Chapter 11 · English Grammar

Sentence Structure & Types

Beginner ⏱ 35–45 minutes 🎓 Grade 6

What you will be able to do

  • Identify the four types of sentences by purpose
  • Split a sentence into subject and predicate
  • Find the direct and indirect object
  • Recognise a subject complement
  • Change a sentence between statement, question and negative

1 Quick Introduction

English

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. Every sentence has two essential parts: a subject (who or what we talk about) and a predicate (what is said about the subject). Sentences also come in four types depending on their purpose.

हिन्दी

वाक्य (Sentence) शब्दों का वह समूह है जो एक पूरा विचार प्रकट करता है। हर वाक्य के दो मुख्य भाग होते हैं: उद्देश्य (subject) — जिसके बारे में बात हो, और विधेय (predicate) — जो उसके बारे में कहा जाए। उद्देश्य के अनुसार वाक्य चार प्रकार के होते हैं।

2 A Real-Life Situation

Imagine this

In one short chat you use every type:

You: The bus is late. (statement) Is it coming? (question) Please wait here. (command) What a long wait! (exclamation)

Why this form? Each sentence does a different job — to tell, to ask, to order, to exclaim. Recognising the purpose helps you punctuate it correctly (full stop, question mark or exclamation mark).

3 The Grammar Rule

Rule & Formula
TypePurposeEnds withExample
Declarativestates a fact.The sky is blue.
Interrogativeasks a question?Is the sky blue?
Imperativegives a command/request. or !Open the window.
Exclamatoryshows strong feeling!What a view!
Sentence = Subject + Predicate
The little boy (subject) | kicked the ball hard (predicate).

4 Four Types of Sentences by Purpose

Sentences are classified by what they do:

  • Declarative (statement): tells something and ends with a full stop. She plays the violin.
  • Interrogative (question): asks something and ends with a question mark. Does she play the violin?
  • Imperative (command/request): tells someone to do something; the subject 'you' is usually hidden. Close the door. Please sit down.
  • Exclamatory: expresses sudden, strong feeling and ends with an exclamation mark. How beautiful the garden is!
Visual — Four Types of Sentences by Purpose
Declarativeends with .Interrogativeends with ?ImperativecommandExclamatoryends with !
1
Worked Example
Name the type: What a wonderful surprise!
Solution

Exclamatory — it shows strong feeling and ends with an exclamation mark.

2
Worked Example
Name the type: Please pass the salt.
Solution

Imperative — it makes a polite request; the subject 'you' is understood.

Key Points

  • Declarative tells (.), interrogative asks (?)
  • Imperative commands/requests (subject 'you' hidden)
  • Exclamatory shows strong feeling (!)

5 Subject, Predicate, Objects & Complement

Every sentence divides into a subject (who/what) and a predicate (what is said about it).

  • The tall boy | scored a goal.

Inside the predicate we may find:

  • Direct object — receives the action (what/whom?): She ate an apple.
  • Indirect object — to/for whom the action is done: He gave me a book.
  • Complement — completes the meaning after a linking verb: She is a doctor; the soup tastes salty.

Test for the subject: ask who? or what? before the verb.

1
Worked Example
Find subject and predicate: The children played in the park.
Solution

Subject = The children; Predicate = played in the park.

2
Worked Example
Find the direct and indirect objects: Mother gave Riya a gift.
Solution

Indirect object = Riya (to whom); Direct object = a gift (what).

Key Points

  • Subject = who/what; Predicate = what is said about it
  • Direct object receives the action; indirect object = to/for whom
  • A complement completes meaning after a linking verb

6 Vocabulary Builder

WordMeaningहिन्दी
Declarativestating a factकथनात्मक
Interrogativeasking a questionप्रश्नवाचक
Imperativegiving a commandआज्ञावाचक
Predicatewhat is said about the subjectविधेय
Complementa word that completes the senseपूरक
✎ Vocabulary Quick Test0 / 1
Q.A sentence that gives a command is called:
Explanation: Imperative sentences give commands or requests (Open the door).

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗ IncorrectWhere is my bag.
✓ CorrectWhere is my bag?
A question must end with a question mark.
✗ IncorrectWhat a lovely day.
✓ CorrectWhat a lovely day!
An exclamatory sentence ends with an exclamation mark.
✗ IncorrectYou please sit down.
✓ CorrectPlease sit down.
In an imperative sentence the subject 'you' is understood and usually dropped.
✗ IncorrectShe gave a book me.
✓ CorrectShe gave me a book.
The indirect object (me) comes before the direct object (a book).

