Different Types of Sentences

[A] Types of Sentences based on Function

2. Interrogative sentence

What is an interrogative sentence?

An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence that asks question. It usually begins with who, what, where, when, why, how, or do and ends with a question mark.

Examples:

• Where are you going?
• What is happening?
• What do you want me to do?
• Do you want me to write something for you?
• Are you going to school today?

Types of Interrogative sentence

There are four types of interrogative sentences. They are:

• Yes/No Interrogatives
• Alternative Interrogatives
• Wh- Interrogatives
• Tag Questions

Yes/No Interrogatives

Questions which require a “yes” or “no” answer, are called Yes/No Interrogatives.

Examples:

• Are you going home?
• Will you come with me?

The answer to each of the above question will be either a “yes” or “no”

How to form Yes/No Interrogatives:

Yes/No Interrogatives are formed with the help of auxiliary verbs. The typical form of such question is:

Auxiliary verb (be, do or have) + subject + main verb or

modal verb + subject + main verb

The auxiliary verbs are inverted with the subject (subject – verb inversion)

For example:

• Are you going to school?
• Will Jack come tomorrow?
• Have you finished your homework?
• Do you like folkdance?

When there is more than one auxiliary verb or model verb in the sentence, only one auxiliary verb or model should be put before the subject.

For example:

• Have you been working for the whole day? (Only “have” has been put before the subject “you”)

Alternative Interrogatives

Alternative Interrogatives are questions that give a choice among two or more answers. Therefore, these questions are also called choice questions.

For example:

• Do you prefer coffee or tea?
• Will you come with me now, or will you go with James afterwards?
• Do you prefer to live in the village or the city?
• Will they buy an apartment or villa?

How to form Alternative Interrogatives:

Alternative Interrogatives are also formed with the help of auxiliary verbs. The form of such a question is:

Auxiliary verb (be, do or have) + subject + main verb or

Modal verb + subject + main verb.

The auxiliary verbs are inverted with the subject (subject-verb inversion)

In the alternative question to be formed, if the main verb is “be”, additional auxiliary verb need not be used.

For example:

• Are those flowers roses or Begonias? (The main verb, “are” itself is used to ask the question)

Wh- Interrogatives

Wh- Interrogatives are questions asked using one of the question words, who, what, where, when, why, and how. Auxiliary verbs also must be used in these types of questions.

For example:

• Where are you going?
• How are you doing?
• Why did you do that?

When you use the ‘wh’ and ‘how’ question words, the questions demand full sentence answers.

For example:

Q. Where are you going?

Ans. I am going to the mall.

Q. How are you doing?

Ans. ‘I am doing great.’

Q. Why did you do that?

Ans: ‘Because I wanted to.’

Although in the above examples, the answers are given in single sentences, depending upon the situation, the answer may require long explanation.

Tag questions 

Tag questions are questions formed by attaching question tags onto the end of a declarative sentence. The tags are usually made using an auxiliary verb inverted with subject. These question tags change the declarative sentences to interrogative sentences.

Examples:

• You are from USA, aren’t you?
• She is watching a film in the T.V.at home, isn’t she?
• You will go to your hometown tomorrow, won’t you?
• She was a kind woman, wasn’t she?
• He is not attending the meeting, is he?

Sometimes a declarative sentence can be used as interrogative sentence by putting a question mark at the end of the sentence. When you ask questions like this orally, the last syllable of the sentence should be given proper intonation to make the listener understand that a question is being asked to him.

• The train has already left?
• Your son got the job he desired?

Indirect questions/Embedded questions

Indirect questions are questions embedded in a statement.

For example:

• I asked him where he was staying.

A question, “Where are you staying?”, is embedded in the given statement. But it should be clearly understood that an interrogative sentence always asks direct questions. Indirect questions/ embedded questions do not come under the category of “Interrogative sentences”.

3. Exclamatory sentence

What is an Exclamatory sentence?

An Exclamatory sentence is a type of sentence that expresses strong emotion. In listening, it is not hard to identify an exclamation sentence. The tone of the person’s voice will convey that information. But in writing, to make an exclamatory sentence you need to use the exclamation mark. Here are a few examples of exclamation sentences:

• What a tasty pizza!
• How I wish to go now!
• We are the champions!
• What a cute baby!

There are different methods of expressing or writing exclamatory sentences. We must choose one suitable for the occasion. Some examples of the common categories are given hereunder:

Exclamatory sentences expressing strong emotion

• Many, many sweet returns of the day!
• Happy New Year!
• Happy Christmas!

Exclamatory sentences those begin with “What”:

• What a beautiful scenery!
• What a cute baby!
• What a nice behavior!

