Learn to identify and construct the four main types of sentences: Assertive, Interrogative, Imperative, and Exclamatory. Understand their purpose, structure, and punctuation rules.
✅ Recommended for: Class 6-7 (Foundation) | Class 8-10 (Review)
1. What Are Sentence Types?
Sentence: A group of words that expresses a complete thought, contains a subject and predicate, and begins with a capital letter and ends with proper punctuation.
Four Main Types: Based on the purpose or function of the sentence: 1. Assertive 2. Interrogative 3. Imperative 4. Exclamatory
| Type | Purpose/Function | Key Identifier | Ending Punctuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assertive/Declarative | Makes a statement or declares something | States facts, opinions, or information | Period (.) |
| Interrogative | Asks a question | Question words (What, Where, Why, etc.) or helping verb first | Question Mark (?) |
| Imperative | Gives a command, request, or instruction | Often starts with a verb, subject (you) is usually hidden | Period (.) or Exclamation (!) |
| Exclamatory | Expresses strong emotion or feeling | Words like "What", "How" at beginning, or strong emotion words | Exclamation Mark (!) |
2. Assertive/Declarative Sentences
| Sub-type | Structure | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + Verb + ... | The sun rises in the east. Rahul plays cricket every day. She is a talented singer. |
States something positively |
| Negative | Subject + do/does/did + not + Verb + ... OR Subject + is/am/are/was/were + not + ... |
The sun does not set in the east. Rahul does not play football. She is not a dancer. |
States something negatively |
| Pattern | Most common sentence type Subject comes before verb |
Birds fly. Water boils at 100°C. My father works in a bank. |
Used for facts, opinions, statements |
3. Interrogative Sentences
| Question Type | Structure | Examples | Answer Expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes/No Questions | Helping Verb + Subject + Main Verb + ...? | Are you coming to the party? Do they like pizza? Has she finished her homework? |
Yes or No |
| Wh- Questions | Wh-word + Helping Verb + Subject + Main Verb + ...? | What is your name? Where do you live? Why are you crying? |
Information (not just yes/no) |
| Choice Questions | Option A + or + Option B + ? | Do you want tea or coffee? Is it Monday or Tuesday? Will you go by bus or train? |
Choice between options |
| Tag Questions | Statement + , + opposite tag + ? | You are coming, aren't you? She doesn't like apples, does she? It's raining, isn't it? |
Confirmation/Agreement |
4. Imperative Sentences
| Purpose | Structure | Examples | Politeness Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Command/Order | Verb + Object/Complement (Subject 'You' hidden) | Close the door. Stop talking. Complete your assignment. |
Direct, authoritative |
| Request | Please + Verb + ... OR Verb + ..., please |
Please help me. Pass the salt, please. Kindly wait for your turn. |
Polite |
| Instruction | Verb + ... (step-by-step) | Add two cups of water. Turn left at the signal. Mix the ingredients well. |
Neutral, informative |
| Advice/Suggestion | Always/Never + Verb + ... OR Verb + ... |
Always speak the truth. Never tell lies. Take rest if you are tired. |
Helpful, guiding |
| Invitation | Let's + Verb + ... OR Do + Verb + ... |
Let's go for a walk. Do join us for dinner. Please attend the function. |
Welcoming |
5. Exclamatory Sentences
| Emotion Expressed | Structure Patterns | Examples | Key Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surprise/Wonder | What + (a/an) + Adjective + Noun + ! How + Adjective/Adverb + ! |
What a beautiful sunset! How amazing! What an idea! |
What, How, Amazing, Wonderful |
| Happiness/Joy | Exclamation word/emotion + ! | Hurray! We won the match! Wow! What a gift! Yippee! It's a holiday! |
Hurray, Wow, Yippee, Excellent |
| Sadness/Pain | Exclamation + Statement | Alas! He failed the exam. Oh no! I lost my purse. Ouch! That hurt! |
Alas, Oh no, Ouch, Sorry |
| Anger/Frustration | Strong emotion words + ! | Stop it! How dare you! I hate this! |
Stop, Dare, Hate, Terrible |
| Fear/Shock | Exclamation + ! | Help! Fire! Watch out! |
Help, Fire, Watch out, Danger |
6. Punctuation Rules for Each Type
| Sentence Type | Correct Punctuation | Incorrect Examples | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assertive | Period (.) only | The cat is sleeping? The cat is sleeping! |
Always ends with period |
| Interrogative | Question Mark (?) | Where are you going. Where are you going! |
Always ends with question mark |
| Imperative | Period (.) or Exclamation (!) | Please sit down? (unless it's a polite request phrased as question) |
Period for normal commands, Exclamation for strong commands |
| Exclamatory | Exclamation Mark (!) | What a surprise. How beautiful? |
Always ends with exclamation mark |
🎯 Sentence Types Challenge
Identify the type of each sentence and choose the correct punctuation.
1. The Earth revolves around the Sun
Reason: States a scientific fact.
2. What time does the movie start
Reason: Asks for information.
3. Please pass me the salt
Reason: Polite request (though strong emotion could use !).
4. How beautifully she sings
Reason: Expresses admiration/strong feeling.
5. Never talk to strangers
Reason: Strong advice/command. Could use ! for emphasis.
8. Memory Aids & Quick Identification
Quick Identification Tricks:
• Assertive: "Tells" something - ends with period (.)
• Interrogative: "Asks" something - ends with question mark (?)
• Imperative: "Orders/Requests" something - often starts with verb, subject hidden
• Exclamatory: "Shows strong feeling" - ends with exclamation mark (!)
Look at the end punctuation first for quick identification!
Common Confusions:
1. "Please sit down." vs "Could you please sit down?"
First is Imperative, second is Interrogative (polite request form)
2. "What a day!" vs "What day is it?"
First is Exclamatory, second is Interrogative
3. Imperative sentences can look like Exclamatory when emotional
Context determines the type!
Exam Tips:
• Always check the end punctuation in identification questions
• For transformation exercises, change both structure AND punctuation
• Remember: Assertive = Statement, Interrogative = Question
• In imperative, the subject "you" is understood but not written
• Exclamatory sentences often begin with "What" or "How"
Practice by converting one type to another
📝 Practice Types of Sentences
Master all four sentence types with our comprehensive worksheet!
Go to Sentence Types WorksheetIncludes answer key • Identification • Transformation • Punctuation correction • Sentence construction
