Types of sentence · Grade 1
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.?
Answer: a command
Example 2
What type of sentence is How fast the cheetah runs!?
Answer: an exclamation
Example 3
Punctuate: where is my hat
Answer: Where is my hat?