Out of the four basic types of sentence in English, one is called declarative sentence which is also known as assertive sentence. A declarative or assertive sentence is a type of sentence that gives us a fact or makes a statement. Declarative sentences end with a full stop (period).
Declarative sentences can be positive or negative which declare something is or something is not. The usual grammatical construction or word order of declarative sentences is S+V+X (subject plus verb plus any other element)
Continue to read to learn declarative sentence definition, meaning, types and examples. This article covers the following topics:
According to Cambridge Dictionary, the word declarative means involving knowledge or facts as in "swimming is the best exercise.". A d eclarative sentence means a sentence that makes a declaration or statement as in "John is the best teacher.".
Declarative sentences are also known as assertive sentences, because the word assertive means to make a statement or express an opinion boldly which is one of the two meanings of the word declarative.
What is a declarative sentence in grammar? A declarative or assertive sentence is a type of sentence that makes a statement, relays information or expresses an opinion.
According to the definition, a declarative or assertive sentence is the one which:
1. makes a statement: The statement made by a declarative sentence can be positive or negative, and it can be important or unimportant as in "John is/is not a teacher." and "smoking is dangerous/injurious to health."
2. relays information: The information conveyed by a declarative sentence can be factual or non-factual as in "we produce sounds with the help of speech organs." and "all the planets move anticlockwise."
3. expresses an opinion: The opinion expressed by a declarative sentence can be any type of opinion such as biased, personal or collective opinion for example as in "I like red roses."
There's a reason behind the name of each and every sentence. We call a sentence interrogative, because it interrogates or questions; name a sentence imperative because it orders; term a sentence as exclamatory because it expresses exclamation or surprise.
A declarative sentence involves the announcement of a thought; that is, we declare and announce that something is or is not using declarative sentences. We call it a declarative sentence because it makes a declaration.
We also call a declarative sentence an assertive sentence, because it asserts, affirms and declares that something is or is not.
Now that you've understood what a declarative sentence means, learn the different structures of declarative sentences.
The sentence structure of declarative sentences is subject + verb + any other element. The below-given are the common constructions of declarative sentences.
1. S+V+O (subject + verb + object)
Example: I know him.
Example: The school will reopen in January.
3. S+V+O+Adv (subject + verb + object + adverb)
Example: John told me yesterday.
4. S+V+O+NP (subject + verb + object + noun phrase)
Example: John met me last week.
5. S+V+O+AdvP (subject + verb + object + adverbial phrase)
Example: They can't do it very quickly.
Here a few more examples of declarative or assertive sentences containing very important and minor statements.
1. Sofia is a social activist.
2. John is a teacher.
3. The sky is blue.
4. He doesn't believe in ghosts.
5. Smith can't run fast.
6. Abraham Lincoln was a great politician.
7. Newton was a great scientist.
8. I don't know him.
9. Smoking is injurious to health.
10. Earthquake is a natural disaster.
A declarative sentence makes a declaration which can be either positive or negative; that is, a declarative sentence tells us that something is or is not. Based on the use of the negative words used in English, t here're basically two types of declarative sentences. They're given below.
A positive declarative sentence, which is also known as affirmative sentence, is a type of declarative sentence that doesn't contain negative words such as 'no', 'never' or 'not'. A positive or affirmative declarative sentence simply asserts a fact. It doesn't ask a question nor express surprise.
1. I like apples.
2. John wants to talk to you.
3. My son goes to school everyday.
4. I am a regular student.
5. John is my friend.
A negative declarative sentence is a type of declarative sentence that contains negative words such as 'no', 'never' or 'not'. A negative declarative sentence negate a fact. It doesn't ask a question nor express surprise.
1. John doesn't like ice cream.
2. I don't know him.
3. I've never said so.
4. John is not my friend.
5. You're not a regular student.
It's an undeniable fact that the best way to identify something is to compare it with its counterparts. Look at the following comparisons made among the various types of sentences to better understand declarative sentences.
An imperative sentence structure is verb + any other element. It functions as an order. It's used with a hidden subject.
2. Do it quickly.
3. Get it packed for me.
On the other hand, a declarative sentence structure is subject + verb + any other element. It makes a declaration. It's used with an explicit subject. It ends with a full stop or period.
1. John is my friend.
2. I love my dad very much.
3. He cares about you.
An interrogative sentence structure is wh word/auxiliary verb/modal verb + subject + verb + any other element. An interrogative sentence is used to ask a question. It ends with a question mark.
1. Why are you late today?
2. Do you know him?
3. Can you help me please?
On the other hand, a declarative sentence structure is subject + verb + any other element. It makes a declaration. It's used with an explicit subject. It ends with a full stop or period.
1. John is my close friend.
2. I love my daughter very much.
3. He will never forgive you.
An exclamatory sentence structure is what + noun + subject + verb or how + adjective + subject + verb. An exclamatory, also known as exclamative sentence, is used to express surprise. It ends with a exclamation mark.
1. What an idiot person you are!
2. How beautiful she is!
On the other hand, a declarative sentence structure is subject + verb + any other element. It makes a declaration. It's used with an explicit subject. It ends with a full stop or period.
1. John is my best friend.
2. I love my mom very much.
3. He wants to talk to you.
What is a declarative sentence in grammar? A declarative or assertive sentence is a type of sentence that makes a statement, relays information or expresses an opinion.
What is a declarative sentence in grammar? A declarative or assertive sentence is a type of sentence that makes a statement, relays information or expresses an opinion as in "John is a kind student."
According to Cambridge Dictionary, the word, declarative means involving knowledge or facts as in "swimming is the best exercise.". A d eclarative sentence means a sentence that makes a declaration or statement as in "John is the best teacher.".
1. Sofia is a social activist.
2. John is a teacher.
3. The sky is blue.
4. He doesn't believe in ghosts.
5. Smith can't run fast.
6. Abraham Lincoln was a great politician.
7. Newton was a great scientist.
8. I don't know him.
9. Smoking is injurious to health.
10. Earthquake is a natural disaster.
Yes, because a declarative sentence is a type of sentence which functions as statement. The statement is made by a declarative sentence.
The difference between declarative sentence and sentence is that a declarative sentence is a type of sentence which makes a statement, whereas a sentence is a group of words which has four types such as declarative, imperative, interrogative and exclamatory sentences.
