Mastering the explanations and examples of imperative and exclamatory sentences is essential for effective English grammar, clear communication, and precise sentence structure analysis.
What is an Imperative Sentence?
It has already been said that a sentence which contains a command or request is called an imperative sentence. Understanding its core syntax helps learners construct accurate directions and polite requests.
The structure of imperative sentence is as follows:
- 1. Intransitive Verb: Go (in this structure, usually with verb, there is particle or adverbial: Go away. Go quickly.)
- 2. Transitive Verb + Direct Object: Shut the door.
- 3. Transitive Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object: Tell me the story.
- 4. Linking Verb + Adjective: Be quiet.
The only do auxiliary can be used with the verb in the imperative sentence, but it does not change the above structure.
Examples of Auxiliary Do in Imperative Sentences
- Do come in. (Do + Intransitive Verb)
- Do shut the door. (Do + Transitive Verb + Object)
In the above example the word do is emphatic or reinforcing the sentence. The words Please and kindly are often used in two imperative sentences. Please sits before or at the end of the sentence, but Kindly always sits before the sentence.
Examples with Please and Kindly
- Please come in.
- Come in, please.
- Kindly pass me the salt.
How to Use Let's in Indirect Imperatives
Here is an explanation and example of the use of Let's (= let us).
"Let's" is an indirect imperative. It sits at the beginning of the sentence. The speaker includes himself in such sentences.
- Let's start work at once.
- Let's not quarrel.
What is an Exclamatory Sentence?
Now let's discuss the exclamatory sentence. This type of sentence expresses deep emotion and it starts with the words how and what.
Examples of Exclamatory Sentences
- How kind you are!
- How well you look!
- What genius you have!
The structure of the above example is:
Exclamatory Word + Complement / Object + Subject + Verb.
In cases where there are direct and indirect objects, the direct object is before the subject and the indirect object is after the verb.
Example with Direct and Indirect Objects
What a story he told us!
In all the above examples, exclamatory words are acting as modifiers of complement / object.
How to Identify Implicit Subjects in Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences often have subject implicit.
- How wonderful! (How wonderful it is!)
- How beautiful! (How beautiful she is!)
Exercises
- Write five sentences illustrating each of the imperative structures.
- Write five sentences illustrating each of the following: please, kindly, let's
- Write five exclamatory sentences.
Key Takeaways
- Imperative sentences express commands or requests using specific verb patterns like intransitive verbs, transitive verbs with objects, and linking verbs with adjectives.
- Auxiliary "do" adds emphasis to imperative sentences without altering their basic syntactic structure.
- "Let's" acts as an indirect imperative placing the speaker inside the action.
- Exclamatory sentences convey deep emotion, begin with "how" or "what," and frequently feature implicit subjects.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of these rules! Write 1 imperative sentence using "Kindly" and 1 exclamatory sentence starting with "What" in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an imperative sentence structure?
An imperative sentence structure typically involves an intransitive verb, a transitive verb with a direct object, a transitive verb with indirect and direct objects, or a linking verb with an adjective.
How do you use 'Let's' in grammar?
"Let's" stands for "let us" and functions as an indirect imperative at the beginning of a sentence where the speaker includes themselves in the action.
What words start an exclamatory sentence?
Exclamatory sentences express deep emotion and typically start with the words "how" and "what."