Declarative Sentences in English

Introduction

In English grammar, a declarative sentence is a sentence that makes a statement, shares a fact, provides an explanation, or conveys information clearly and straightforwardly. Often referred to as declarative statements, these sentences are the most common type of sentence in English.

This blog post will explore what declarative sentences are, how they work, and why they’re so important.

Let’s get started!

What Is a Declarative Sentence?

A declarative sentence is a type of sentence that makes a statement, shares information, or expresses an opinion clearly and directly. It always ends with a period (.) and is used to convey facts, thoughts, or ideas without requiring a response.

Declarative sentences can be either positive (affirming something) or negative (denying something), and they are known for their simplicity and clarity. As the most common type of sentence in English, they form the backbone of both written and spoken communication.

Examples:

• The sun rises in the east.
• I enjoy hiking on weekends.
• She doesn’t like spicy food.

As you can see, declarative sentences are simple yet powerful. They help us share information in a clear and direct way.

Structure of Declarative Sentences

Declarative sentences follow a basic structure:

Subject + Verb + Object/Complement (if needed)

Here’s how it works:

1. Subject: The person, place, thing, or idea performing the action.
2. Verb: The action or state of being.
3. Object: The receiver of the action (optional).

Examples:

• Subject + Verb: “Birds fly.”
• Subject + Verb + Object: “She reads books.”
• Subject + Verb + Complement: “The sky is blue.”

This structure makes declarative sentences easy to construct and understand.

However, sentences aren’t always as simple as the examples above. Sometimes, they can be more sophisticated, combining multiple ideas or clauses to convey complex thoughts. These advanced structures include complex sentences, compound sentences, and compound-complex sentences, each serving a unique purpose in communication.

Types of Declarative Sentence Structures

As mentioned above, declarative sentences can also be categorized based on the complexity of their structure.

While some are simple and straightforward, others are more intricate, combining multiple clauses to express detailed or nuanced ideas. These structures include simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences, each offering a unique way to organize and convey information.

1. Simple: Contains one independent clause (e.g., “She reads books.”).
2. Compound: Compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction (e.g., “I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.”).
3. Complex: A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause (e.g., “Although it was late, we decided to stay.”).
4. Compound-Complex: A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses (e.g., “I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain, which made it impossible to go outside.“).

Types of Declarative Sentences

Declarative sentences can be divided into two main types:

1. Positive Declarative Sentences

These sentences state something factual or affirmative.

• Examples:
  • “The cat is sleeping.”
  • “I love chocolate.”
  • “They completed the project on time.”

2. Negative Declarative Sentences

These sentences state something that is not true or express a lack of something.

• Examples:
  • “The cat is not sleeping.”
  • “I don’t like coffee.”
  • “They didn’t finish the project.”

Both types are equally important and help us express a wide range of ideas.

How Do Declarative Sentences Compare to Other Sentence Types?

While declarative sentences are the most common, they are just one of the four main types of sentences in English. Here’s how they compare to the others:

1. Declarative vs. Interrogative Sentences

While declarative sentences are used to make statements, interrogative sentences are used to ask questions.

In English, interrogative sentences follow different rules compared to declarative sentences. First, they always end with a question mark (?). Second, their word order typically follows this structure:

Auxiliary Verb/Wh-word -> Subject -> Main Verb -> Object

Let’s break this down with examples. First, consider a simple declarative sentence:

• “The weather in Canada is colder than in Mexico.”

Now, let’s rephrase this as an interrogative sentence. Notice the changes in word order and punctuation:

• “Is the weather in Canada colder than in Mexico?”

Here’s another example:

• Declarative: “She speaks French fluently.”
• Interrogative: “Does she speak French fluently?”

Interrogative sentences can also begin with Wh-words (who, what, when, where, why, how) to ask for specific information:

• “Where did you learn to speak French?”
• “Why is the weather in Canada so cold?”

To sum up:

• Declarative: Makes a statement or shares information (e.g., “The sky is blue.”).
• Interrogative: Asks a question to gather information (e.g., “Is the sky blue?”).

Key Difference: Declarative sentences provide information, while interrogative sentences seek information.

2. Declarative vs. Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences are used to give commands, make requests, or offer instructions. In other words, they direct someone to do something, whether politely or firmly. For example:

• “Close the door.”
• “Please send me the report.”

Unlike other sentence types, imperative sentences often do not require a subject. This is because the subject is implied to be the person being addressed (usually “you”). Since the subject is understood, it’s typically omitted to make the sentence more direct and concise.

