Writing 101: Types of Declarative Sentences With Examples
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Sep 13, 2021 • 2 min read
There are four types of sentences in the English language: declarative, exclamatory, imperative, and interrogatory. Of the four, the declarative sentence is the most commonly used.
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What Is a Declarative Sentence?
In English grammar, a declarative sentence is a sentence that makes a statement, provides a fact, offers an explanation, or conveys information. These types of sentences are also known as declarative statements.
A declarative sentence is the most common type of sentence in the English language. It is written in the present tense and usually ends with a period. Normally, the subject comes before the verb.
What Are the Different Types of Declarative Sentences?
There are two different types of sentences in the declarative form: a simple declarative sentence and a compound declarative sentence.
1. A simple declarative sentence has a simple sentence structure, consisting of a subject and a predicate. Examples of declarative sentences in the simple form include:
My dog is sick.
It is a nice day.
Pizza is the best.
Sam is smart.
2. A compound declarative sentence joins two related phrases with a comma and a conjunction (such as and, yet, or but). These phrases can also be united by a semicolon, which is sometimes accompanied by a transition word like besides, however, or therefore. Examples of declarative compound sentences include:
He wanted to go to the grocery store, but she wanted to go to the bar.
Lindsay plays the trumpet, and Alex plays the trombone.
Harrison loves to play outside, yet he hates the rain.
Her mind was blank; she couldn’t think of anything.
My dog is friendly; however, she will occasionally bite when she gets all riled up.
Declarative Sentences vs. Interrogative Sentences
Interrogative sentences ask a direct question, and are therefore punctuated by a question mark at the end of the sentence.
Sentence examples in the interrogative form include:
Who are you?
Where is the brown building?
Why were you so depressed yesterday?
Declarative Sentences vs. Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences are used to deliver an instruction, command, or request. Usually, these kinds of sentences will end in a period, although they occasionally use an exclamation point. Examples of these sentence types include:
Pass the butter.
Get out of my face!
Wait for the light to turn green.
Declarative Sentences vs. Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences make statements that express strong feeling or strong emotion. You can usually identify exclamatory sentences by their punctuation mark; all exclamatory sentences end with an exclamation mark, full stop. Examples of exclamatory sentences include:
What an amazing sunset!
I hate your guts!
That’s such a beautiful wedding ring!
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