8. Sentences in English come in one of four classes. Though rarely used to describe these four
classes in English, a linguistic term that describes the property of a sentence or clause that
pertains to the response it expects from the reader/listener is called mood, or mode. The English
language has four moods: declarative, exclamatory, imperative, interrogatory.
Table 2 – Sentence Classes or Moods
1 Declarative Many shall come in my name.
2 Exclamatory Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
3 Imperative Take heed that no man deceive you.
4 Imperative Get thee hence, Satan.
5 Interrogatory When shall these things be?
12
9. The declarative sentence makes a statement or assertion of fact (1). The only response the
declarative sentence expects from the reader is comprehension and contemplation. While not all
declarative sentences are true, declarative sentences are stated as true. The declarative sentence
is concluded with a period.
10. The exclamatory sentence is like the declarative sentence, but it expresses stronger emotion
on the part of the speaker/writer (2). The exclamatory sentence expects the reader to have an
emotional response to what is stated, or at least to recognize the emotion of the one making the
statement. Such sentences sometimes include interjections and are most often found in dialogue
or poetry. Because of the nature of an exclamatory statement, they often rearrange or contract
the common form of the simple sentence. The exclamatory sentence is concluded with an
exclamation mark.
11. The imperative sentence is a command. It expects the subject of the sentence to respond
with corresponding action. The subject of an imperative sentence is either not stated at all (3) or
is set off by a comma (4). Only the subject of the sentence is expected to obey the command
unless the command is elsewhere broadened by the context. Hermeneutically speaking, it is
understood in the Bible that an imperative includes as its broad subject anyone in the same
pertinent circumstances as the subject of the imperative. For example, if someone says, “cut
your red hair”, those with black hair would not be concerned. Similarly, the command to build
an ark would probably be limited to Noah because we do not share any of the important
circumstances (i.e. impending global flood). On the other hand, if someone says, “you are an
author, so use proper grammar”, all authors should take note. Similarly, all those in sin are
generally considered under the command to repent even though the command was given to
sinners 2000 years ago. The imperative sentence is concluded with a period or an exclamation
mark where the sentence is to reflect a shouted or emphasized command.
APPLICATION:
Eph. 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour …
We haven’t covered the subject of “person” yet, but here is a little side note that relates to the
Greek imperative. Greek grammar has a verb form for the 3rd person imperative. English lacks a
convenient form for that construction. Instead, the Greek 3rd person imperative is often
translated using the word “let” followed by the 3rd person subject. This can be seen twice in the
verse above. The word “let” is not really intended to signal permission, as in “let them stop
stealing if they wish”. It is just as imperative as the statement, “stop stealing” or “do not steal.”
12. The interrogative sentence is a question (5). It expects an answer from either the person
addressed or the general audience. A question can ask for several types of answers, but most
common types of questions are: who, what, when, where, why, and how. One important stylistic
device is the rhetorical question, which assumes a particular answer from the audience for
dramatic emphasis (“Have ye not read?”). The interrogative sentence ends with a question mark.
13
Exercise II: The Simple Sentence
Instructions:
Identify the important parts of the sentence discussed in this lesson in the following verses.
Label the subject, predicate, and verb. If there is a direct or indirect object, identify those as
well. If the verse has more than one clause, treat each clause separately.
Pro. 10:12
Mark 16:16
I John 2:20
I Th. 5:22
Rev. 21:8
Instructions:
Find two verses in the Bible for each sentence class. The verse must have in it a sentence or
clause in the named mood.
Indicative
Interrogative
Imperative
Declarativ
classes in English, a linguistic term that describes the property of a sentence or clause that
pertains to the response it expects from the reader/listener is called mood, or mode. The English
language has four moods: declarative, exclamatory, imperative, interrogatory.
Table 2 – Sentence Classes or Moods
1 Declarative Many shall come in my name.
2 Exclamatory Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
3 Imperative Take heed that no man deceive you.
4 Imperative Get thee hence, Satan.
5 Interrogatory When shall these things be?
12
9. The declarative sentence makes a statement or assertion of fact (1). The only response the
declarative sentence expects from the reader is comprehension and contemplation. While not all
declarative sentences are true, declarative sentences are stated as true. The declarative sentence
is concluded with a period.
10. The exclamatory sentence is like the declarative sentence, but it expresses stronger emotion
on the part of the speaker/writer (2). The exclamatory sentence expects the reader to have an
emotional response to what is stated, or at least to recognize the emotion of the one making the
statement. Such sentences sometimes include interjections and are most often found in dialogue
or poetry. Because of the nature of an exclamatory statement, they often rearrange or contract
the common form of the simple sentence. The exclamatory sentence is concluded with an
exclamation mark.
11. The imperative sentence is a command. It expects the subject of the sentence to respond
with corresponding action. The subject of an imperative sentence is either not stated at all (3) or
is set off by a comma (4). Only the subject of the sentence is expected to obey the command
unless the command is elsewhere broadened by the context. Hermeneutically speaking, it is
understood in the Bible that an imperative includes as its broad subject anyone in the same
pertinent circumstances as the subject of the imperative. For example, if someone says, “cut
your red hair”, those with black hair would not be concerned. Similarly, the command to build
an ark would probably be limited to Noah because we do not share any of the important
circumstances (i.e. impending global flood). On the other hand, if someone says, “you are an
author, so use proper grammar”, all authors should take note. Similarly, all those in sin are
generally considered under the command to repent even though the command was given to
sinners 2000 years ago. The imperative sentence is concluded with a period or an exclamation
mark where the sentence is to reflect a shouted or emphasized command.
APPLICATION:
Eph. 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour …
We haven’t covered the subject of “person” yet, but here is a little side note that relates to the
Greek imperative. Greek grammar has a verb form for the 3rd person imperative. English lacks a
convenient form for that construction. Instead, the Greek 3rd person imperative is often
translated using the word “let” followed by the 3rd person subject. This can be seen twice in the
verse above. The word “let” is not really intended to signal permission, as in “let them stop
stealing if they wish”. It is just as imperative as the statement, “stop stealing” or “do not steal.”
12. The interrogative sentence is a question (5). It expects an answer from either the person
addressed or the general audience. A question can ask for several types of answers, but most
common types of questions are: who, what, when, where, why, and how. One important stylistic
device is the rhetorical question, which assumes a particular answer from the audience for
dramatic emphasis (“Have ye not read?”). The interrogative sentence ends with a question mark.
13
Exercise II: The Simple Sentence
Instructions:
Identify the important parts of the sentence discussed in this lesson in the following verses.
Label the subject, predicate, and verb. If there is a direct or indirect object, identify those as
well. If the verse has more than one clause, treat each clause separately.
Pro. 10:12
Mark 16:16
I John 2:20
I Th. 5:22
Rev. 21:8
Instructions:
Find two verses in the Bible for each sentence class. The verse must have in it a sentence or
clause in the named mood.
Indicative
Interrogative
Imperative
Declarativ
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