Grammar For IELTS- What are the Various Types of Sentences in English?

Here we are, with another topic reflecting the importance of grammar that is the types of sentences in English. A sentence is basically a group of words that make sense. If words are not arranged in an ordered manner, it will create no sense and your message will not be communicated. So sentence structure plays an important role, not only in the English language but in any language.

After learning word formation, students must be aware of sentence structure and there are different types of sentences that will be the highlight of this article today.

IELTS Online Preparation Course!!

What is a Sentence?

A sentence is a group of words that makes sense. Without an order of words, sense will not be created. Its basic structure is subject+ verb+ object.

Components of the Sentence-

A sentence is formed in two parts that are, subject and predicate.

• The subject is the noun or pronoun of whom the sentence is about. It is affixed in the front part of the sentence. For example- John is cooking.

Here John is a subject.

• The predicate is the rest of the part of the sentence that depicts what a subject does. For example- John is cooking.

Here is cooking is the predicate.

How many types of sentences are there in English Grammar?

Part 1

Here are basically four kinds of sentences which are as follows:-

1. Affirmative or Declarative Sentences

Affirmative or declarative types of sentences are the sentences that are common types of sentences. It is a simple statement that gives information or tells us something.

For example

• Mr. Brown is 35 years old.
• Martha is learning to dance.
• The sunsets in the West.

These common sentences just end with a full stop and it is composed of subject and predicate. The order of this sentence is subject+ verb+ object.

Affirmative Negative Sentence

A negative sentence is a not sentence that tells that statement is not positive. The word (not) is used after the subject and helping verb.

• Martha is not learning to dance.
• The sun does not set in the East.
• Mr. Brown is not 35 years old.

2. Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences are the type of sentences that usually ends up with a question mark or these are question type of sentences in which a question is asked. The structure of an interrogative question is that the helping verb is used before a noun and a pronoun in a sentence. Helping verb+ subject+ an object?

For example

• Did you make a noise?
• Will you participate in the competition today?
• Can you do this task?
• Is he working in this company as a sales manager?

Interrogative Negative Sentence

Putting a not in between makes a sentence negative. However, the use of not in an interrogative sentence is done after the subject. For example:-

• Did you not make a noise? (Kya tum ne shor nahi daala?)
• Will you not participate in the competition today?
• Can you not do this task?
• Is he not working in this company?

3. Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences are the type of sentences that give command or order. It is also known as a command sentence in which an order is issued to the listener. The structure of an imperative sentence is sometimes informal or the language used is informal.

For example

• Give me a glass of water.
• Do your work properly.
• Do make a noise.
• Go and get yourself vaccinated.

Negative Imperative Sentences

Again it is an order not to do something. It is basically a restraining order given to the listener which restricts them to do something.

For example:-

• Do not give me a glass of water.
• Do not work properly.
• Do not make a noise.
• Don’t get yourself vaccinated.

Imperative Interrogative Sentences

An imperative sentence is sometimes asked in the form of an A question too, which makes it of this particular type. It is a question statement asked in the form of a command or an order only.

For example:-

• Will you do your work?
• Shall we go out now?
• Will you please stop making noise?

4. Exclamatory Sentences

An exclamatory type of sentence is a sentence that expresses great emotions such as an emotion of happiness, anger, sadness, joy, Excitement, surprise, grief, etc. These types of sentences usually end up with a sign of exclamation.

For example

• Ah! What great news it is!
• Hurrah! We won the match.
• What an exciting movie it was!

Negative Exclamatory Sentences

When the emotions are expressed using a negative form in a sentence makes a sentence of this type. It is making a statement is an expression of emotion as a question. Complicated? Well, let’s not make it more complex and give some examples.

For example:-

• Hey! Don’t you know how to prepare this dish!
• Ah! What great news it is! Isn’t it?

A structure of an exclamatory sentence is not necessarily an order of a simple sentence. Still, this type of sentence makes sense as the emotions are in the form of words that come out suddenly. In these types of sentences, the helping verb can be used at the last to express fully.

Part 2

Another set of types of sentences is

1. Simple Sentence

A simple sentence is just like an affirmative sentence and is a complete sentence on its own. It gives the whole information in one sentence only and is an independent one. It is a complete thought in itself.

For example:-

• John is living next door.
• Mr. Gupta is not doing his shift work.
• The boys went to the park.

2. Compound Sentence

Another type is a type of compound sentence where the two or more independent simple clauses are connected with a conjunction. Remember that these sentences are independent of one another and make complete sense.

For example:-

• Arthur is writing a letter whereas Michal is going to post it.

Here, in this sentence, the conjunction whereas is connecting two independent sentences and both the sentences can independently make sense.

3. Complex Sentence

A complex sentence is a hybrid of a simple and complex sentence. It contains one independent clause and the other one or more clauses are dependent on that independent one. In this type of sentence, one sentence is independent and another one is dependent on that sentence. The dependent clause had a subject and a verb but no complete thought.

For example:-

• John is writing a letter because of his promise to his mother.
• The boys went to the park as they had a match to play.
• Nowadays, due to automation, many banking systems are providing online services.

IELTS Exam of writing does not demand writing complex sentences but good IELTS Writing skills can give a higher band score. I hope you all are clear with the topic of sentences. Keep practicing for good writing

Best of luck!