The declarative sentence is by far the most important, and the most common in English literature. Check any book you’re reading to discover that most of the sentences in the prose are declarative. We can write scenes, chapters, and even full narrative novels using only this form. This is so, because declarative sentences don’t require answers or reactions from other players—or the readers. The role of a declarative sentence is to convey information, and most sentences follow this pattern.
Miro’s art is over my head.
I’ve always loved ducks because they have a sexy walk.
Why you draw your gun when I show you my new bat is beyond me.
After a while, she often pondered, commuters become inured to off-key music, mangled limbs, and poorly written cardboard signs pitching man’s miseries.
The third sentence contains an indirect question, “Why should you draw your gun?” but only direct questions punctuated with a question mark justify an interrogative sentence.
As in the examples above, declarative sentences may be short and simple or lengthier and complex; structure doesn’t affect their purpose. A declarative sentence does not command, question, or proclaim but make statements.
I like buttered fettuccini.
I used to be snow white, but I drifted.
Urbanites often refer to pigeons as “winged rats” because of their predatory behavior.
When we go to the movies, I love candied popcorn, but only if we share.
Marcia has a pert nose and lots of freckles.
We always punctuate declarative sentences with a simple period and use ordinary word order, placing the subject before the verb.
Declarative Sentences
The declarative sentence is by far the most important, and the most common in English literature. Check any book you’re reading to discover that most of the sentences in the prose are declarative. We can write scenes, chapters, and even full narrative novels using only this form. This is so, because declarative sentences don’t require answers or reactions from other players—or the readers. The role of a declarative sentence is to convey information, and most sentences follow this pattern.