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WH Words

There are five major types of sentences in English: declarative sentences that make statements, closed interrogative sentences that ask yes-or-no questions, open interrogative sentences that ask questions requiring additional information, exclamative sentences that make exclamatory statements, and imperative sentences that give directives or commands. Each sentence type correlates with a different speech act, though there is not always a perfect match - for example, declarative sentences make statements while closed interrogatives ask closed questions.

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21 views1 page

WH Words

There are five major types of sentences in English: declarative sentences that make statements, closed interrogative sentences that ask yes-or-no questions, open interrogative sentences that ask questions requiring additional information, exclamative sentences that make exclamatory statements, and imperative sentences that give directives or commands. Each sentence type correlates with a different speech act, though there is not always a perfect match - for example, declarative sentences make statements while closed interrogatives ask closed questions.

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Andreea
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Chapter 1

Types of sentences in English

Types of sentences
In linguistics, a speech act is an utterance defined in terms of speakers intention
and the effect it has on a listener. In other words the term speech act is used for things
we can do with sentences (Cerban, 2011:163). It refers to the fact that words can be used
in different ways: to make a statement, asking questions, giv orders or commands, make
promises, give thanks or uttering exclamations.
In general, speech acts are acts of communication. To communicate means to
express a certain attitude, and the type of speech corresponds to the type of attitude
expressed by the speaker.
The syntax of English distinguishes a set of clause types that can perform
different types of speech acts. There are five major types of sentences (Cerban,
2011:163):
Declarative: Mary is a beautiful girl.
Closed interrogative: Is Marry a beautiful girl?
Open interrogative: How beautiful is Marry?
Exclamative: What a beautiful Girl Mary is!
Imperative: Be smart and think twice!
Speech acts have a characteristic correlation with these clause type, although it
cannot be called a full match:
Clause type Speech Act
Declarative - making a statement
Closed interrogative - asking a closed question
Open interrogative - asking an open question
Exclamative - making an exclamatory statement
Imperative - issuing a directive

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