Declarative sentences
A declarative sentence is a sentence that makes a statement, gives an opinion or states a fact. It tells the reader or listener something rather than asking a question, giving a command or expressing strong emotion. Declarative sentences end with a full stop and follow a subject plus verb word order, for example: "The library closes at nine o'clock."
Types of declarative sentences
Simple declarative sentence
Contains one independent clause with a single subject and verb expressing one complete idea.
e.g. The train arrived late., She enjoys reading novels.
Compound declarative sentence
Joins two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction or semicolon to state related facts or opinions.
e.g. He studied hard, and he passed the exam., The weather was cold; we stayed indoors.
Complex declarative sentence
Combines an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses to add extra detail or reasoning.
e.g. Although it was raining, the match continued., I believe that education improves opportunities.
Compound-complex declarative sentence
Combines at least two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses to express more detailed statements.
e.g. Because the roads were icy, the buses were delayed, and many passengers were late for work., She finished her report, and she submitted it early because the deadline was strict.
Rules to remember
- A declarative sentence always ends with a full stop, never a question mark or exclamation mark.
- The basic word order is subject before verb, unlike questions which usually invert this order.
- It can express positive or negative statements, facts, opinions or beliefs.
- Declarative sentences can be simple, compound, complex or compound-complex depending on how many clauses they contain.
- Modal verbs, tenses and adverbs can be added to show certainty, possibility or time without changing the sentence's declarative function.
Examples in sentences
| Example | How it works |
|---|---|
| The government introduced a new policy last year. | States a fact using subject plus verb word order. |
| I do not agree with this argument. | A negative declarative sentence expressing an opinion. |
| Climate change affects agriculture worldwide, and it threatens food security. | A compound declarative sentence joining two related statements. |
| Although the results were disappointing, the team remained motivated. | A complex declarative sentence with a dependent clause showing contrast. |
| She will probably finish the project by Friday. | A declarative sentence expressing a prediction using a modal verb. |
| Many students find grammar challenging at first. | A general statement expressed as a simple declarative sentence. |
Common mistakes
Incorrect: The weather is nice?
Correct: The weather is nice.
Incorrect: Is very important to study grammar.
Correct: It is very important to study grammar.
Incorrect: He go to school every day.
Correct: He goes to school every day.
Why this matters for IELTS
In IELTS Writing and Speaking, most of your answer should be built from clear, accurate declarative sentences, since they carry your facts, opinions and explanations. Using a mix of simple, compound and complex declarative sentences correctly shows sentence variety and control of grammar, which examiners reward under Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Avoid long, uncontrolled sentences; instead, combine clauses confidently while keeping subject-verb agreement and punctuation accurate.
Frequently asked questions
What is a declarative sentence in simple words?
It is a sentence that states a fact, opinion or idea and ends with a full stop, such as 'The shop opens at nine.'
How is a declarative sentence different from an imperative sentence?
A declarative sentence makes a statement, while an imperative sentence gives a command or instruction, such as 'Close the door.'
Can a declarative sentence be negative?
Yes, declarative sentences can be positive or negative, for example: 'She did not attend the meeting.'
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