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Detailed and accurate insight into types of sentences in English

To create a grammatically correct sentence, it's important to know how to arrange the elements in the proper order. The structure of a sentence in English will vary depending on the type of sentence. In this article, PREP will help you learn more about the different types of sentences in English.

I. What is a sentence in English?

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a statement, a question, or a command. In English, a sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period (.), question mark (?), or exclamation mark (!).

The basic components of an English sentence include a subject and a predicate. In addition, there are also objects and adjectives as other supplemental components. For example:

Jenny bought a new house last week.
Does this sentence contain a possessive adjective?

II. Types of sentences in English

Sentences in English can be classified according to their grammatical structure or function.

1. Grammatical structure

When classifying types of sentences in English according to their structure, there are four main categories: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences. Each sentence type in English will have its own independent and dependent clauses. Let's take a look at the specific classifications of types of sentences in English with examples according to their structure in the table below:

Types of sentences in English
English sentence type	Definition	Structure	Example
Simple sentence	A simple sentence is an independent clause formed by a subject and a verb.	1 independent clause: S + V + O S + V1 + V2 + O S1 + S2 + V + O S1 + S2 + V1 + V2 + O	Jenny cried. Jenny and Hanna cried. Jenny and Hanna cried and screamed.
Compound sentence	A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined together with a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.	S + V + O, FANBOYS S + V + O.	Martin told a folk tale and we all listened to him. John is thinking about asking the girl out now or he can wait until tomorrow
Complex sentence	A complex sentence includes a main clause and a subordinate clause	Conjunction + subordinate clause (S + V+ O), S + V + O.	The thief ran away when he saw Martin
Compound-complex sentence	A compound-complex sentence includes multiple main clauses and one or more than one subordinate clause.	The common structure is: Subordinating conjunction + Dependent clause, Independent clause + Coordinating conjunction + Independent clause	As they trusted Jenny, they gave it to her and asked her to preserve it. ➡ The above sentence has a subordinate clause "As they trusted Jenny"; 2 main clauses “they gave it to her” and “asked her to preserve it”.

2. Function

When classifying the types of sentences in English according to function, there are 4 main types: declarative sentences, interrogative sentences, imperative sentences, and exclamatory sentences. Let's take a look at how to specifically identify the different types of sentences in English according to their function below.

2.1. Declarative sentences

One of the most common types of sentences in English is the declarative sentence.

Declarative sentence
Usage	Structure	Example
A declarative sentence is used to express an idea, or feeling or retell something that happened. A declarative sentence can be in the form of assertion or negation.	S + V + O	Hanna speaks English very well. No music is allowed after 11.30 pm

2.2. Interrogative sentences

Interrogative sentences are also commonly found among the different types of sentences in English. An interrogative sentence is a type of sentence used for asking questions, including the following kinds:

Interrogative sentence
Type	Usage	Structure	Example
Yes – No questions	This type is used when a "yes" or "no" answer is needed.	Auxiliary verb + S + V + O?	Do you like Mozart? Isn’t Jenny a doctor? Aren’t you a friend of Hanna’s?
Wh – questions	This type is used with interrogative words (who, whom, which, what, where, how, etc.) at the beginning of the sentence.	Wh-question + auxiliary verb + S + V?	Where does Hanna come from? Who telephoned you last night? What was that noise? How much money did Martin spend?
Tag questions	Tag questions are a short interrogative form added to the end of a declarative sentence. They are commonly used to check if something is correct or to seek agreement. Note: If the statement clause is in the affirmative form, the tail is in the negative form and vice versa.	S + V + O, auxiliary verb + not + pronoun?	Hanna can swim, can’t she? Jenny hasn’t got a car, has she? Sara plays the piano, doesn’t she?
Declarative questions	This type of sentence is used when the speaker thinks they know or have understood something, but wants to ask again to make sure or express surprise.	S + V + O?	That’s Hanna? Jenny is working late tonight?
Reply questions	This is a short question to reply to a declarative question to gain more information	Auxiliary verb + pronoun? Question word??	Sara had a lovely holiday. – Did she? I’m going out. – Who with? Martin is leaving her job. – When? Jenny has got a headache. – Has she? I will get her an aspirin.
Rhetorical questions	This type is used as a rhetorical device to make speech more implied, suggestive and engaging. This rhetorical question does not require an answer.	Auxiliary verb + S + V + O?	Do you know what time it is?) Haven’t I done enough for you?

2.3. Imperative sentences

Next, one of the essential types of sentences in English is the imperative sentence.

Imperative sentences
Usage	Structure	Example
The imperative sentence is a sentence used to command, order or request someone to do something. Imperative sentences are divided into two types: affirmative imperative and negative imperative.	Affirmative: V (bare-inf) + Object/ Preposition	Bring another chair. Do sit down.
	Negative: Don’t + V (bare-inf) + Object	Don’t throw trash in the yard. Don’t do that again!

2.4. Exclamatory sentences

The last type is the exclamatory sentence.

Exclamatory sentences
Usage: An exclamatory sentence is used to express strong emotions, views, or attitudes about someone/something. Some common structures include:
Type	Structure	Example
“how”	How + Adj How + Adj/Adv + S + V How + S + V	How beautiful! How dirty the dress is How well Jenny plays the guitar.
“what”	What + a/an + (adj) + singular countable noun What + (adj) + uncountable/ plural noun What (+a/an) + adj + noun + S + V	What a terrible noise! What awful weather! What a beautiful smile Jenny has!
“so/ such”	So + adj Such (+a/an) + adj + noun	Martin is so fat! Hanna has such an expensive coat!
Negative question	Auxiliary verb + S + V + O?	Isn’t the weather nice? Hasn’t he grown?

You must have learned all the different types of sentences in English as well as the structures for each type of sentence, right?!

III. Exercises on types of sentences in English

Now that we've covered the theories of sentence classification and structures in English, let's dive into some practice!

Exercise: Read the following sentences and make corresponding questions

For example: You want to know if it is raining. ➡ Is it raining?

You want to know if Jenny has been to Vietnam. Ask Jenny.
You would like to ask Hanna where she bought her dress.
You want to know if Hanna plays tennis. Ask Hanna.
You want to ask Martin if you can borrow his coat.
You need to know how much this dress cost.
You want to ask Jenny what she locked the door for.
You need to know if Sara will be at the club tomorrow. Ask him.
You are wondering if Hanna enjoyed her vacation.

Answer key:

Has Jenny been to Vietnam?
Where did you buy your dress?
Does Hanna play tennis?
Can I borrow your coat?
How much does this dress cost?
What did you lock the door for?
Will you be at the club tomorrow?
Did you enjoy your vacation?

In the article above, PREP has helped you gather detailed knowledge about all types of sentences in English. Hopefully, this will be a useful document for you to review English sentences effectively and achieve your desired score!

Master Tu Pham

Founder/CEO at Prep

Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.