Today is our topic of discussion – Kinds of Sentences
Kinds of Sentences
Definition of sentence
Sentence means some adorned words which express the full meaning. In other words, when some words sit together to express a particular meaning is called a sentence.
Notice the below given examples:
Prova is a good girl. That is a statement.
Is Prova a good girl? – Something has been asked. Always obey your teachers. – Something has been suggested.
May your wish come true. – A prayer has been said.
Oh! I can’t believe my eyes. A feeling of surprise has been expressed. So, it can be noticed that, feelings can be expressed in different ways. Words should be decorated in different ways to express different feelings. Thus, many kinds of sentences are formed.
Among the above written sentences, the first sentence is a statement. Through the second sentence, a question has been asked. In the third sentence there is a suggestion. In the fourth sentence, there is a prayer and in the fifth sentence a feeling has been expressed.
Classification of sentences
According to the meaning, there are five kinds of sentences. They are –
1. Assertive sentence
2. Interrogative sentence
3. Imperative sentence
4. Optative sentence
5. Exclamatory sentence
Let’s discuss these five types of sentences in details.
Assertive sentence
The kinds of sentences which give any statement or confess or say something are called assertive sentences. As-
The sun rises in the east.
Rajib is a business major.
You should go home now.
The above mentioned sentences are giving statements or recognizing or attesting something. So, these are called assertive sentences.
Interrogative sentence
The sentences which ask a question about something or somebody are called interrogative sentences.
According to the rules, there is supposed to be a what, who, whom, which, why, when, how etc. to ask a question. As-
What is your name?
Who is the boy in red shirt?
Which one is your book?
In the above stated examples, some questions have been asked to find out some particular information. These are called interrogative sentences. Without using these “wh” (what, who, whom, which, why, when etc), there are some other rules to make meaningful questions as well. In the later lesson learners will get to know about asking questions in detail. It must be kept in the mind that after an interrogative sentence, there must be a Sign of Interrogation (?).
Imperative sentence
The types of sentences which express order, advice, request, prohibition etc. are called imperative sentences.
Sometimes imperative sentences do not show any subject. The subject can be hidden, but its presence can be understood. Example:
Open the door now. (Order)
Never tell a lie. (Suggestion)
Please pass me the water. (Request)
Among the above mentioned sentences, the first sentence expresses order, the second sentence expresses suggestion and the third sentence expresses request. These types of sentences are called imperative sentences.
Optative sentence
The kinds of sentences which express wish or prayer are called optative sentences. Optative sentences need a ‘may’ in the beginning.
May all your dreams come true.
May you obtain success in your every step.
Long live our President.
Among the above mentioned sentences, some express wish, some prayer, and some express blessings. So, each of the sentence is called an optative sentence.
Exclamatory sentence
The kinds of sentences which express feelings like happiness, sadness, amaze, hatred, sudden feelings are called exclamatory sentences.
What a beautiful flower it is!
Alas! I am broke!
What a fool he is!
Oops! I made a great mistake.
The above mentioned sentences are the examples of exclamatory sentences as these sentences express sudden reactions, emotions or expressions. These sentences need sign of exclamation (!).
The five kinds of sentences have been discussed above. Each kind of sentences can be divided into two parts as well. One of them is Assertive and another one is negative. As-
I am reading.
This is an Affirmative Sentence. An incident has been admitted. However, if it is said like –
I am not reading.
Here, an incident has been denied. This is a Negative Sentence.
Assertive or positive sentences are called affirmative Sentences and denial sentences are called negative sentences.
A sentence can be transformed into a negative one from a positive sentence if needed. However, from the above mentioned sentences, all of the sentences can be transformed except the exclamatory sentence. It means each of them has two different features. As –
a. Affimative
b. Negative
Affirmative and Negative sentences are shown below:
1. Aff. This is a school.
Neg. This is not a school.
2. Aff. She should be grateful.
Neg. She should not be grateful.
3. Aff. You are a fool.
Neg. You are not a fool.
4. Aff. I have books.
Neg. I have no books.
5. Aff. Mamun has a ball.
Neg. Mamun has no ball./ They do not have a ball.
6. Aff. They will work hard.
Neg. They will not work hard.
7. Aff. Maruf had a little puppy.
Neg. Maruf had no little puppy./ Maruf did not have a little puppy.
8. Aff. He has a magic box.
Neg. He does not have a magic box. / He has no magic box.
9. Aff. I can do the math.
Neg. I can not do the math.
10. Aff. Lopa should apologize.
Neg. Lopa should not apologize.
11. Aff. You may go there.
Neg. You may not go there.
12. Aff. I must work hard to attain my goal.
Neg. I must not work hard to attain my goal.
13. Aff. We have to go for the practice every weekend.
Neg. We do not have to go for the practice every weekend.
14. Aff. I play cricket every day.
Neg. I do not play cricket every day.
15. Aff. Shubho used to go to the park everyday.
Neg. Shubho did not use to go to the park everyday
So, it can be seen that, by adding ‘not, no, do not, does not and did not one can transform affirmative sentences into negative ones. While making negative sentences, a ‘no’ should be put before a noun and in other places “not” take place.