Exclamatory sentences those begin with “How”:

• How brightly it shines!
• How beautifully she sings!
• How neatly she has kept her house!

Exclamatory sentences containing “such”:

• She is such a kind lady!
• He is such a bright student!
• She is such a wonderful writer!

Exclamatory sentences containing “so”:

• She is so glamorous!
• He is so handsome!
• That gentleman is so generous!

It is to be remembered that exclamatory sentences express strong emotion and should be used carefully. They are not to be used to write reports or academic purposes.

4. Imperative sentence

What is an Imperative sentence?

An Imperative sentence is one of the types of sentences which is used to issue a command, instruction, make a request, or offer advice. Basically, they tell people what to do. These sentences also provide direction to whoever is being addressed and therefore, they are sometimes called directives too.

Imperative sentences usually end with a period but can occasionally end with an exclamation point.

Given below, are some examples of imperative sentences which illustrate their function.

• Get your hands up! (Command)
• Do your homework. (Instruction)
• Close the window. (Request or demand)
• Go to the bank and make that deposit. (instruction)
• Go to bed. (Demand)
• Please come with me for dinner. (Invitation)

While hearing the command sentence, it is the tone of voice by the user that tells you what is meant, but in writing, it is the sentence structure that helps. If the situation so demands, an imperative sentence can use an exclamation mark instead of a period.

The imperative sentences typically begin with verbs that issue a command. Normally the subject of an imperative sentence is implied. The subject is the person to whom the command is directed towards. To be specific, the subject is “you”. It is understood here. That makes the imperative sentences second person sentences.

In English language, based on the structure, there are four types of sentences. They are:

1. Simple sentence
2. Compound sentence
3. Complex sentence
4. Compound-Complex sentence

Now let us study the sentence structures one by one.

1. The simple sentence

Simple sentences are one of the 4 types of sentences based on structure. While it is the easiest sentence to create, it does have some rules you must follow. Along with being one independent clause there are aspects that need to be part of the sentence:

It must have a subject and a verb.

It must express a complete thought.

It can only have one clause.

That is simple and straightforward.  Here are a few examples of a simple sentence:

• I ran out of paper for the printer.
• The cake smells good.
• Can I have some milk to drink, please?
• She went to the store.

These are quite simple and quite easy sentences to create and use.

2. The compound sentence

Compound sentences contain at least two independent clauses that have related ideas. These clauses are joined using a coordinating conjunction, a correlative conjunction, semicolon, or a conjunctive adverb

Here are a few examples of compound sentences:

• The photographer wiggled his bells, and the baby smiled.
• I arrived late; however, the class had not begun.
• It was hot outside, but the ice cream did not melt.

How to form compound sentences?

We can combine two simple sentences only if they are related. You cannot pick two completely different simple sentences, link them together, and claim you have made a compound sentence. What you made was an English mess. For example, let us take the two simple sentences given below.

• I want to play chess. He will go to Delhi tomorrow.

The above two sentences have no relation to each other. Therefore, they cannot be combined.

Now look at the following sentences

• I want to buy a scooter. I haven’t sufficient money.

Above sentences have relation with each other. They can be combined to form a compound sentence as shown below:

• I want to buy a scooter, but I haven’t sufficient money.

Compound sentences can be formed using any one of the following four methods as the situation demands.

• Using coordinating conjunction 
• Using correlative conjunction
• Using semicolon
• Using conjugative adverb

Forming Compound sentences using a coordinating conjunction 

We know that there are seven coordinating conjunctions in English language, and they are: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So (Acronym: FANBOYS).

When we join two independent clauses with a coordinate conjunction to form a compound sentence, we must choose the most suitable one for the context.

Punctuation rule: The coordinate conjunction must be preceded by a comma.

Examples:

• I ran to class, but my friend walked.
• Ann went to her friend’s house, and her sister accompanied her.
• I went quickly, for I had to attend a meeting at 9.00 A.M.

If the independent sentences to be joined are short and closely related either a comma or a coordinating conjunction are sufficient for joining the same.

Example:

• Ann opened the door and Jill took the bag inside. (No comma)
• Ann opened the door, Jill took the bag inside. (Only comma)

Forming Compound sentences using a correlative conjunction 

We know that correlative conjunctions are paired conjunctions, that are always used together. Some of the most common correlative conjunctions are:

not only… but also

either…or

neither…nor

No sooner … than

We can join two independent clauses using a pair of correlative conjunctions. But while choosing a correlative conjunction to form a compound sentence, care must be taken to select the most suitable conjunction capable of expressing the relationship between the two independent clauses.

Punctuation rule: A comma must come before the conjunction that introduces the second independent clause.

