Sentence Types and Functions
What is a sentence?
A sentence is a group of words that makes sense. It expresses a complete thought. It
begins with a capital letter and ends with an appropriate terminal punctuation mark. A
sentence has at least one subject and one verb. It is composed of one or more clauses.
Independent and Dependent Clauses
There are two types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses. A
sentence contains at least one independent clause and may contain one or more dependent
clauses.
An independent clause (or main clause) is a complete thought. It can stand by itself.
However, a dependent clause (or subordinate clause) is an incomplete thought. It cannot stand
by itself. You can spot a dependent clause by identifying the subordinating conjunction. A
subordinating conjunction creates a dependent clause that relies on the rest of the sentence for
meaning.
The following list provides some examples of subordinating conjunctions: after, as,
before, if, though, while, unless, although, because, even though, since, when, until,
whereas.
Examples:
Independent clause: When I go to the movies, I usually buy popcorn.
Dependent clause: When I go to the movies, I usually buy popcorn.
Sentence Types
Sentences are divided into four categories: simple sentences, compound sentences,
complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences.
1. Simple Sentences: A simple sentence contains one independent clause.
Examples:
Johnny rode his bike to school.
She ate her lunch, took a walk, and went back to work.
2. Compound Sentences: A compound sentence contains two independent clauses. A
coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) often links the two independent
clauses and is preceded by a comma.
Examples:
She wanted to go on vacation, so she saved up her money.
I like apples, but my sister loves bananas.
Tim loves to read, and he also loves to hike.
3. Complex Sentences: A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or
more dependent clauses. A complex sentence will include at least one subordinating
conjunction.
Examples:
She went to class even though she was sick.
As John was arriving to work, he realized he forgot his lunch..
4. Compound-Complex Sentences: A compound-complex sentence combines complex
sentence and compound sentence forms. A compound-complex sentence contains one or more
independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
Examples:
Although she felt guilty for missing her friend’s birthday, she took her out to dinner
the next day, and they had a great time.
I try to eat healthy food, but because fast food is so convenient, I cannot maintain a
healthy diet.
Sentence Functions
There are four types of sentences by function/meaning.
Declarative Sentence
Interrogative Sentence
Imperative Sentence
Exclamatory Sentence
1. Declarative sentence: A declarative sentence makes a statement. It always ends with a full
stop or a period (.).
Examples:
He writes a letter.
She is eating an apple.
2. Interrogative Sentence: An interrogative sentence asks a question. It ends with a question
Mark(?).
Examples:
Are you feeling well ?
When will he come ?
3. Imperative Sentence: An imperative sentence gives an order or makes a polite request. It
can also express good wish. It ends with a period or an exclamation mark (./!)
Examples:
Please lower your voice.
Would you close the door please?
Eat your lunch.
4. Exclamatory Sentence: An exclamatory sentence expresses strong feelings, great emotion
or excitement. It ends with an exclamation mark.
Examples:
Wow! That is great news!
What an interesting story!
