W.S Maugham

Traditionally English sentences are classified by their structure and purpose.

Based on their purpose we distinguish the following four types of the sentences:

A declarative sentence (declaration) – makes a statement. It ends with a period: The day was lovely.

An interrogative sentence - asks a question for obtaining new information. It ends with an interrogative mark - Are you coming with us? There is a special type of interrogative sentences called rhetorical questions which generally do not require a reply. They are used more for emotional effect.

“How many times do I have to remind you of that? “.

Some of the rhetoric questions have become idioms:

“Who cares?”, "How should I know?”, "Are you kidding me?”.

An exclamatory sentence (exclamation) is a more emotional version of a common statement and it ends with an exclamation mark: What a lovely day!

An imperative sentence (command, order) – is usually a demand, request or call for action: Let’s forget about it. Do try to understand me.

According to their structure all the variety of English sentences can be divided into four types:

• Simple sentence comprises a subject and a predicate (as well as secondary parts of a sentence): She (subject) invited (predicate) us to dinner.
• Compound sentence unites two independent clauses brought together by a semicolon or a comma + a coordinating conjunction: She keeps telling me to control myself, but she never does herself.
• Complex sentence consists of the main clause and at least one subordinate clause: Although he is trying to convince me (subordinate clause), I do not believe a single word he says. (Main clause).
• Compound-complex sentence has two main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions and joined by a coordinating conjunction:

I opened the parcel, but the boy disappeared before I could utter a word.

For more detailed information on compound, complex and complex-compound sentences see a separate section of our guide.