Imperative sentences usually begin with a verb but can also include polite modifiers like “please” or introductory phrases for context. They can end with either a period (.) or an exclamation mark (!), depending on the tone—calm or urgent. For example:

• “Turn off the lights.” (calm instruction)
• “Hurry up!” (urgent command)

Here are some examples of imperative sentences in action:

• “When visiting France, try the local cuisine.”
• “Please speak more slowly!”

To sum up:

• Declarative: States a fact, suggestion, or opinion (e.g., “You should close the door.”).
• Imperative: Gives a command, request, or instruction (e.g., “Close the door.”).

Key Difference: Declarative sentences inform or state, while imperative sentences direct or instruct.

3. Declarative vs. Exclamatory Sentences

When discussing the difference between declarative and exclamatory sentences, it’s important to note that while they may sometimes share the same structure, they serve entirely different purposes.

The key distinction lies in their punctuation and tone: declarative sentences end with a period (.), while exclamatory sentences end with an exclamation mark (!).

For example, the sentence “She got the top score!” is considered exclamatory because it conveys strong emotion and ends with an exclamation mark. However, if the same sentence were written as “She got the top score.”, it would be classified as declarative, as it simply states a fact without emotional emphasis.

To sum up:

• Declarative: Shares information in a neutral tone (e.g., “It’s a beautiful day.” — “She got the top score.” ).
• Exclamatory: Expresses strong emotion or excitement (e.g., “What a beautiful day!” — “She got the top score!”).

Key Difference: Declarative sentences are factual, while exclamatory sentences are emotional and emphatic.

Why Are Declarative Sentences Important?

Declarative sentences play a crucial role in communication for several key reasons:

1. Clarity: They deliver information in a clear and straightforward manner, ensuring that the reader or listener can easily grasp the message. For example, “The meeting starts at 10 a.m.” leaves no room for confusion.
2. Versatility: Declarative sentences are everywhere. They are incredibly flexible and can be used in virtually any context—whether you’re chatting with friends, writing an essay, or delivering a presentation.
3. Foundation for Complexity: Mastering declarative sentences provides a solid foundation for constructing more advanced sentence structures, such as compound or complex sentences. For instance, “I enjoy hiking, but I don’t like camping” builds on the simplicity of a declarative sentence.
4. Neutral Tone: They convey facts, opinions, or ideas without demanding a response, making them perfect for sharing information objectively. For example, “The Earth orbits the Sun” is a neutral statement that simply states a fact.

In essence, declarative sentences are the building blocks of effective communication, enabling us to share information clearly and confidently in any situation.

Examples of Declarative Sentences in Action

Let’s look at how declarative sentences are used in different literary works:

1. From Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

This iconic opening line is a classic example of a declarative sentence that states a societal “truth” with wit and irony.

2. From 1984 by George Orwell

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

This declarative sentence sets the tone for the novel by describing a specific moment in time, blending normalcy with an unsettling detail.

3. From The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.”

This declarative sentence reflects Gatsby’s idealism and the novel’s theme of unattainable dreams.

4. From A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

This famous opening line uses parallel declarative sentences to contrast the duality of the era.

5. From The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

“He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream.”

This declarative sentence introduces the protagonist and sets the stage for the story’s themes of solitude and perseverance.

Tips for Using Declarative Sentences Effectively

1. Keep It Simple: Avoid overcomplicating your sentences. Stick to the basic structure (Subject + Verb + Object) for clarity.
2. Vary Your Sentence Length: Mix short and long declarative sentences to keep your writing engaging.
3. Be Specific: Use precise language to convey your message clearly. For example, instead of “It’s nice,” say “The weather is warm and sunny.”
4. Use in Combination with Other Sentence Types: While declarative sentences are essential, combining them with interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory sentences can make your writing more dynamic.

Practice Time!

Let’s put your knowledge of declarative sentences to the test! Rewrite the following sentences as declarative sentences:

Declarative Sentences: True or False Quiz

Read each statement below and decide whether it is True or False. Write your answers in the comments, and we’ll reveal the correct answers later!

Conclusion

To sum up, declarative sentences are used to share facts, express opinions, and convey information in a clear and straightforward manner. They always end with a period (.) and can be either positive or negative. Declarative sentences can follow a variety of structures, including simple, complex, compound, and compound-complex, making them versatile and essential for effective communication.