Declarative Sentences: Usage and Examples
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Declarative Sentences: Usage and Examples
The English language includes four types of sentences: declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and imperative. This discussion will focus on declarative sentences.
What Is a Declarative Sentence?
Where the other sentence types present questions (interrogative), exclamations (exclamatory), or commands (imperative), declarative sentences convey information as facts, thoughts, or opinions—i.e., they “declare” something.
Note the differences among the sentence forms:
Interrogative: Do you run?
Exclamatory: You are running!
Imperative: Run!
Declarative: You run.
As you can see, if a sentence asks a question, imparts a strong expression or emotion, or issues a command, it is not declarative.
Declarative sentences are the most common sentence form in English. They likely make up the majority of what you write each day.
How Do You Form a Declarative Sentence?
All a sentence needs to be declarative is a subject and a verb (he sings). These two elements alone constitute an independent clause, one that can stand alone without requiring anything else to complete it.
Declarative sentences might often have a linear progress that follows the word order subject > verb > object > place > time according to the information the writer wishes to convey. Declarative sentences also always end with a period (as opposed to a question mark or an exclamation point).
Let’s look at a series of declarative sentences that begin with a basic subject and verb and then continue adding elements.
He sings. (subject > verb)
He sings pop songs. (subject > verb > object)
He sings pop songs at the local tavern. (subject > verb > object > place)
He sings pop songs at the local tavern on weekends. (subject > verb > object > place > time)
Declarative sentences can be simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
Simple: one independent clause
He sings pop songs at the local tavern.Compound: two or more independent clauses
He sings pop songs at the local tavern, and he also sings in the choir at church.Complex: one independent clause and at least one dependent clause
Because he loves to perform, he sings pop songs at the local tavern.Compound-complex: two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause
Because he loves to perform, he sings pop songs at the local tavern, and he also sings in the choir at church.
What Are Other Examples of Declarative Sentences?
A declarative sentence can contain a direct question:
“Who is that amazing singer?” Eshima asked.
Eshima asked, “Who is that amazing singer?” (The question mark is part of the quotation as opposed to the close of the declarative statement.)
Eshima paused—who was that amazing singer?—while she was talking to me.
A declarative sentence might express an indirect question as well:
I wonder if he will sing my favorite song by Bananarama.
The sentence includes a question, but it is not direct because it is stated in a declarative way. To make it a direct question (i.e., an interrogative sentence), we would start the sentence with the verb: Will he sing my favorite song by Bananarama?
Pop Quiz
Identify each sentence as either declarative or not declarative.
1. How did Charles make that hang glider?
2. Bring that bucket with you.
3. The weather should be pleasant tomorrow.
4. Man, am I tired!
5. This stereo system is much better than the one you have.
Pop Quiz Answers
1. How did Charles make that hang glider? not declarative
2. Bring that bucket with you. not declarative
3. The weather should be pleasant tomorrow. declarative
4. Man, am I tired! not declarative
5. This stereo system is much better than the one you have. declarative
If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
These days, too many declarative sentences are spoken as interrogative sentences, otherwise known as “uptalking.”
Thank you for this excellent and clear reminder!