Declaratives

Declarative sentences

Of the four main sentence functions, declarative sentences are the most common and are used daily in written and spoken English. Declarative sentences don't ask questions or give commands; they simply declare something. These declarations could be facts, opinions or explanations, and usually end with a full stop.

Fig 1. She likes chocolate

When should I use a declarative?

Declarative sentences are an absolute staple in the English language and can be seen and heard in literature, poetry, signs, the news, and in everyday speech ... just about anywhere!

We mainly use declarative sentences to state facts, share our opinions, or offer an explanation.

Declarative sentences examples

Let's take a look at some examples of declarative sentences:

Notice how these sentences simply make statements. They do not ask questions, give any commands, or express emotions such as anger or surprise.

Let's take a closer look at the last example:

'She asked me to water her plants.'

This is an indirect question embedded in a statement and is, therefore, still a declarative sentence. Be careful with your punctuation here! Indirect questions, or reported questions, always end with a full stop, not a question mark.

He asked if I wanted to go to the cinema? ❌

He asked if I wanted to go to the cinema. ✅

Examples of declarative sentences in literature

Let's take a look at some examples of declarative sentences used in English Literature.

Every sentence in this excerpt from Dr Seuss is a declarative sentence.

This quote from Oscar Wilde is an excellent example of a compound declarative sentence.

Declarative sentences structure

There are two different types of declarative sentences: simple declarative sentences and compound declarative sentences. Typically, declarative sentences consist of a subject (I, he, she, we, Hannah etc.) and a predicate (a word or phrase which tells what the subject does or is). The subject usually comes first.

Let's take a closer look at the different types of declarative sentences.

Simple declarative sentences

A simple declarative sentence has a straightforward structure consisting of a subject and a predicate. It can even be as simple as subject + a verb

Let's take a look at some simple declarative sentences:

Compound declarative sentences

A compound declarative sentence joins two related declarative clauses or phrases together using either a comma, a conjunction (e.g. but, yet, and) or a semicolon (;). You will often see the semicolon accompanied by a transition word (e.g. however, therefore, moreover).

Let's take a look at some examples of compound declarative sentences:

Fig 2. He wants to visit Berlin

Positive and negative declarative sentences

Declarative sentences can be both positive and negative. For example:

Declarative vs Interrogative

The difference between declarative sentences and interrogative sentences can be easy to spot for two different reasons. First, interrogative sentences ask direct questions and always end with a question mark, whereas declarative sentences make a statement and end with a full stop. Second, when forming interrogative sentences, the word order is usually switched from subject + verb to verb + subject.

Declarative vs Exclamative

Declarative sentences are used to make statements, whereas exclamative sentences are used to make exclamations. Another way to tell the two apart is that exclamative sentences always contain the words what or how. Sentences that express strong emotions and end with an exclamation mark but do not contain the words what or how are called exclamatory sentences. For example, 'I hate taking exams! '

Declarative vs imperative

The difference between declarative and imperative sentences can be easy to spot once you understand their basic functions. To put it simply, declarative sentences make a statement, and imperative sentences give a command. Declarative sentences always end with a full stop, whereas imperative sentences can end with either a full stop or an exclamation mark. Imperative sentences will also contain an imperative verb, such as stop, give, sit, stand, and wait.