Examples:

• John is not only very handsome, but also is highly intelligent.
• You can either go with Jim in his car or go by bus afterwards.
• I neither know, nor wish to know about Jill’s whereabouts.
• No sooner had I reached the hall, than the meeting started.

Forming Compound sentences using semicolon

If the two independent sentences to be joined are closely related, we can join them only with a semicolon.

Examples:

• I wanted to play caroms; my friend wanted to play chess.
• Jill filled the bucket; Jack carried it.
• I brought the rope; father tied the knot.

Forming Compound sentences using conjunctive adverb

We know that conjunctive adverbs are adverbs used as conjunction to join two independent clauses. Thus, using conjunctive adverbs too, we can form compound sentences. There are a lot of conjunctive adverbs in English language. When we choose a conjunctive adverb to join two independent clauses, care must be given to select one that is most suited to the relationship of the two clauses.

Punctuation rule: A semicolon precedes conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.

Examples:

• I was awake the whole night; therefore, I am feeling sleepy now.
• Jack misbehaved in the class; as a result, he got punishment from his teacher.
• We have not received your reservation; therefore, our assumption is that you will not be attending the meeting.

3. The complex sentence

The complex sentence is a sentence that consists of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, introduced, and joined with the linking word, called subordinating conjunctions. There are a lot of subordinate conjunctions in English language. Some of the commonly used subordinate conjunctions are: as, as if, before, after, because, though, even though, while, when, whenever, if, during, as soon as, as long as, since, until, unless, where, and wherever

Some examples of complex sentences are as follows:

• As the bridge wasn’t properly maintained by the government, it fell down.
• Whenever they eat at this restaurant, they order a hamburger and fries.
• He’ll be able to maintain a healthy weight if he keeps exercising.
• As the world is getting warmer, polar bears are in danger of becoming extinct.

In the above complex sentences, the dependent clauses are highlighted. A subordinate conjunction introduces and links each of the dependent clauses to the independent clause. The dependent clause may be an adverb clause, a noun clause, or a relative clause.

Notice that the independent clause does not have to be the first clause in the sentence. When the dependent clause is placed first, we generally put a comma after it. But in case the independent clause comes first no comma is usually needed.

Example:

• If he studies well, he will pass the test.

He will pass the test if he studies well.

4. The compound-complex sentence

To make a compound-complex sentence, you need at least two independent clauses, a conjunction, and one or more dependent clauses (subordinate clauses).

To make it simple, you are combining two sentence types together. That is, a complex and compound sentence are combined to form a compound-complex sentence. Some examples will help you:

• We did not win the game, but we were not unhappy because we, the beginners, had faced the veterans confidently.

We did not win the game – Independent clause

we were not unhappy – Independent clause

but – Coordinating conjunction

(because we, the beginners, had faced the veterans confidently). – Dependent clause

because – Subordinating conjunction

In the above example, there are two Independent clauses combined with the coordinating conjunction” but”, and one dependent clause connected to the independent clause with the subordinating conjunction, “because”

• The flower girl was crying because she could not sell her flowers till evening, but when the gentleman bought the entire flower basket, she became happy.

The flower girl was crying – Independent clause

she became happy – Independent clause

(because she could not sell her flowers till evening) – Dependent clause

(when the gentleman bought the entire flower basket) – Dependent clause

but – Coordinating conjunction

when, because – Subordinating conjunctions

In the above example, there are two complex sentences (each consisting of one independent clause and one dependent clause), combined with the coordinating conjunction” but”. The dependent clause of the first complex sentence is connected to the independent clause with the subordinating conjunction,” because” and the second complex sentence is connected to the independent clause with the subordinating conjunction, “when”.

• She loved me for the dangers that I had faced to marry her, and I loved her because she loved me.

She loved me for the dangers – Independent clause

I loved her – Independent clause

(that I had faced to marry her) – Dependent clause

because she loved me – Dependent clause

and – Coordinating conjunction

that, because – Subordinating conjunctions

Above example also has two complex sentences connected with the coordinating conjunction, “and”.

As a compound-complex sentence is a combination of complex and compound sentences, so all the rules relevant to both complex sentences and compound sentences are to be observed while forming compound-complex sentences too.

Some Final Thoughts

As we said before, learning English can get overwhelming. There are so many things to learn. But if you break down the different aspects into manageable parts, you should be able to pick up the language quite well. A word of caution is not to use the Backslash [ \ ] symbol in place of the Forward slash [ / ] symbol while framing sentences. The forward symbol is an English punctuation symbol while the forward slash is used in the computing language. I have written a dedicated article on \ Backslash symbol which differentiates the usage between the forward slash and backslash. Please refer the same here Backslash and Forward Slash.