Sentence purposes - Sentence types - Grammar Basics

Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021

Sentence purposes
Sentence types
Grammar Basics

Writers use declarative sentences to make statements, imperative sentences to issue requests or commands, interrogative sentences to ask questions, and exclamatory sentences to make exclamations.

DECLARATIVE

✵ The echo sounded in our ears.

IMPERATIVE

✵ Love your neighbor.

INTERROGATIVE

✵ Did the better team win tonight?

EXCLAMATORY

✵ We’re here to save you!

EXERCISE 50-1

Identify the following sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex. Identify the subordinate clauses and classify them according to their function: adjective, adverb, or noun. (See 49e.) Answers appear in the back of the book.

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a. Fires that are ignited in dry areas spread especially quickly.

b. The early Incas were advanced; they used a calendar and developed a decimal system.

c. Elaine’s jacket was too thin to block the wintry air.

d. Before we leave for the station, we always check the Amtrak website.

e. Decide when you want to leave, and I will be there to pick you up.