Four Types of Sentences

A statement is a sentence that tells you something. Gives information.ExampleWe gave Grandma some flowers when we visited her in hospital.The girl was watching the horses.

A question is a sentence that asks you something. Demands information.ExampleAre you going to the movies?When will the cake be cooked?

An exclamation is a sentence that expresses strong feeling (such as happiness or anger)That’s a great idea!Look out! There’s a spider on your chair.

A command is a sentence that tells you to do something. You want something done.Sit there.Please stop arguing.

Commands can be of five types

Request Please be quiet.Command Be quite.Advice Maybe you should rest for a while.Warning Watch out for that truck.Invite Come to the show with me.

Commands are used to get things done or to obtain good or services. Commands are usually used in oral interaction though they can be found in written procedures (such as instructions) or in dialogue.]

Their purpose is to give orders, to give a warning or a caution, an informal matter, to instruct, a reminder to insist, to invite.

Exercise 1Label these sentences as a statement, exclamation, question or command.***Note some sentences may have two labels.

1. I didn’t realize you were coming to the party.

2. The shop was closed when I got there.

3. Keep away from the cliffs! They’re dangerous.

4. What’s the tallest animal in the world?

5. We’ll have to hurry or we’ll be late.

6. Hurry up! We’re going to be late.

7. A helicopter flew over our house!.

8. Do you want to come to my party?

9. Tigers are dangerous animals.

10.The lioness has three cubs.

11.Where has Billy gone?

12.Turn off the light in there.

13.David has left for the city.

14.Look out!

15.Why don’t you look under the bed?

16.Please help you sister with the dishes.

Exercise 2Give two examples of each type of sentence: statement, question, exclamation and command.

Exercise 3Look at the picture and write some statements, commands, questions and exclamations.