8 Practice Exercises

Fill in the BlanksLevel 1
Name the type of each sentence (declarative / interrogative / imperative / exclamatory).
  1. Shut the gate.
  2. Is it raining?
  3. The moon is bright tonight.
  4. How fast he runs!
  5. Please help me.
Answer Key
  1. imperative
  2. interrogative
  3. declarative
  4. exclamatory
  5. imperative
Fill in the BlanksLevel 2
Identify the underlined part as subject, predicate, object or complement.
  1. (The brave soldier) fought well. — the bracketed part is the …
  2. She is (a teacher). — the bracketed part is the …
  3. He kicked (the ball). — the bracketed part is the …
  4. They gave (him) a prize. — the bracketed part is the …
  5. The dog (barked loudly). — the bracketed part is the …
Answer Key
  1. subject
  2. complement
  3. direct object
  4. indirect object
  5. predicate
Error Detection
  1. How beautiful is the rainbow.
  2. Where are you going.
  3. You sit down please.
  4. Gave she me a pen.
Answer Key
  1. How beautiful the rainbow is! (error: .)
  2. Where are you going? (error: .)
  3. Please sit down. (error: You)
  4. She gave me a pen. (error: word order)
Sentence Correction
  1. what a goal
  2. Is the train late.
  3. He gave a gift to I.
Answer Key
  1. What a goal!
  2. Is the train late?
  3. He gave a gift to me.
Rearrange the Words
  1. the / a / goal / striker / scored
  2. is / where / your / book / ?
  3. the / please / window / open
Answer Key
  1. The striker scored a goal.
  2. Where is your book?
  3. Please open the window.
Match the Following
Column AColumn B
1. The bird sings.a. interrogative
2. Can you swim?b. exclamatory
3. Stand up.c. declarative
4. What a noise!d. imperative
Answer Key
The bird sings. → declarativeCan you swim? → interrogativeStand up. → imperativeWhat a noise! → exclamatory

9 Micro Quiz

✎ Quick Check — 5 questions0 / 5
Q1.'Close the window.' is a/an ___ sentence.
Explanation: It gives a command — imperative.
Q2.Which sentence is interrogative?
Explanation: 'Is he tall?' asks a question.
Q3.In 'The dog chased the cat', the subject is:
Explanation: 'The dog' is who the sentence is about.
Q4.In 'She gave me a pen', 'a pen' is the:
Explanation: 'a pen' receives the action — direct object.
Q5.'What a surprise!' is a/an ___ sentence.
Explanation: It expresses strong feeling — exclamatory.

10 Reading Practice

The bell rang loudly. "Hurry up!" shouted the teacher. The students rushed to the hall. Who would win the quiz? Ria gave her team the final answer, and they cheered. What an exciting morning it was!

Comprehension Questions
  1. Find an interrogative sentence in the passage.
  2. Find an exclamatory sentence.
  3. In 'Ria gave her team the final answer', name the indirect object.
Answer Key
  1. "Who would win the quiz?" — it asks a question.
  2. "What an exciting morning it was!" — it shows strong feeling.
  3. her team — it tells to whom the answer was given.

11 Speaking, Writing & Daily Use

Say these aloud
  • The garden looks beautiful today.
  • Are you coming to the party?
  • Please close the door.
  • What a brilliant idea!
  • She handed me the keys.
Write four sentences about your morning — one of each type (statement, question, command, exclamation).
Example: I wake up at six. Is breakfast ready? Pass me the milk. What a fresh morning!

12 Challenge Zone

🔥 Higher-Level Questions — 30 / 3
Q1.Change to exclamatory: 'The scenery is very beautiful.'
Explanation: 'How + adjective + subject + verb!' forms an exclamatory sentence.
Q2.Which sentence has both a direct and an indirect object?
Explanation: 'us' (indirect) and 'a story' (direct).
Q3.Change to a negative statement: 'She likes tea.'
Explanation: Negative present: 'does not' + base verb.

13 Chapter Mind Map

Mind Map
       SENTENCE STRUCTURE
                |
   +------------+------------+
   |                         |
  TYPES                   PARTS
 declarative .           subject
 interrogative ?         predicate
 imperative (you)        direct obj
 exclamatory !           indirect obj
                         complement

14 One-Minute Revision

Remember these

  • A sentence = subject + predicate (a complete thought)
  • Four types: declarative (.), interrogative (?), imperative, exclamatory (!)
  • Imperative sentences hide the subject 'you'
  • Direct object receives the action; indirect object = to/for whom
  • A complement follows a linking verb (She is a doctor)