Introduction

There are several ways to classify sentences, including by function, meaning, and structure.

Function

Declarative sentences make a statement and end with a period. For example: “I am going to the store.”
Interrogative sentences ask a question and end with a question mark. For example: “Are you going to the store?”
Imperative sentences give a command or make a request and end with a period or exclamation point. For example: “Please go to the store.” or “Go to the store!”
Exclamatory sentences express strong emotion and end with an exclamation point. For example: “I can’t believe I forgot to go to the store!”

Affirmative sentences make a positive statement. For example: “I am going to the store.”
Negative sentences make a negative statement. For example: “I am not going to the store.”
Comparative sentences compare two things. For example: “I am taller than my sister.”
Superlative sentences compare three or more things and identify the highest or lowest degree. For example: “I am the tallest person in my family.”

Simple sentences contain one independent clause (a clause that can stand on its own as a complete sentence). For example: “I am going to the store.”
Compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction. For example: “I am going to the store, but I need to pick up some milk first.”
Complex sentences contain one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses (a clause that cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence). For example: “I am going to the store because I need to pick up some milk.”
Compound-complex sentences contain two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. For example: “I am going to the store, but I need to pick up some milk first because I’m out of it.”