What are declarative, interrogative, imperative and exclamatory sentences?

They are the formal names for the four kinds of sentences. A declarative sentence tells: "The bus is here." An interrogative sentence asks: "Is the bus here?" An imperative sentence gives a command: "Get on the bus." An exclamatory sentence shows strong feeling: "What a crowded bus this is!"

How can my 4th grader tell an imperative sentence from a declarative one?

Look for a hidden "you." An imperative tells someone to do something and leaves the subject out, so "Hang up your coat" means "You hang up your coat." A declarative sentence names its subject and tells a fact or an idea. Both usually end with a period, so the end mark won't settle it.

Is "I wonder why owls hunt at night" a question?

No. It tells what someone wonders, so it is declarative and ends with a period. "Mia asked whether the pool was open" works the same way: it reports a question but doesn't ask one. A sentence is interrogative only when it asks the reader directly and ends with a question mark, like "Why do owls hunt at night?"

4th grade types of sentences

4th grade types of sentences worksheets

In 4th grade, the four kinds of sentences get their formal names. A declarative sentence tells, an interrogative sentence asks, an imperative sentence gives a command, and an exclamatory sentence shows strong feeling. Fourth graders read longer, trickier sentences, decide what each one is doing, and pick its name.

Free printable PDF worksheet.

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.

“Does a spider have six legs or eight?” Kind of sentence: . exclamatory · interrogative · declarative
Answer: interrogative
“The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth.” Kind of sentence: . interrogative · declarative · imperative
“Did anyone notice how quiet the hallway was this morning?” Kind of sentence: . interrogative · exclamatory · declarative

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 4th grade sheet

4th grade sheets draw from 60 sentences, 10 to a page. None of these sentences are on 3rd grade sheets.

A few of the sentences:

Nobody knows how long the old oak tree has stood in the park.
Fresh water freezes into ice at thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
Tune your violin carefully before the spring concert rehearsal starts.

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

Tie each formal name to the job your child already knows. Declarative tells, interrogative asks, imperative commands, exclamatory shows strong feeling. Say the job first and the name second until the names stick. Then ask what the sentence is doing before anyone looks at the end mark. Two cases cause most mistakes. A sentence like "I asked Dad what was for dinner" talks about a question, but it only tells, so it is declarative. A sentence like "After lunch, wash your hands" is a command even though it starts with other words. Have your child find the verb that gives the order.

Watch for: A sentence that mentions a question is not always a question. 'I wonder why the moon looks orange' tells what someone wonders, so it is declarative. An imperative sentence doesn't need please or the word you. 'After lunch, wash your hands' still gives a command, even though it starts with other words.

Common questions about 4th grade types of sentences

What are declarative, interrogative, imperative and exclamatory sentences?: They are the formal names for the four kinds of sentences. A declarative sentence tells: "The bus is here." An interrogative sentence asks: "Is the bus here?" An imperative sentence gives a command: "Get on the bus." An exclamatory sentence shows strong feeling: "What a crowded bus this is!"
How can my 4th grader tell an imperative sentence from a declarative one?: Look for a hidden "you." An imperative tells someone to do something and leaves the subject out, so "Hang up your coat" means "You hang up your coat." A declarative sentence names its subject and tells a fact or an idea. Both usually end with a period, so the end mark won't settle it.
Is "I wonder why owls hunt at night" a question?: No. It tells what someone wonders, so it is declarative and ends with a period. "Mia asked whether the pool was open" works the same way: it reports a question but doesn't ask one. A sentence is interrogative only when it asks the reader directly and ends with a question mark, like "Why do owls hunt at night?"

4th grade types of sentences worksheets

The kind of sentences you'll get

What's on a 4th grade sheet

How to teach this

Common questions about 4th grade types of sentences

Related worksheets

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