Understanding Declarative Sentences Better
This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
When talking or writing in English, using the right kind of sentence is important. It helps get your ideas across clearly. Declarative sentences are very common and easy to understand. They share information, opinions, or beliefs.
What are Declarative Sentences?
Declarative sentences end with a period. They make a statement without asking a question or giving an order. They have a subject and a verb. The subject is who or what it’s about. The verb tells what the subject is doing. Declaratives can be positive or negative.
For example:
- “The sun rises in the east.” This is positive because it tells what the sun does.
- “She does not like chocolate.” This is negative because it uses the word “not.”
Examples of Declarative Sentences
Take a look at some examples to help you understand declaratives:
- “The leaves turn yellow in autumn.”
- “My brother plays basketball every weekend.”
- “I am not interested in attending the party.”
- “The book you recommended was fascinating.”
Structure of Declarative Sentences
Subjects and Verbs
In declarative sentences, the subject and verb have to match. They need to both be singular or both be plural.
For example:
- “The dog chases the squirrel.” Here dog and chases match because they are both singular.
- “The dogs chase the squirrel.” Now dogs and chase match because they are both plural.
Punctuation
Declarative sentences always end with a period (.). This is the dot at the end.
They can also have other marks inside like commas. Or they can have semicolons or colons. Those go between parts of a sentence.
What Declarative Sentences Do
- Give Information: One main use of declarative sentences is to give information or facts. They share knowledge, describe situations, or provide details about a topic.
- Make Statements: Declarative sentences are used to make statements or claims. These can express opinions, beliefs, or judgments.
- Express Opinions: Besides giving information, these sentences can express personal opinions or viewpoints. They convey feelings, attitudes or perspectives.
Types of Declarative Sentences with Examples
Simple
Simple declarative sentences have a subject and verb and express one idea.
For example:
- “The bird sang beautifully.”
- “She loves to read books.”
Compound
Join two ideas with words like “and, but, or.”
For example:
- “He studied hard and he passed the test.”
- “The weather was pleasant, but we stayed indoors.”
Complex
Include one main idea and extra information.
For example:
- “Although it was raining, they went for a walk.”
- “She finished her homework because she wanted to watch a movie.”
Compound-Complex
Combine multiple main ideas and extra information.
For example:
- “She enjoyed the concert, and she bought a t-shirt because she wanted to support the band.”
Why Declaratives Are Important
- Clarity: Declarative sentences allow clear and precise communication by conveying information, ideas and statements directly.
- Variety: While declarative are most common, using other types like questions and commands adds variety.
Tips for Writing Declarative Sentences
- Keep sentences focused on one idea
- Make sure subjects and verbs agree
- Use proper punctuation
- Vary sentence structure
- Consider using active voice
Like our work? Get our Grammar Reference Guide today to improve your English grammar.
Interrogative Vs Declarative Sentence:
Declarative: States or claims
Interrogative: Asks a question
Example:
- Declarative: “The book is on the table.”
- Interrogative: “Where is the book?”
Exclamatory Vs Declarative Sentence:
Declarative: Makes a statement
Exclamatory: Expresses strong emotion with an exclamation point (!)
Example:
- Declarative: “The concert was amazing.”
- Exclamatory: “The concert was amazing!”
Declarative Vs Imperative Sentence:
Declarative: Makes a statement
Imperative: Gives a command
Example:
- Declarative: “You should clean your room.”
- Imperative: “Clean your room.”
Final thoughts
Using declaratives well allows you to communicate thoughts, give information, and express opinions clearly. Vary your sentences for interest, but master declarative sentences first.
FAQs:
Q: What are the 4 types of sentences?
A: The 4 types of basic sentences are: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Knowing the different kinds helps with writing and speaking correctly.
