General English Series - 2

Kinds of Sentences

 Sentences are of four kinds

Assertive Sentence

Those that make statements or assertions.

• Russia is the largest country in the world.
• Tokyo is the capital of Japan.
• Football is the most popular game in South America.

A sentence that make a statement or assertion is called an Assertive Sentence. [Also called Declarative Sentence]. It should have a full stop at its end.

Interrogative Sentence

Those that ask questions.

• Which country is called the 'Land of the Rising Sun'?
• Do you know the name of Brazil's captital?
• What language do the Chinese speak?

A sentence that asks a question is called an Interrogative Sentence. It ends in a question mark[?].

Imperative Sentence

Those that express commands or requests

• Come in.
• Shut up!
• Please be quiet.

A sentence that express a command or request is called an Imperative Sentence. Normally a full stop comes at its end. But if the sentence contains a strong command, an exclamation mark is used.

Exclamatory Sentence

Those that express strong feelings

• What a fine story it is!
• How good of you to come!
• How fragrant the flower are!

A sentence that express strong feeling is called an Exclamatory Sentence. An exclamation mark (!) follows it.

Exercise (Say what kind of sentence each one is)

1.  Jack an Jill went up the hill.
2. Use your common sense!
3. How stupid of you to say that!
4. Do you speak English at home?
5. Don't be a fool to believe everybody.
6. O that I had wings!
7. Everest is the highest peak in the world.
8. Don't you know that can't fool everybody every time?
9. The Dutch live in the Netherlands.
10. Stop your nonsense.

Answer of General English Series - 1 Exercise.

1. The cow is a useful animal.
2. Correct Sentence
3. My brother works in the Gulf.
4. Correct Sentence
5. Rahul Dravid is a great cricketer.
6. Akbar was a great Mugal Emperor.
7. What is your name?
8. Correct Sentence
9. How nice it is!
10. Do as you are told.
11. Please be quiet.
12. How good of you to come!