OO.1 Statement, question, command, or exclamation?
What Is a Sentence?
A sentence is a group of words that tells a complete thought. Every sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark.
- The dog is running.
- I like to read.
Remember: A sentence must make sense on its own. It should not feel like something is missing.
Statement Sentences
A statement tells something. It ends with a period (.).
- The sun is shining.
- We are going to school.
Statements give information. If you are just telling something, it’s a statement.
Question Sentences
A question asks something. It ends with a question mark (?).
- Where is my pencil?
- Do you like apples?
Questions often begin with words like who, what, when, where, why, or how.
Command Sentences
A command tells someone to do something. It usually ends with a period (.), but sometimes can end with an exclamation point (!).
- Close the door.
- Please sit down!
Commands can be polite or firm. Look for action words that tell someone what to do.
Exclamation Sentences
An exclamation shows strong feeling. It ends with an exclamation point (!).
- Wow, that was fun!
- Look out!
Exclamations show excitement, surprise, or urgency. The exclamation point tells you to read it with strong feeling.
Putting It All Together
Sentences can tell, ask, command, or exclaim. Knowing the type of sentence helps you understand the meaning and how it should sound when read aloud.
- Statement: The cat is sleeping.
- Question: Is the cat sleeping?
- Command: Wake up the cat.
- Exclamation: The cat jumped up!
When you write, think about what you want to say: Are you telling, asking, commanding, or showing strong feeling?