Purpose of sentences

Sentences can be thought about in terms of their purpose.

Statements

Statements tell us things.

These tend to be in school text books, in newspapers, or in an encyclopedia.

For example:

• Paris is the capital of France.
• Manchester United play at Old Trafford.
• There are seven days in a week.

Questions

Questions ask us about something, or make us think about things.

For example:

• What does TiPToP stand for?
• When did the First World War end?
• How much for a coffee?

Orders

Orders are also called commands.

These tell us what to do, and are found in instructions, recipes and signs.

For example:

• Put your litter in the bin.
• Do not touch.
• Next, take a small pinch of salt and mix it all together.

Exclamations

Exclamations are shouted out.

You would hear these at a sporting event, in arguments, or if you told a joke.

For example:

• Amazing!
• Shut up!
• Goal!