Declarative Sentence: Meaning, Examples, Types & Worksheet

What is Declarative Sentence?

A declarative sentence meaning according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is a sentence that makes a statement or states a fact. This means a sentence is simply about making a statement, stating a fact, or conveying an opinion. It typically ends with a period or full stop and follows a subject-verb structure. Like other sentence types, declarative sentences generally require a subject (the noun doing the action) and predicate (the verb of action). This combination forms an independent clause, which is necessary for a complete sentence. Hopefully, you understood the declarative sentence meaning very well.

Examples of Declarative Sentences

Explore some examples of declarative sentences below-

1. He wanted to go to the grocery store, but she wanted to go to the bar.

2. I think people should save more money.

3. Jawahar Lal Nehru was the first prime minister of India.

4. My brother is a really good football player.

5. The cat sleeps on the couch.

Types of Declarative Sentences with Examples

Declarative sentences are used to make statements or express facts, opinions, or ideas. While they generally share the same structure, they can be categorized based on their purpose or tone. Here are some types of declarative sentences:

1. Simple Declarative Sentence

A simple declarative sentence is a statement that conveys information using a single independent clause (a subject and a predicate). This means it contains one subject and one predicate. This is the most common type of sentence, which expresses a complete thought, ending with a period.

For Example:

• How are you?
• The sky is blue.
• He built a house.

2. Compound Declarative Sentence

A compound sentence contains more than one independent clause. These clauses can be connected with a conjunction such as and, but, so, or, for, yet, or nor, which typically requires a comma sometimes. We can also connect independent clauses by using a semicolon before the conjunction.

For Example:

• I like to read, but my brother prefers watching series.
• The sun is shining, so we can go to the beach.
• The cake was delicious; it was the best I have ever tasted.

3. Complex Declarative Sentence

A complex declarative sentence in English contains one independent and at least one dependent clause, which makes it more detailed than a simple sentence. The dependent clause is connected by subordinating conjunctions like because, if, although, since, etc.

For Example:

• Although it was raining, we went to the park.
• If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
• Because he was tired, he went to bed early.

4. Compound-Complex Declarative Sentence

A compound-complex declarative sentence in English has two or more independent and at least one dependent clause. Generally, compound-complex type of sentences are too long and contain a significant amount of information. Any clause does not need to be in a specific sequence, there must be only two independent and a minimum of one subordinate clause.

For Example:

• Because the weather was nice, we decided to go to the beach, and we packed some delicious food.
• The kids were excited about the trip, but the parents were anxious because of the traffic, and they decided to leave earlier.
• After he finished his homework, he called his friends to play, but they couldn't come because they were busy.

With the above information, you have explored the types of declarative sentence along with various examples.

Uses of a Declarative Sentence with Examples

There are different uses of a declarative sentence in English grammar. However, these types of sentences are primarily used to make statements, share information, and express opinions or facts. Moreover, these are kinds of daily use English sentences or often used in everyday communication.  Here is a detailed breakdown of the uses of declarative sentences, along with examples.

A) Providing Information:

Declarative sentences are used to share general facts or details about different topics. These can also convey specific information and explanations about various topics to the audience. For example:

1. The book is about the history of Rome.

2. The capital of India is New Delhi.

3. The meeting will be held tomorrow.

4. The store is open until 9 p.m.

B) Making Statements

These declarative sentence are the foundation for conveying information and opinions. These sentences are straightforward and end with a period, which makes them easy to understand. For example:

1. I am happy to be here.

2. We have reached our destination.

3. He is responsible for his actions.

4. She will be arriving shortly.

C) Giving Explanations

Declarative sentences are often associated with facts and can also be used to express personal opinions or beliefs. These sentences are generally a way to assert a viewpoint without seeking information. For example:

1. I think chocolate is the best flavor of ice cream.

2. In my opinion, cats are better than dogs.

3. I believe that education is important.

4. I feel that everyone deserves a second chance.

D) Everyday Communication

The use of a declarative sentence can also be seen in daily life or everyday communication. Apart from this, these are used to share personal experiences, discuss events, and communicate ideas in casual settings. For example:

1. The dog is barking loudly.

2. The sun is shining brightly today.

3. He is a successful entrepreneur.

4. The restaurant is very crowded.

Finally, you know the use of declarative sentence in English very well from the above information.

Tips for Writing Declarative Sentences

Writing declarative sentences correctly is crucial for clear and effective communication. To write effective declarative sentences, make sure you make a clear statement that ends with a period and follows a basic structure of subject and verb. Moreover, here are some tips that may help you write these sentences.

• Identify the subject and verb in your sentence, which helps to form the core of your statement.
• Follow a proper subject-verb order to create a clear and logical sentence structure.
• Make sure your sentence contains clear and concise language. For that, avoid unnecessary words or phrases.
• There are a variety of transition words that help connect sentences and create a smoother flow of ideas. Try to make good use of them in sentences.
• Always end your declarative sentence with a period and double-check them for grammar, punctuation, and clarity.

Also read: Action words

Worksheet - Identify the Types of Sentences

Read the following sentences and identify which ones are declarative. Write "Declarative" next to the sentence, or "Not Declarative" if it is not a declarative sentence.

1. The sky is blue. __________
2. How are you? __________
3. My favorite color is green. __________
4. Please open the window. __________
5. I went to the store yesterday. __________
6. Do you like pizza? __________
7. The cat is sleeping on the couch. __________
8. Close the door. __________
9. I enjoy reading books. __________
10. Is she coming to the party? __________

Answer Key

1. Declarative
2. Not Declarative (It's an interrogative sentence)
3. Declarative
4. Not Declarative (It's an imperative sentence)
5. Declarative
6. Not Declarative (It's an interrogative sentence)
7. Declarative
8. Not Declarative (It's an imperative sentence)
9. Declarative
10. Not Declarative (It's an interrogative sentence)

Conclusion

To conclude, we have discussed the declarative sentence meaning, types, uses, and overall things in detail. In this blog, we have also given a worksheet that contains a good number of practice questions along with the answers. Hopefully, with the above information, you have got clear understanding of declarative sentences. So, if you found this beneficial for your language improvement, it is time to explore more blogs like tenses, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, adverbs, etc, to grasp good knowledge.

FAQs

1. What Is a Sentence in English?

The sentence is a group of words in English that contains a subject and a verb to express a statement, a question etc. A sentence always begin with a capital letter and ends with a full stop(.).

2. How can I identify a declarative sentence?

You can identify a declarative sentence by checking if it makes a statement and ends with a period. It should not be a question, command, or exclamation.

3. Can a declarative sentence ask a question?

No, declarative sentences cannot ask questions. If the sentence asks a question, it is an interrogative sentence, not a declarative one.

4. What are some examples of declarative sentences?

Examples include:

• "The dog is barking."
• "I love reading books."
• "She is my best friend."

5. How can I turn a question into a declarative sentence?

To change a question into a declarative sentence, remove the question word (e.g., "What," "How," "Is") and turn the sentence into a statement. For example, "What time is it?" becomes "It is 3 o'clock."