Sentence Types
A sentence is a group of words that tells us something. There are different kinds of sentences, and each one does a different job.
What You'll Learn
- How to tell the difference between a statement, a question, and a command
- Which punctuation mark to use at the end of each sentence type
When to Use
- Telling someone something: "The bird is on the tree." (This is a statement.)
- Asking something: "Where is my bag?" (This is a question.)
- Telling someone to do something: "Sit down, please." (This is a command.)
How to Form
Every sentence starts with a capital letter. The punctuation mark at the end tells you what type of sentence it is.
| Sentence Type | What It Does | End Mark | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statement | tells something | full stop (.) | I like my school. |
| Question | asks something | question mark (?) | Do you like cats? |
| Command | tells someone to do something | full stop (.) | Open your book. |
Remember: A question always ends with a question mark (?). Statements and commands end with a full stop (.).
Key Rules
- A statement tells: It gives information. It ends with a full stop. "My name is Mei Ling."
- A question asks: It wants to find out something. It ends with a question mark. "What is your name?"
- A command orders: It tells someone what to do. It ends with a full stop. "Close the door."
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Where is my pen. | Where is my pen? | A question needs a question mark |
| i like to read. | I like to read. | A sentence always starts with a capital letter |
| Sit down? | Sit down. | This is a command, not a question, so use a full stop |
Clue Words
Words that start a question:
who, what, where, when, why, how, do, does, is, are, can
Words that start a command:
sit, stand, open, close, put, come, stop, look, write, read
A command often starts with an action word. It tells you to do something right away.
Tip: If the sentence wants an answer, it is a question. If it tells you to do something, it is a command. If it just tells you something, it is a statement.
Practice Tips
- Check the ending: Read the sentence and look at the last mark. A full stop means it is a statement or command. A question mark means it is a question.
- Ask yourself: "Does this sentence want me to answer, do something, or just know something?" This helps you decide the sentence type.
Quick Reference
| Type | Starts With | Ends With | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statement | any word (capital letter) | full stop (.) | The cat is sleeping. |
| Question | question word or helping word | question mark (?) | Is the cat sleeping? |
| Command | action word (capital letter) | full stop (.) | Feed the cat. |