What end mark does a command take?

Usually a period, which surprises kids: "Please line up." is an order with a calm mark. A shouted command can earn an exclamation point, but the type comes from the job, ordering, not the mark. That's why we teach job first, punctuation second.

How is this different from the end punctuation worksheet?

End punctuation asks students to finish a sentence with the right mark. This skill asks them to name what the whole sentence is doing. They're partners: one trains the hand, the other trains the ear, and together they cover the grade-1-2 sentence standards.

2nd grade types of sentences

2nd grade types of sentences worksheets

The four sentence types each have a job and usually a matching end mark: statements tell, questions ask, commands direct, exclamations burst. Second graders name the type from the sentence's job, not just its punctuation.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.1.1.j.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll get

Circle the letter that names the kind of sentence.

“Please fasten your helmet before the ride starts.” Kind of sentence: . command · statement · question
Answer: command
“I saw a shooting star!” Kind of sentence: . question · statement · exclamation
“Do you like green grapes?” Kind of sentence: . command · question · statement

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 2nd grade sheet

2nd grade sheets draw from 120 sentences, 8 to a page. All 60 of 1st grade's sentences are here too, plus 60 more. 1st grade sheets print 10 to a page.

A few of the sentences:

How many cows live here?
Amara just broke the school record!
What a save the goalie just made!

Choose the word. Circle the letter that names the kind of sentence. 8 questions per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Teach the job first, the punctuation second. Ask "what is this sentence doing: telling, asking, ordering, or bursting?" before looking at the end mark. The order matters because commands take periods, which breaks any punctuation-only shortcut a student might build.

Watch for: Commands often hide their subject: 'Sit down' means you sit down, even though the word you never appears. The end mark is a clue, not proof: 'What a great day!' starts like a question but is an exclamation.

Common questions about 2nd grade types of sentences

What end mark does a command take?: Usually a period, which surprises kids: "Please line up." is an order with a calm mark. A shouted command can earn an exclamation point, but the type comes from the job, ordering, not the mark. That's why we teach job first, punctuation second.
How is this different from the end punctuation worksheet?: End punctuation asks students to finish a sentence with the right mark. This skill asks them to name what the whole sentence is doing. They're partners: one trains the hand, the other trains the ear, and together they cover the grade-1-2 sentence standards.

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Aligned to Common Core L.1.1.j. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated October 2026.

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