37f Types of Sentences

37fTypes of sentences

Contents:

Identifying sentences by grammatical structure

Identifying sentences by 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.

Identifying sentences by grammatical 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.

image

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.

image

Complex sentences

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

image

Compound-complex sentences

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

image

Identifying sentences by 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!