Table of Contents
Types of sentences 1
1. Assertive Sentences :
1) An assertive sentence makes a statement. It usually follows this
simple pattern:
e.g. Pranav bought a ticket.
Here Pranav is the subject and a ticket is the object of the verb bought
2. Assertive sentences are classified into two: affirmative and
negative
1) in affirmative sentences, the verb states something positive,
affirmative sentences are sometimes called positive sentences.
ex. I love chocolates.
2) in negative sentences, the verb states something negative
ex. I don’t love chocolates.
3) Typically a clause or sentence is made negative by adding not or n’t
to the primary verb or to the first (or only) auxiliary.
ex. a) This is not difficult.
4) In the absence of an auxiliary, the auxiliary do is introduced.
ex. I don’t love chocolates.
5) Sentences may also be made negative by using other negative
words like nothing, no, nobody, never, etc.
ex. a) There is nothing to do. b) It is no trouble c) Nobody told me.
Types of sentences 1
2. Interrogative sentences:
An interrogative sentence is nothing but a question. There are two
basic types of interrogative sentences.
– questions that start with ‘wh-words.
-questions that need a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.
1) Wh-questions are formed with a ‘wh’ word followed by either
a primary auxiliary verb.(be, have, do) or a modal verb (can,
may, should etc.)
ex.a) Where are you going? Why has she left so early? What do
you want for dinner?
b) Whose room can I use?/Which road should I take? Who could
be the president?
2) Yes/No questions require the answers yes or no
‘yes’ ‘no’ questions are also formed with either a primary
auxiliary verb or a modal verb. we put the primary auxiliary or
modal verb before the subject, and the main verb comes after the
subject
ex.
a) Is she tired?
b) Have they come?
c) Do you like chocolates? d) May I come in?
e) Can you take a message for me?
We must answer Yes/No strucitly according to the facts, whether
the question is in the affirmative or negative. The following two
questions. For example, really cal for the same answer.
ex. Haven’t you been to work today?
Have you been to work today?
If you have bee to work, answer yes If you haven’, answer No. to
avoid ambiguity we may say ‘yes, I have’ or No, I haven’t this makes
the answer perfectly clear.
Types of sentences 1
3. Imperative sentences:
An imperative sentence gives a command, an order, directions,
instructions a request. Imperative sentences use the infinitive form of
the verb without to an imperative sentence, we also usually drop the
pronoun you.
1) Command – ex fall in line.
2) Order – ex. Don’t ask any questions.
3) Directions – e.g. turn left then take a right.
4) Instructions – e.g. Take one tablet, three times a day
5) Request – e.g. leave me alone.
Types of sentences 1
4) Exclamatory sentences:
An exclamatory sentence sues words that express strong feelings
such as surprise, delight, excitement, horror or pain. There is an
exclamation mark at the end of the sentence or after the word. There
are different ways to make exclamatory sentences.
1) made up of just one word.
Ex. Ouch! Whow! Fantastic!
2) beginning with question words
By a suitable change of words, affirmative sentences may be
ex. a) What beautiful weather!
b) How kind of you!
c) What a pity!
Types of sentences 1
5. Interchange of affirmative and negative sentences:
changed into negative and vice versa. E.g.
a) Every man is fallible. (affirmative)
no man is infallible (Negative)
b) As soon as he saw me, he ran away. (affirmative)
– No sooner had he seen me than he ran away. (negative)
c) I am taller than my brother. (affirmative)
– my brother is not as tallas I. (negative)
1) a) Not many man are wise. (Negative.)
– Few men are wise.(affirmative)
B) She did not open her mouth.(affirmative)
c) Learned men are not always prudent. (negative.)
– Learned men are sometimes imprudent. (affirmative)
Types of Sentences 2
6. Interchange of interrogative and assertive sentences:
Rhetorical questions. (statements or assertions put in the form of
questions for the sake of literary effect) are usually changed into
statements and vice versa.
ex.
1) a) When can their glory fade? (interrogative)
– their glory can never fade. (assertive)
b) Is the sword mightier than the pan? (interrogative.)
– Surely the pen is mightier than the sword. (assertive)
2) a) This is a strange freedom which is enforced with whips and
fetters” (assertive)
What sort of freedom is this which is enforced with whips
and fetters?(interrogative)
b) No man can be made good by law. (assertive)
– Can any man be made good by law?(interrogative)
Types of sentences 1
7. Exclamatory sentences
Exclamatory Sentences are used to express a strong feeling of some
kind. Joy anger, horror, surprise, etc. In changing such sentences into
some kind of statement, care must be taken to use such words and
expressions as will convey the feeling represented in the exclamatory
sentence.
ex.
1) a) How kind you arel (exclamatory)
b) You are certainly very kind. (assertive)
2) a) what a beautiful day it is! (exclamatory)
b) It is really a beautiful day. (assertive)
c) Isn’t it a very beautiful day? (interrogative)
1. Make the following negative sentences affirmative without
change of meaning:
1. I’m not so sure, now.
2) He will not be able to stop them.
3) I don’t remember.
4) I can do no more.
5) Sir, do not anger her.
6) I shall not want many soldiers.
2. Rewrite the following sentences as assertive.
1) Why didn’t you come earlier?
2) How frightened their eyes look!
3) Should I accept such shackles of slavery?
4) What can one person do?
3. Identify the type of sentences;
1. I didn’t have much to say.
2. I had never bought a ticket in my life.
3. Are they afraid of her?
4. Why didn’t you tell me so, you blockhead?
5. I don’t neet beautiful armour made.
6. To free Orleans!
7. Don’t lose faith.
8. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick.
9. “And what is that?
10. How did that affect you preparations?”
11. Oh, don’t say that!
12. Are you still hungry?
4. Change the following into assertive sentences;
1. Is there anything else left for us to think?
2. What if we too livd our life, however short, to its fullest?
3. It the world so poor that it can’t give me a toy and a book…?
4.”what are we waiting for?”
5. How can you do it keeping just one drop of water in
beak?
6. “How is it possible?”
7. “Could you have done it?”
8. “How time does fly!”
9. “Why don’t you follow my example and just eat one thing?”
10. “Eight dollars a week or a million a year what is the
difference?”