Types of Sentences in English with Examples | Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, Exclamatory

Complete English Grammar Guide:
Sentences, Nouns & Articles Rules

Master 4 Types of Sentences • Countable/Uncountable Nouns • A/An/The Rules • Updated December 2025 • 32 min read

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Mastering English grammar requires understanding three fundamental pillars: Sentence Types, Noun Categories, and Article Usage. This comprehensive guide combines all three topics with Urdu explanations, practical examples, and common mistakes to avoid. Perfect for Urdu speakers at beginner to intermediate level.

📝 Part 1: 4 Types of Sentences in English (With Urdu Examples)

Every sentence you speak or write in English falls into one of four categories. Understanding these types helps you communicate effectively and accurately.

🎯 Key Concept: In Urdu, we categorize sentences as خبریہ جملہ، سوالیہ جملہ، امریہ جملہ، تعجبیہ جملہ. The English classification is similar but with specific rules.

1 Declarative Sentences (Statements) - خبریہ جملے

These sentences make statements or express facts. They end with a period (.).

English Example Urdu Translation Sentence Type Key Features
I am learning English. میں انگریزی سیکھ رہا ہوں۔ Simple Statement States a fact
She teaches mathematics at the university. وہ یونیورسٹی میں ریاضی پڑھاتی ہیں۔ Detailed Statement Provides information
The sun rises in the east. سورج مشرق سے نکلتا ہے۔ Universal Truth General fact
They will arrive tomorrow at 3 PM. وہ کل شام ۳ بجے پہنچیں گے۔ Future Statement Predicts future

خبریہ جملے حقائق، معلومات یا خیالات بیان کرتے ہیں۔

2 Interrogative Sentences (Questions) - سوالیہ جملے

These sentences ask questions. They end with a question mark (?).

Question Type English Example Urdu Translation Answer Pattern
Yes/No Questions Are you coming with us? کیا آپ ہمارے ساتھ آرہے ہیں؟ Yes/No answers
WH Questions Where do you live? آپ کہاں رہتے ہیں؟ Detailed answers
Choice Questions Do you want tea or coffee? آپ چاہیں گے چائے یا کافی؟ Select option
Tag Questions You are coming, aren't you? آپ آرہے ہیں، ہے نا؟ Confirmation

💡 Question Formation Rules:

  1. For yes/no questions: Helping Verb + Subject + Main Verb
  2. For WH questions: WH Word + Helping Verb + Subject + Main Verb
  3. Example: Statement → You are learning → Question → Are you learning?

3 Imperative Sentences (Commands) - امریہ جملے

These sentences give commands, instructions, or requests.

Type English Example Urdu Translation Tone/Polite Level
Direct Command Close the door. دروازہ بند کرو۔ Strong/Forceful
Polite Request Please sit down. براہ کرم بیٹھ جائیں۔ Polite/Respectful
Instruction Add sugar and stir slowly. چینی ڈالیں اور آہستہ ہلائیں۔ Informative
Advice/Suggestion Study regularly for better results. بہتر نتائج کے لیے روزانہ پڑھیں۔ Helpful

امریہ جملے حکم، درخواست، مشورہ یا ہدایت دیتے ہیں۔

4 Exclamatory Sentences (Exclamations) - تعجبیہ جملے

These sentences express strong emotion or surprise. They end with an exclamation mark (!).

Common Exclamatory Patterns:

  • What + (a/an) + Adjective + Noun! → What a beautiful day!
  • How + Adjective/Adverb! → How amazing!
  • Interjection + Statement! → Wow, you look great!
Emotion English Example Urdu Equivalent
Surprise What a surprise! کیا حیرت ہے!
Happiness I won the prize! میں نے انعام جیت لیا!
Anger How dare you! تمہاری ہمت کیسے ہوئی!
Pain Ouch! That hurts! آہ! یہ تکلیف دہ ہے!
⚠️ Common Mistake: Many Urdu speakers use exclamation marks too frequently in English. In professional writing, use exclamation marks sparingly—only for genuine strong emotions.

🔢 Part 2: Countable and Uncountable Nouns with Examples

English nouns are divided into two categories: Countable (things you can count) and Uncountable (things you cannot count individually).

🎯 Quick Test: Can you say "one, two, three..." before the noun? If yes → Countable. If no → Uncountable.

Countable Nouns (گنے جانے والے اسم)

These nouns have singular and plural forms.

Singular Plural Urdu Meaning Example Sentences
book books کتاب I have one book. / I have three books.
child children بچہ One child is playing. / Many children are playing.
city cities شہر Karachi is a big city. / Pakistan has many cities.
box boxes ڈبہ This box is empty. / These boxes are full.

Key Rules for Countable Nouns:

  1. Use a/an with singular countable nouns: a book, an apple
  2. Use numbers: two books, three apples
  3. Use plural forms with -s, -es, or irregular changes

Uncountable Nouns (ناجائز اسم / نہ گنے جانے والے اسم)

These nouns cannot be counted individually. They have no plural form.

