Types of sentences

Page contents:

  • Grammatical sentence structure

  • Sentence function

Noticing how many and what types of clauses sentences contain and identifying whether they make a statement, ask a question, issue a command, or express an exclamation can help you analyze sentences as you write and revise.

Grammatical sentence structure

Grammatically, sentences may be simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.

Simple sentences

A simple sentence consists of one independent clause and no dependent clause. The subject or the verb, or both, may be compound.

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Compound sentences

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and no dependent clause. The clauses may be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction or by a semicolon.

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Complex sentences

A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

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Compound-complex sentences

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

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Sentence function

In terms of function, sentences can be declarative (making a statement), interrogative (asking a question), imperative (giving a command), or exclamatory (expressing strong feeling).

DECLARATIVE He sings with the Grace Church Boys’ Choir.
INTERROGATIVE How long has he sung with them?
IMPERATIVE Comb his hair before the performance starts.
EXCLAMATORY What voices those boys have!