RULES OF SENTENCE TYPES AND FUNCTIONS
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| 1. A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. | She is reading a book. |
| 2. Every sentence must have a subject and a predicate. | The boy (subject) is playing (predicate). |
| 3. Sentences are classified by function and structure. | Declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory. |
| 4. A declarative sentence makes a statement. | I love English grammar. |
| 5. A declarative sentence ends with a period (full stop). | The sky is blue. |
| 6. An interrogative sentence asks a question. | Do you like coffee? |
| 7. Interrogative sentences end with a question mark. | Where do you live? |
| 8. An imperative sentence gives a command, request, or instruction. | Please sit down. |
| 9. Imperative sentences often have an implied subject "you." | (You) Open the door. |
| 10. An exclamatory sentence shows strong feeling or surprise. | What a beautiful day! |
| 11. Exclamatory sentences end with an exclamation mark (!). | How wonderful she is! |
| 12. A sentence can also be classified by structure: simple, compound, or complex. | She smiled. / She smiled and waved. / She smiled because she was happy. |
| 13. A simple sentence has one independent clause. | I read every day. |
| 14. A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction. | I wanted to go out, but it started to rain. |
| 15. A complex sentence has one independent and one or more dependent clauses. | I stayed home because it was raining. |
| 16. A compound-complex sentence has multiple independent and at least one dependent clause. | I went home, but my friend stayed because he was tired. |
| 17. Use coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) in compound sentences. | for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so |
| 18. Use subordinating conjunctions for complex sentences. | because, although, when, if, since, unless |
| 19. A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. | I know (subject + verb). |
| 20. A phrase lacks a complete subject or verb. | In the morning, on the table, very quickly |
| 21. Interrogative sentences can begin with an auxiliary verb. | Are you ready? / Have you finished? |
| 22. "Wh-" words form direct questions. | What, Where, When, Why, Who, How |
| 23. Tag questions add short confirmations. | You're coming, aren't you? |
| 24. Negative interrogatives show surprise or expectation. | Don't you agree? |
| 25. Rhetorical questions don't need an answer. | Who doesn't want happiness? |
| 26. Imperatives can be polite using "please" or modal verbs. | Please help me. / Could you pass the salt? |
| 27. Exclamatory sentences often start with "what" or "how." | What a view! / How kind you are! |
| 28. Avoid overusing exclamation marks in writing. | Use them only to show genuine emotion. |
| 29. Sentence variety improves writing flow and reader interest. | Mix statements, questions, and commands. |
| 30. Use declaratives for facts, interrogatives for curiosity, imperatives for direction, and exclamations for emotion. | Different functions = balanced tone. |
| 31. Subject can come after the verb in questions. | Is she coming? |
| 32. In imperative sentences, subject is often understood. | (You) Listen carefully. |
| 33. Short sentences add power; long ones add detail. | Stop! / She walked slowly down the old street. |
| 34. In formal writing, prefer declarative and complex sentences. | They maintain clarity and depth. |
| 35. In conversation, use questions and short imperatives naturally. | What's up? / Tell me more. |
| 36. Use transitions to connect ideas between sentences. | However, therefore, on the other hand |
| 37. Vary sentence beginnings for style. | Suddenly, she smiled. / Because it rained, we stayed. |
| 38. Use inversion for emphasis. | Never had I seen such beauty. |
| 39. Elliptical sentences omit understood parts. | Coming? (Are you coming?) |
| 40. Fragment sentences are acceptable in informal speech, not formal writing. | So cool! / Not again! |
| 41. Each sentence must have a complete thought in writing. | Avoid incomplete clauses. |
| 42. Use punctuation to mark sentence boundaries correctly. | Do not join two sentences with a comma. |
| 43. Run-on sentences confuse readers. | X I went home I slept. I went home, and I slept. |
| 44. Use colons or semicolons to link closely related ideas. | She had one goal: success. |
| 45. In narratives, vary sentence types to maintain rhythm. | Statements for calm, exclamations for drama. |
| 46. Each sentence should serve a clear purpose. | To inform, ask, command, or express emotion. |
| 47. Avoid mixing sentence functions. | X Where you are! (wrong mix of question and exclamation) |
| 48. Interrogative-exclamatory hybrids exist for emphasis. | What have you done! |
| 49. Always check the tone sentence type affects emotion and clarity. | Be clear if you are asking, commanding, or expressing. |
| 50. Mastering all sentence types helps you express anything clearly, politely, and powerfully. | That's what great writing is made of. |