Category Uncountable Nouns Urdu Meaning Measurement Words
Liquids water, milk, oil, tea پانی، دودھ، تیل، چائے glass of, cup of, liter of
Food Items rice, sugar, salt, bread چاول، چینی، نمک، روٹی bowl of, packet of, slice of
Abstract Ideas love, happiness, information محبت، خوشی، معلومات piece of, bit of
Materials wood, gold, paper, furniture لکڑی، سونا، کاغذ، فرنیچر piece of, sheet of, item of

ناجائز اسم اکیلے نہیں گنے جاتے۔ ان کے لیے پیمانے والے الفاظ استعمال ہوتے ہیں۔

✅ Correct Usage:

  • I need some water. (Not: I need a water)
  • She gave me good advice. (Not: She gave me a good advice)
  • We have a lot of furniture. (Not: We have many furnitures)

❌ Incorrect Usage:

  • I want two breads. (Correct: two slices of bread)
  • She has many informations. (Correct: much information)
  • Give me a rice. (Correct: some rice / a bowl of rice)

Words That Can Be Both Countable & Uncountable

Some nouns change meaning based on whether they're countable or uncountable.

Noun Countable Meaning Uncountable Meaning
glass a drinking container (glasses) the material (glass windows)
paper newspaper (papers) material for writing (paper)
chicken the animal (chickens) the food (chicken meat)
time occasion (three times) duration (much time)

📖 Part 3: Articles (A, An, The) Rules with Daily Use Examples

Articles are small but powerful words that define nouns. English has three articles: A, An, The.

🎯 Simple Rule: A/An = General, The = Specific

Indefinite Articles: A vs. An

Used with singular countable nouns when referring to something general or mentioned for the first time.

Article Rule Examples Urdu Explanation
A Before consonant sounds a book, a university, a European صوتی حرفِ علت سے پہلے
An Before vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u) an apple, an hour, an MBA صوتی حرفِ علت سے پہلے

💡 Important Note: It's about SOUND, not spelling!

  • An hour (silent 'h' → vowel sound begins)
  • A university (sounds like "yoo-niversity" → consonant sound)
  • An honest person (silent 'h' → vowel sound begins)
  • A one-day trip (sounds like "won" → consonant sound)

Definite Article: The

Used when referring to specific or known things.

When to Use "The" Examples Rule Explanation
Specific things The book on the table Not any book, but that specific book
Unique things The sun, the moon, the Earth Only one exists
Superlatives The best, the tallest, the most beautiful Highest degree
Ordinal numbers The first, the second, the last Order/sequence
Rivers, oceans, mountains The Indus River, the Pacific Ocean Geographical features

When NOT to Use Articles

No Article Needed:

  1. Plural countable nouns (general sense): I like the cats. (General statement)
  2. Uncountable nouns (general sense): I drink the milk every day.
  3. Proper nouns: I live in the Lahore. (Exception: The United States)
  4. Meals (general): We eat the breakfast at 8 AM.
  5. Languages: She speaks the English fluently.

Articles in Daily Life Examples

Situation Correct Usage Urdu Context
Shopping I need a pen. Can you give me the blue pen? مجھے ایک قلم چاہیے۔ کیا آپ مجھے وہ نیلا قلم دے سکتے ہیں؟
Classroom A student asked a question. The question was about grammar. ایک طالب علم نے ایک سوال پوچھا۔ وہ سوال گرامر کے بارے میں تھا۔
Office We need to attend a meeting. The meeting starts at 10 AM. ہمیں ایک میٹنگ میں شرکت کرنی ہے۔ وہ میٹنگ صبح ۱۰ بجے شروع ہوگی۔
Restaurant I would like an orange juice. Is the juice fresh? میں ایک اورنج جوس چاہوں گا۔ کیا یہ جوس تازہ ہے؟

📝 Practice Exercises & Quiz

Exercise 1: Identify Sentence Types

1. "What a beautiful painting!"

Answer: Exclamatory Sentence

2. "Please pass the salt."

Answer: Imperative Sentence

Exercise 2: Countable or Uncountable?

1. Furniture - Can you count it? One furniture, two furnitures?

Answer: Uncountable (We say: pieces of furniture)

Exercise 3: A, An, or The?

1. I saw ___ elephant at ___ zoo. ___ elephant was very big.

Answer: an, the, The

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can we use "a" or "an" with uncountable nouns?

A: No. Uncountable nouns never take "a" or "an." Use measurement words instead: a glass of water, not a water.

Q2: Why do we say "an hour" but "a university"?

A: Because "hour" starts with a vowel sound (silent H), while "university" starts with a "yoo" consonant sound.

Q3: What's the difference between "some rice" and "a rice"?

A: "Rice" is uncountable, so "a rice" is incorrect. Use "some rice" or "a bowl of rice."

Q4: Can imperative sentences be polite?

A: Yes! Add "please" or use question form: "Could you please close the door?"

Q5: When should I use "the" with countries?

A: Use "the" with country names that are plural or contain common nouns: The United States, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands.

🎯 Summary & Final Tips

📚 Quick Revision Guide:
  1. 4 Sentence Types: Declarative (.), Interrogative (?), Imperative (.), Exclamatory (!)
  2. Countable Nouns: Can count (book → books), use a/an, numbers
  3. Uncountable Nouns: Cannot count individually (water, advice), use measurement words
  4. Articles: A/An = general, The = specific, No article = general plural/uncountable

انگریزی گرامر کے یہ تینوں پہلو روزمرہ بول چال میں بہت اہم ہیں۔ تھوڑی سی مشق آپ کو ان میں مہارت دلا سکتی ہے۔

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