Declarative Sentences: What they are, and How to Use Them?

What are Declarative Sentences?

Declarative sentences are simple statements that tell us something. They provide information, share facts, or express opinions. These sentences always end with a period and are the most common type of sentence we use in both speaking and writing.

Declarative Sentences Examples

Subject + Verb

1. The baby / is sleeping.

2. They / arrived.

Subject + Verb + Object

1. We / watched / a movie.

2. He / brought / flowers.

Subject + Verb + Complement

1. The soup/smells / great.

2. The room / is / quiet.

Subject + Verb + Adjunct

1. She / finished/early.

2. I / left / on time.

Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Object

1. In the morning, / we / saw / a rainbow.

2. Last night, / she / called / her mother.

Here are some more examples of declarative sentences:

1. The sky is blue.

2. She loves to read books.

3. We went to the park yesterday.

4. He is a good basketball player.

5. The store opens at 9 AM.

6. They are planning a trip to Paris.

7. My favourite colour is green.

8. The dog is sleeping on the couch.

9. I finished my homework before dinner.

10. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

Types of Declarative Sentences

Declarative sentences can be broadly classified into two types:

1. Simple Declarative Sentences

2. Compound Declarative Sentences

Detailed Explanations of the Two Types of Declarative Sentences

1. Simple Declarative Sentences

Explanation: A simple declarative sentence consists of a single independent clause, which means it has one subject and one predicate. This type of sentence expresses a complete thought and provides straightforward information. Simple declarative sentences are the most basic form of declarative sentences and are commonly used in everyday communication.

Examples:

• The dog barks.

• Explanation: This sentence has one subject (the dog) and one predicate (barks), making it a simple declarative sentence.

• She likes apples.

• Explanation: Here, she is the subject, and likes apples is the predicate. The sentence provides a simple statement.

Key Points:

• Contains one subject and one predicate.

• Expresses a single idea or statement.

• Ends with a full stop.

2. Compound Declarative Sentences

Explanation: A compound declarative sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as "and," "but," "or," "so") or a semicolon. Each independent clause in a compound declarative sentence could stand alone as a simple declarative sentence, but they are combined to show a relationship between the ideas.

Examples:

• I finished my homework, and I watched TV.

• Explanation: This sentence has two independent clauses: I finished my homework and I watched TV. They are joined by the conjunction and, making it a compound declarative sentence.

• She wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.

• Explanation: The sentence combines two independent clauses: She wanted to go for a walk, and it started raining. The conjunction shows the contrast between the two ideas.

Key Points:

• Contains two or more independent clauses.

• Clauses are connected by coordinating conjunctions or a semicolon.

• Each clause expresses a complete thought, but they are linked to show a relationship between them.

• Ends with a full stop.

Examples of Simple Declarative Sentences (with Explanations)

1. Example: The cat sleeps on the couch.

• Explanation: One subject (the cat) and one predicate (sleeps on the couch), make a straightforward statement.

2. Example: She drinks coffee every morning.

• Explanation: One subject (she) and one predicate (drinks coffee every morning), providing a simple fact.

3. Example: The train arrives at 8 AM.

• Explanation: One subject (the train) and one predicate (arrives at 8 AM), expressing a specific piece of information.

4. Example: He reads a book before bed.

• Explanation: One subject (he) and one predicate (reads a book before bed), conveying a regular activity.

5. Example: The garden is full of flowers.

• Explanation: One subject (the garden) and one predicate (is full of flowers), describing a current state.

6. Example: The sun sets in the west.

• Explanation: One subject (the sun) and one predicate (sets in the west), stating a natural phenomenon.

7. Example: My brother plays the guitar.

• Explanation: One subject (my brother) and one predicate (plays the guitar), share a fact about someone.

8. Example: They live in a small town.

• Explanation: One subject (they) and one predicate (live in a small town), providing information about a location.

9. Example: The teacher explained the lesson.

• Explanation: One subject (the teacher) and one predicate (explained the lesson), describing an action.

10. Example: The movie starts at 7 PM.

• Explanation: One subject (the movie) and one predicate (starts at 7 PM), giving a specific time for an event.

Examples of Compound Declarative Sentences (with Explanations)

1. Example: I wanted to buy a dress, but it was too expensive.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: I wanted to buy the dress and it was too expensive, joined by but, showing contrast.

2. Example: She loves to dance, and he enjoys singing.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: She loves to dance and he enjoys singing, connected by and, indicating two related actions.

3. Example: He finished his project, so he went out to celebrate.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: He finished his project and he went out to celebrate, joined by so, showing cause and effect.

4. Example: We visited the museum, and we saw many interesting exhibits.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: We visited the museum and we saw many interesting exhibits, connected by and, showing sequential actions.

5. Example: The weather was cold, yet they decided to go hiking.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: The weather was cold and they decided to go hiking, connected by yet, showing contrast.

6. Example: She is very tired, but she still goes to the party.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: She is very tired and she still goes to the party, joined by but, showing contrast.

7. Example: He cooked dinner, and she cleaned the kitchen.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: He cooked dinner and she cleaned the kitchen, connected by and, showing related actions.

8. Example: I studied for the exam, so I felt confident.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: I studied for the exam and I felt confident, joined by so, indicating cause and effect.

9. Example: The store was closed, but we found another one nearby.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: The store was closed and we found another one nearby, connected by but, showing contrast.

10. Example: They wanted to stay longer, but they had to leave early.

• Explanation: Two independent clauses: They wanted to stay longer and they had to leave early, joined by but, showing conflicting desires or situations.

Check Your Understanding of Declarative Sentences

Exercise 1: Identify the Sentence Type Determine whether the following sentences are simple or compound declarative sentences.

1. She enjoys reading books.

2. I cooked dinner, and he set the table.

3. The sun is shining.

4. They went to the park, but it started raining.

5. He plays the piano beautifully.

Exercise 2: Create Sentences Write your examples of the following types of declarative sentences:

1. Simple declarative sentence (Subject + Verb)

2. Simple declarative sentence (Subject + Verb + Object)

3. Compound declarative sentences using “and”

4. Compound declarative sentence using “but”

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences Rewrite the following sentences as compound declarative sentences:

1. She likes apples. She doesn’t like oranges.

2. The cat is sleeping. The dog is barking.

3. I finished my homework. I went out to play.

Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words to complete the declarative sentences:

1. The sky is _________.

2. He _________ to the store yesterday.

3. We went to the beach, and we _________ the sunset.

4. She cooked dinner, but he _________ the dishes.

These exercises will help reinforce your understanding of declarative sentences and how to use them effectively.

Find Out if You Got them All Right from the Answers Below.

Exercise 1: Identify the Sentence Type

1. Simple declarative sentence

2. Compound declarative sentence

3. Simple declarative sentence

4. Compound declarative sentence

5. Simple declarative sentence

Exercise 2: Create Sentences

1. The baby is sleeping.

2. I like pizza.

3. She studied all night, and she passed the exam.

4. He wanted to go out, but it started raining.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

1. She likes apples, but she doesn’t like oranges.

2. The cat is sleeping, and the dog is barking.

3. I finished my homework, and I went out to play.

Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks

1. blue

2. went

3. watched

4. Washed

Takeaways from the Page

• Understanding simple declarative sentences enhances your ability to communicate clearly.

• Different sentence structures like Subject + Verb, and Subject + Verb + Object are foundational in English.

• Practising these structures improves both written and spoken communication.

• Knowing how to form these sentences helps express ideas effectively.

• This knowledge is essential for everyday conversation and writing tasks.