa the current spelling bee champion?
Does the sky look gray and cloudy?
Are there going to be a lot of people?
Does he want to go to the mall today?

However, in colloquial or casual speech, questions can start with the subject.

She did it again?
He said that?
This is the place, isn’t it?
They wanted to go, didn’t they?

The last two are examples of a tag question, where a small question is attached to the end of a sentence.

3. Imperative

An imperative sentence expresses a command, advice, instruction, or request. The subject is usually implied and often understood as the person the command is given to.

Imperative sentences usually end with a period. However, if there is a strong emotion being conveyed, an exclamation mark is used.

Please check your emails.
Listen to me!
Do the dishes before you go out.
Once your performance is done, immediately move to the back of the stage.

4. Exclamatory

An exclamatory sentence expresses a strong emotion such as joy, anger, shock, and amazement. It always ends with an exclamation point.

I ate sushi for the first time!
They won!
You scared the hell out of me!
Wow, you aced the exam!

Though it looks like a simple statement, an exclamatory sentence conveys a more dramatic or emphatic tone. The exclamation point acts as a signal for your reader to interpret it as so.

She did it.
She did it!

The first states a simple fact. The second one has an emotional connotation to it. The speaker might be shocked, amazed, or angry depending on context clues.

Types of Sentences by Structure

A sentence can also be classified by its structure—how many and what types of clauses it uses. A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a verb.

An independent clause can stand alone because it expresses a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot stand alone and must rely on an independent clause to form a complete sentence.

Here are the four ways they affect a sentence’s structure.

5. Simple

A simple sentence is the most basic type of sentence. It is made up of one independent clause, and no dependent clauses. It is the smallest grammatically correct sentence you can make.

She dances gracefully.
Ahmed is writing a letter.
The dog ran away.
People were singing.

However, a simple sentence can also have multiple subjects and verbs as long as they are part of the same independent clause. It will still express a single complete thought.

Ahmed and Fatima are writing a letter.
She sang and danced gracefully.
They laughed and cheered during the parade.
My sister and I are baking cookies.

6. Compound

A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses. There are no dependent clauses. The independent clauses are joined together by a semicolon or a comma paired with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

I like walking, but my husband prefers jogging.
She organized the party, and she created her guest list.
He is allergic to peanuts, so he avoids peanut butter.
She wanted to visit the museum; he preferred to explore the park.

The easiest way to identify a compound sentence is by breaking it into two sentences. They should both form a complete thought.

7. Complex

A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. These clauses are linked together by subordinating conjunctions (because, after, where, unless, etc.) Use a comma if the dependent clause comes first.

She took my keys while I was sleeping.
After the hurricane, he went straight to his parent’s house.
I’ll take it if you don’t want it.
Unless she finds it, I can’t do anything.

8. Compound-complex

A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

I went to the market, but I forgot to buy the flour that she needed.
After eating dinner, they went for a walk and saw a shooting star, but they weren’t able to take a photo of it.
She studied hard for the test, but she still felt nervous, so she asked her friend to quiz her, and she aced the test.
If he got the job, he would need to work on Saturdays, so he decided it wasn’t worth it.

Understanding Sentences

Knowing the types of sentences might be basic knowledge but it’s easy to get tripped up when using them. It’s how run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and incorrect punctuation happen.

It’s not just about correct grammar and clarity. Long and short sentences, questions, and exclamations add rhythm and flow to your writing, making it more dynamic and engaging.

How do you use each type of sentence? Share them in the comments below!

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Cole Salao

Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!