IMPERATIVE SENTENCE. An imperative
sentence is one that gives a command or makes
a request. The subject of an imperative sentence
is seldom expressed. The word you, understood,
is the subject when a subject is not used. A period
is normally used at the end of an imperative
sentence; however, it may be followed by an
exclamation point if it is an emphatic command.
For example:
Read that exercise.
Stop!
The word you, which is understood, is the subject
in both of these examples.
INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE.An
interrogative sentence is one that asks a question.
The normal grammatical order of the words is
inverted in an interrogative sentence and the
sentence may begin with either a verb or an adverb
with the subject following. An interrogative
sentence ends with a question mark. For example:
Did you hear the bell sound?
Where did you file the incoming letter?
Did is the verb in the first example and
Where is an adverb in the second example.
You is the subject in each sentence.
E X C L A M A T O R Y
SENTENCE.An
exclamatory sentence is a complete sentence that
expresses surprise, excitement, or other strong
emotion. The order of the sentence is generally
invertedthe subject and verb are placed near the
end. An exclamatory sentence ends with an
exclamation point. For example:
What a storm that was!
How wonderful that is for you!
PUNCTUATION
Punctuation is used to make the meaning of
the sentence clear to the reader. Some marks of
punctuation are used to indicate, in written
English, the pauses and stops which the voice
makes in spoken English. They indicate not only
where a pause should come, but also the extent of
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the pause. For example, the comma indicates a
slight hesitation and the period a longer one.
Other vocal inflections are conveyed by the
question mark and the exclamation point. The
primary (principal) marks of punctuation are:
Period: .
Comma: ,
Semicolon: ;
Colon: :
Question Mark: ?
Exclamation Point: !
Dash: --
Quotation Marks:
Parentheses: ( )
Apostrophe:
Period
The period is generally the sign of a full
stop. It is used at the end of declarative and
imperative sentences. If a sentence ends with an
abbreviation that requires a period, only one mark
is used for both purposes. The period is also used
after abbreviations, initials, and abbreviated titles
preceding names. Examples of various uses of the
period are shown below.
After a declarative or imperative sentence.
It was a cold day. (declarative)
Please write to me. (imperative)
After abbreviations.
Ariz. - doz. - sq. ft.
After abbreviated titles.
Mr. G. E. Coleman, Jr.
Dr. J. B. Holmes
Rev. Edward Smith