Four types of sentences and how to use them

Communication is a complex process that requires a lot of knowledge and skills. People who want to express their ideas clearly should be able to use different types of sentences. It is the only way to make the speech much more informative, appealing, interesting, and relevant.

How many sentence types are there in the English language? What are the functions and features of each one of them? How can a student choose the necessary type fast? Once you find answers to these questions, you can improve your speaking and writing skills, making your style much more eloquent and colorful.

How many types of sentences are there?

Talking about the four types of sentences in English, we will not be precise, as there are eight. At the same time, it is fundamental to mention that they are categorized by structure and function. Thus, there are four different types of sentences in each category. An important note: the categories are not mutually exclusive, which means that a declarative sentence can be simple, and an interrogative can be complex.

Do you want to learn more about eight basic types of sentences, their features, structure, punctuation, and other details? Keep reading for more details that will advance your communication and writing skills to an exceptionally new level.

4 types of sentences according to function

Analyzing the four types of sentences based on their function, it is indispensable to emphasize a declarative, imperative, exclamatory, and interrogative one. Each sentence type has its peculiarities, aims, specifications of use, and other elements that help it fulfill its functions. Check out the detailed information about all 4 types of sentences with examples.

• Declarative. These are the sentences which help to start the conversation, maintain it, or finish. In fact, declarative sentences are universal, as they state facts, opinions, explanations, or observations. There is no emotional element in these kinds of sentences and they always end with a period. “He went to the cinema with his friends, but none of them liked the movie” is a great declarative sentence example.

• Imperative. Commands, advice, and instructions are called imperative sentences. They are used to give directions or make someone do something. For example, “Marry, sweep the floor right now”, or “Please, share your notes with me via email.”

• Exclamatory. Emotional appeal is an important element that makes this type of sentence different from a declarative one. They emphasize the emotion or urgency. “Oh, I ate a snail!”

• Interrogative. This type of sentence is more known as questions. It is used to request extra information about a specific matter. They can be tricky, as there are instances when the verb is used before the subject or an auxiliary verb takes the first position. “Is there any bread left in the fridge?” “Has anyone seen Mark today?” are the simplest examples of interrogative sentences.

4 types of sentences according to structure

Once you know how to take advantage of different types of sentences based on their function, it is the right time to proceed to the next stage. The next classification of the sentences is based on their structure. Depending on the type and number of clauses, the sentences can vary a lot. At this point, it is critical to discover the discrepancy between the independent and dependent clauses, which will predetermine the sentence structure.

In general, there are four types of sentence structure, including simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Keep reading to get more information about these types of sentences with examples and get an opportunity to use them freely in your everyday speech and academic writing.

• Simple sentences are the most basic. They consist of one independent clause. Still, it is indispensable to be attentive to this type of sentence, as it may have numerous subjects or predicates. Check out a few great examples of simple sentences: “Mike and I play football every Tuesday,” “Who remembers Cally from my previous school?”

• Compound sentences contain more than one independent clause, which are joined together using the coordinating conjunction or semicolon. There are lots of sentence types examples that will help you understand their peculiarities. “We were looking for fast food, but our mom cooked a sophisticated meal instead,” or “The sky became gray; lightning hit the ground.
  Complex sentences are confusing for a lot of people. These sentences use subordinate clauses, which means that one part of the sentence depends on another one. Subordinate conjunctions, such as while, if, or because, may help identify the necessary sentence type. “When I was young, I used to play football well.”

• Compound-complex sentences combine both types. In short, they include both a subordinate clause and more than a single independent clause. “Say goodbye to everyone, and then we will drive back home before it is too late.”

When to use different types of sentences

Talking about four sentence types, we usually mean the ones that differ in their functions. Thus, they are declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Knowing when to use each of the types can be beneficial for students who want to make their conversations more effective and beneficial. Using all types of sentences in everyday speech, as well as academic writing, can advance the quality of the communication and help keep the interlocutors interested in each message.

To understand when to use a specific sentence type, students should be aware of the purpose of the speech first, and of the meaning of the sentence type, second.

• Declarative sentences are mainly used in general statements, as their idea is to inform the audience. This type of sentence does not have an emotional appeal and is barely aimed at sharing facts. Such sentences are effective for everyday conversations and are also the basis for academic texts.

• Interrogative sentences are questions. They are used to get more information on a specific matter and presuppose a response. Interrogative sentences can also be used in a writing speech, but mainly as writing instruments to keep the paper more appealing and interesting to read.

• Imperative. What type of sentence is this? As the name implies, this type of sentence is about giving instructions and orders. They are rarely used in academic papers, unless expressing the direct speech.

• Exclamatory sentences are used to emphasize emotions. They can vary a lot, but the objective is to capture attention. In most instances, this type of sentences is used in direct speech, between two people sharing information. Nonetheless, there are lots of instances when such sentences are used in literary works to highlight valuable information.

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Conclusion

Regardless of the writing project you are working on, there are 4 types of sentences you can use. Well, those who read the above-mentioned information carefully should also know about two basic aspects that differentiate sentences. Thus, there is a division based on function and structure. Experience, effort, and hard work are needed for students who strive to learn all the sentence types and use them in the papers. A more structured, concise, and eloquent text will become the result of the struggles.

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