The Definition of a Declarative Sentence and How It is Used in English
A declarative sentence, one of the four main functions of the English language, is used to convey information, share opinions, or state facts.
Examples of Declarative Sentences
Here are some examples of declarative sentences:
- She has a preference for chocolate.
- The city of Paris is the capital of France.
- I personally find puppies to be adorable.
- The outfit looks quite nice.
- She politely requested that I water her plants.
As you can see, these sentences simply make statements without posing questions or expressing emotions.
Main Uses of Declarative Sentences
Declarative sentences are primarily used to state facts, share opinions, or provide explanations. They are commonly found in literature, poetry, signs, news, and everyday conversations.
The Two Types of Declarative Sentences
There are two types of declarative sentences: simple and compound.
Simple Declarative Sentences
A simple declarative sentence follows a basic structure that consists of a subject and a predicate. It can be as simple as subject + verb.
Here are some examples of simple declarative sentences:
- The girl runs.
- My coffee is cold.
- The laptop is not functioning.
Compound Declarative Sentences
A compound declarative sentence links two related clauses or phrases together by using a comma, conjunction, or semicolon followed by a transitional word.
Here are some examples of compound declarative sentences:
- Lily dislikes singing, but she loves dancing.
- He has watched all eight seasons of Game of Thrones, yet he has not read any of the books.
- I have a desire to visit Berlin; however, I lack the necessary funds.
- The house was dark, and no one was home.
Distinguishing Declarative Sentences from Other Sentence Types
Declarative sentences can be differentiated from other sentence types based on their function:
- Declarative vs. Imperative: Declaratives make a statement, while imperatives give a command.
- Declarative vs. Exclamative: While both can convey a fact, exclamatives tend to express more emotion and must include the words "what" or "how".
In Conclusion
- A declarative sentence is a type of sentence used to make a statement.
- It can be simple or compound and always ends with a period.
- Declaratives are the most common sentence type and are used to state facts, share opinions, or offer explanations.
