What Are the Four Types of Sentences? In the English language, we can identify four types of sentences. They are classified based on their purposes:
• The declarative sentence type is used for making a statement;
• The interrogative type is used to ask a question;
• Imperative sentences are used to tell somebody to do something (i. e. give a command or an order);
• The exclamatory type is used to express (e. g. surprise).
Apart from their purposes, these sentence types require the use of different punctuation marks. Also, if we are talking about oral speech rather than writing, every type uses different intonations to highlight their purposes.
In the chart below, you can find a short overview of all these types with their key characteristics:
Sentence Type
Purpose
Final Punctuation Mark
Example
Declarative
Make a statement
.
I am a student.
Interrogative
Ask a question
?
Are you a student?
Imperative
Give a command
. or !
Welcome the new student.
Exclamatory
Form an expression
!
There are so many students