What's the hidden subject in a command?

You. "Wash your hands" means "you wash your hands," with the you understood. It's why commands look subjectless and confuse sentence-diagramming later if nobody names it now. One good example usually makes it click for a 3rd grader.

Why do "What a great catch!" sentences trip students up?

They open with what, the classic question word, but they burst instead of asking. The test is whether the sentence wants an answer: a question does, an exclamation doesn't. Our items include these on purpose, because state tests do too.

3rd grade types of sentences

3rd grade types of sentences worksheets

Third graders classify the four types quickly, including the sneaky cases: commands with hidden subjects (Wash your hands), questions that start mid-thought, and exclamations that open with what or how. Naming types feeds into writing paragraphs that vary their sentences.

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.

“Earthworms loosen the soil and help plants grow.” Kind of sentence: . question · exclamation · statement
Answer: statement
“Knead the dough until it feels smooth.” Kind of sentence: . command · exclamation · statement
“Cover the seedlings if frost is coming.” Kind of sentence: . question · command · 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 3rd grade sheet

3rd grade sheets draw from 60 sentences, 10 to a page. All 60 are on 2nd grade sheets too, along with 60 more. 2nd grade sheets print 8 to a page.

A few of the sentences:

Measure the water before you pour it in.
The baby sloth is finally awake!
The first pumpkin is bigger than a basketball!

Choose the word. Circle the letter that names the kind of sentence. 10 questions per page.

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

How to teach this

Spotlight the two reliable trick cases: commands whose subject is an invisible you, and exclamations that masquerade as questions (What a save!). Students who can explain those two have genuinely learned the types. Then turn it productive: ask for one paragraph containing all four kinds.

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 3rd grade types of sentences

What's the hidden subject in a command?: You. "Wash your hands" means "you wash your hands," with the you understood. It's why commands look subjectless and confuse sentence-diagramming later if nobody names it now. One good example usually makes it click for a 3rd grader.
Why do "What a great catch!" sentences trip students up?: They open with what, the classic question word, but they burst instead of asking. The test is whether the sentence wants an answer: a question does, an exclamation doesn't. Our items include these on purpose, because state tests do too.

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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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