A Quick Guide to Sentence Type Identifier

Before you begin writing, think about your audience. Is it an expert, professional, or an experienced writer? Use a sentence type identifier to help your audience and make yourself stand out.

What Is a Sentence?

A sentence is a group of words used to convey a complete thought or express an idea. It is a grammatical unit consisting of a subject and a predicate.

The subject is the thing doing the action in a sentence, and the predicate is the thing being done. The predicate is what might be done with a verb and can also be a noun, adjective, or adverb.

How Does a Sentence Differ From a Clause?

There is a slight but key difference between a clause and a sentence. A clause and a sentence are both composed of a group of words that include a subject and a predicate. A sentence can always stand alone and convey a meaning, but a clause does not necessarily do so.

A sentence is a grammatical unit that typically consists of one or more clauses. However, a clause can either be a part of a sentence or a complete sentence on its own. The two types of clauses are:

• Independent Clause: This clause can stand alone as a sentence and convey a complete thought.
• Dependent Clause: This is a clause written underneath an independent clause because it cannot express a complete meaning on its own.

The 4 Different Sentence Type Identifier

There are four different types of sentences in English. They are declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences. They allow us to express ourselves with clarity. Using different types of sentences will help you communicate your thoughts effectively. Below are explanations of each type to help you understand better.

1. Declarative Sentence

A declarative sentence is the most common type of sentence that serves to convey information. It can be any statement, from the crucial ones to the tiniest of details. A declarative sentence can be both positive and negative and usually ends with a full stop or period.

Conventional structure: Subject + verb + object.

Example 1: We played football yesterday.

Example 2: We did not play football yesterday.

2. Interrogative Sentence

An interrogative sentence asks direct and specific questions to gain information. They are directed at a particular person, place, or thing and end with a question mark.

Conventional structure: (WH-word +) auxiliary verb + subject + main verb + object.

Example 1: Do you play football?

Example 2: Why don’t you play football?

3. Imperative Sentence

An imperative sentence tells or commands you to do something. It can be in the form of an authoritative order, friendly advice, or basic instruction. This type of sentence usually ends in a full stop but can also end in an exclamation mark to emphasize emotion. They typically lack a subject because the subject is considered to be YOU.

Conventional structure: base verb + object.

Example 1: Help me!

Example 2: Don’t touch it.

4. Exclamatory Sentence

An exclamatory sentence expresses a strong feeling, emotion, or surprise. Like an imperative sentence, they also provide information but end with an exclamation mark instead of a full stop.

Conventional structure 1: What (+adjective) + noun + subject + verb

Example 1: What a wonderful lady you are!

Conventional structure 2: How (+adjective/adverb) + subject + verb

Example 2: How clever you are!

Conclusion

English is a language written and read in part with sentence structures. Identifying the type of sentence that a sentence is will help you understand its function in a sentence.

The sentence type identifier lets you know whether you are left with a question, asking permission, ordering something, or making a statement.