Types of sentence

There are four types of sentence. A statement tells you something, a question asks something, a command tells someone to do something, and an exclamation shows strong feeling. The first words and the mark at the end help you tell them apart.

Key facts

  • A statement tells you something and ends with a full stop: ⟦The cat is asleep.⟧
  • A question asks something and ends with a question mark. It often starts with a question word (⟦who⟧, ⟦what⟧, ⟦where⟧, ⟦when⟧, ⟦why⟧, ⟦how⟧) or a verb like ⟦do⟧, ⟦can⟧ or ⟦is⟧: ⟦Can you swim?⟧
  • A command tells someone to do something. It usually starts with a verb, and ends with a full stop or an exclamation mark: ⟦Close the door.⟧ ⟦Stop!⟧
  • In school grammar, an exclamation starts with ⟦What⟧ or ⟦How⟧ and ends with an exclamation mark: ⟦What a lovely day!⟧ ⟦How tall you are!⟧
  • Be careful: ⟦What time is it?⟧ starts with ⟦What⟧ but asks something, so it is a question.

Worked examples

Example 1

What type of sentence is ⟦Wash your hands before lunch.⟧?

  1. It starts with the verb ⟦Wash⟧.
  2. It tells someone what to do, so it is a command.

Answer: a command

Example 2

What type of sentence is ⟦How fast the cheetah runs!⟧?

  1. It starts with ⟦How⟧ and ends with an exclamation mark.
  2. It shows strong feeling (surprise), so it is an exclamation.

Answer: an exclamation

Example 3

Punctuate: ⟦where is my hat⟧

  1. It asks something, so it is a question.
  2. Start with a capital letter and end with a question mark: ⟦Where is my hat?⟧

Answer: ⟦Where is my hat?⟧