Introduction

Simple (one-clause) sentences come in four main types from the point of view of structure:

• declarative clauses: typically used for making statements (positive or negative)

  • Your hair looks nice.
  • The government haven’t done it.

• interrogative clauses: typically used for asking questions

  • Does my hair look OK?
  • What haven’t they done this time?

• imperative clauses: typically used for giving instructions, making suggestions, etc

  • Try cutting it a bit shorter.
  • Write to your MP about it.

• exclamatory clauses: typically used (naturally) for exclaiming

  • What a good idea!
  • How optimistic you are!

Structure and meaning don’t always go together.

• Your coat’s on the floor. (= ‘Pick up your coat.’ – declarative for instruction)
• What do you take me for? (= ‘I’m not stupid.’ – interrogative for statement)

English has fairly fixed word order, especially in formal writing and speech. The main points are summarised in (see here). Other entries in this Section deal separately with the structures used in questions, negatives, imperatives and exclamations. The grammar of more complex clauses and sentences is covered in (see here); some structures mainly found in informal speech are discussed in (see here). English word order can cause problems for learners whose languages move grammatical elements around more freely. In many languages, sentences frequently start with the topic – what is being talked about – whether or not this is the grammatical subject. English, especially formal English, prefers to combine topic and grammatical subject in the same noun phrase, and to put this first in a declarative clause. Informal speech can separate topic and subject more easily, (see here).

Do you know what’s wrong with these, and why?

The train stopped not. (see here)

I like very much mushrooms. (see here)

When you are leaving? (see here)

What means ‘periphrastic’? (see here)

What does the boss wants? (see here)

Did you went climbing last weekend? (see here)

When was made your reservation? (see here)

So there are two models. Which does cost more? (see here)

I like not this soup. (see here)

I didn’t thought it mattered. (see here)

Expect not quick results. (see here)

It’s important to don’t worry. (see here)

Not George came, but his brother. (see here)

‘Haven’t you written to Emily?’ ‘Yes, I haven’t.’ (see here)

I don’t hope it rains tomorrow. (see here)

I opened the door, but I couldn’t see nobody. (see here)

How it is cold! (see here)

What nice dress! (see here)

What a beautiful weather! (see here)

What a beautiful smile has your sister! (see here)

They’re so kind people! (see here)

Anybody don’t say a word, OK? (see here)

Remember always what I told you. (see here)