This article belongs to the series of "Simplified Grammar" in "Man Ting Speaking English". Each article uses a short chapter to explain the main points and interesting knowledge points in English grammar. "Man Ting Speaking English" is characterized by mainly using English to understand English, supplemented by a small amount of Chinese commentary, to help English learners build English thinking and understand the connotation of English.
* The phonetic symbols of English words in the analysis are marked with Dictcom and IPA dual phonetic symbols. If you need to understand the phonetic symbols of Dictcom, please refer to our article "The Phonetic Symbol System Used by Dictionary.com".
Sentences can be divided into the following categories according to their function or purpose. Let's take a look.
Sentences may be declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.
【Translation】Sentences can be declarative sentences, interrogative sentences, imperative sentences or exclamation sentences.
[Words] declarative adjective [dih-'klar-uh-tiv][dɪ'klærətɪv] adj. declarative; announced; illustrated; stated
【Word】interrogative noun [in-tuh-'rog-uh-tiv][ˌɪntə'rɒɡətɪv] adj. interrogative n. interrogative word; interrogative sentence
[Word] imperative adjective [im-'per-uh-tiv][ɪm'perətɪv] adj. important; necessary; imperative n. important thing; command; obligation; drive
[Word] exclamatory noun [ik-'sklam-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee][ɪk'sklæmətri] adj. exclamation; exclamation
A declarative sentence declares or asserts something as a fact.
【译】Declarative sentence declares or asserts that something or something is fact.
[Words] declare Prototype: declare verbs in general present tense (third-person singular) [dih-'klair][dɪ'kleə] v. declare (declaration); declare; declare
[Words] asserts prototype: assert verbs are generally present tense (third-person singular) [uh-'surt][ə'sɜːt] vt. assert; assert; persist; take effect; maintain
[Editor's note] Here are two example sentences.
Dickens wrote "David Copperfield."
[Translation] Dickens wrote "David Copperfield"
[Proper noun] Dickens ['dik-inz]['dɪkɪnz] n. Dickens (British writer)
[Proper noun] David ['dey-vid]['deɪvɪd] David (male name)
【Proper noun】Copperfield n. Copperfield (surname)
The army approached the city.
【例句】The army is approaching the city.
An interrogative sentence asks a question.
【Translation】Interrogative sentence (usually used) to ask a question.
[Editor's note] Here are two example sentences.
Who is that officer?
【例句】Who is that police officer?
【Words】officer noun ['aw-fuh-ser,'of-uh-]['ɒfɪsə] n. officer; senior staff; police officer; officer; clerks
Does Arthur Moore live here?
【译】Does Arthur Moore live here?
【Proper noun】Arthur n. Arthur (person's name)
【Proper noun】Moore name/person n. Moore (surname)
An imperative sentence expresses a command or a request.
【Translation】Imperative sentences are used to express commands or requests.
[Words] expresses prototype: express verbs are generally present tense (third-person singular) [ik-'spres][ɪk'spres] vt. express; express; squeeze out; express
【Word】command noun [kuh-'mand, -'mahnd][kə'mɑːnd] n. command; command; master
[Words] request noun [ri-'kwest][rɪ'kwest] n. request; request vt. request; request
[Editor's note] Here are two example sentences.
Open the window.
【Translation】Open the window.
【Words】window noun ['win-doh]['wɪndəʊ] n. window; shop window; window
Pronounce the vowels more distinctly.
[Translation] Make the vowel sound clearer.
【Words】pronounce [pruh-'nouns][prə'naʊns] vt. pronunciation; pronounce; pronounce judgment; assert vi. pronunciation; give opinions
[Word] vowels Prototype: vowel noun plural form ['vou-uh l]['vaʊəl] n. vowel; vowel
【Words】distinctly adverb [dih-'stingkt-lee][dɪ'stɪŋktli] adv. clearly; obviously; surely
An exclamatory sentence expresses surprise, grief, or some other emotion in the form of an exclamation or cry.
[Translation] Exclamatory sentences express surprise, sadness, or other emotions in the form of sighs or crying.
【Words】grief noun [greef][ɡriːf] n. grief; sorrow
[Words] emotion noun [ih-'moh-shuh n][ɪ'məʊʃn] n. emotion; feeling; emotion
[Words] exclamation noun [ek-skluh-'mey-shuhn][ˌeksklə'meɪʃn] n. exclamation; exclamation word
[Words] cry noun [krahy][kraɪ] v. cry; (loudly) yell; (strongly) demand n. scream; cry; cry
[Editor's note] Here are two example sentences.
How calm the sea is!
[Translation] How calm the sea is!
【Word】calm noun [kahm][kɑːm] adj. calm; calm v. (make) calm; (make) calm n. calm; calm; stable
【Words】sea noun [see][siː] n. sea; ocean
What a noise the engine makes!
[Translation] What a noise the engine makes!
[Words] noise noun [noiz][nɔɪz] n. noise; loud noise; noise vt. rumor vi. speak loudly; make noise
[Words] engine noun ['en-juh n]['endʒɪn] n. engine; engine; locomotive; locomotive vt. install engine
A declarative, an interrogative, or an imperative sentence is also exclamatory, if it is uttered in an intense or excited tone of voice.
[Translation] Declarative sentences, interrogative sentences or imperative sentences, if spoken in a strong or agitated tone, can also be called exclamatory sentences.
[Word] uttered Prototype: utter verb past participle ['uht-er]['ʌtə] v. speak; send out; express
【Words】intense adjective [in-'tens][ɪn'tens] adj. strong; tense; strong; intense; profound
【Words】excited adjective [ik-'sahy-tid][ɪk'saɪtɪd] adj. Excited; excited
[Words] tone noun [tohn][təʊn] n. tone; tone; tone; tone; atmosphere