Various types of sentences exist in the English language. Out of this large number of categories there are four distinct categories that are recurring in most texts.

These four types of sentences are assertive, negative, exclamatory and interrogative.

Your work as a student preparing for CLAT is essentially to be thorough about the process of identification of these sentences and the method of transforming one type into another.

An assertive sentence is a sentence that states a fact. Such sentences are simple statements. They state, assert, or declare something. They are also called an assertive or declarative sentence. Assertive sentences usually end with a period or full stop.

Eg. Raju is a dedicated student.

A negative sentence states something is not true or incorrect or presents some fact by using a negative word (e.g. no, not). A negative sentence can be formed when words like “no”, “not”, “don’t” or “doesn’t” is added to the sentence.

Eg. Dogs do not chase after rats.

An exclamatory sentence makes a statement (just like a declarative sentence), but it also conveys excitement or emotion. An exclamatory sentence ends with an exclamation mark (!)

Eg. I just won the award!

An interrogative sentence is a sentence whose grammatical form indicates that it is a question. Interrogative questions end with a question mark.

Eg. How old are you?

Now that you have a fair idea about how each type of sentence is formed, try and solve these questions, specially curated by our CLAT coaching in Kolkata experts to test you. Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Transform this it into a negative sentence.

Everybody is present.

1. Nobody is absent.
2. Nobody is present.
3. Don’t forget to be present.
4. Presence is mandatory!

2. Transform this it into an assertive sentence.

No one can deny that he is an intelligent person.

1. He is an intelligent person.
2. Everyone accepts that he is an intelligent man.
3. Isn’t he an intelligent man?
4. What an intelligent man he is!

3. Transform this it into an exclamatory sentence.

Your attitude is not friendly.

1. Try to change your attitude!
2. What an unfriendly attitude you have!
3. How long do you plan to continue with this unfriendly attitude?
4. Be friendly with everyone.

4. Transform this it into an interrogative sentence.

It was not thoughtful of you to make such a statement.

1. Do you think before making statements?
2. Isn’t it good to think before you speak?
3. What were you thinking while making the statement?
4. Wasn’t it thoughtless of you to make such a statement?

5. Transform this it into an assertive sentence.

How clever of you to act like that!

1. You are a clever person.
2. Being clever affects your actions.
3. It was clever of you to act in that manner.
4. Were you being clever while acting in that way?

6. Transform this it into a negative sentence.

Isn’t the ball yellow in colour?

1. The ball is not pink in colour.
2. The ball is not yellow in colour.
3. The ball should be yellow in colour!
4. The ball is yellow in colour.

7. Transform this it into an exclamatory sentence.

You have a nice dress.

1. Your dress has a nice design.
2. Did you get the dress at a discount?
3. Your dress is not bad.
4. What a nice dress you have!

8. Transform this it into an interrogative sentence.

No one can tolerate this.

1. I refuse to tolerate this!
2. Can anyone be expected to tolerate this?
3. Who is tolerating this?
4. What is required to tolerate this?

9. Transform this it into an assertive sentence.

Is this not a reward in itself?

1. This is not rewarding me.
2. Rewards are hard to come by.
3. This is a reward in itself.
4. Don’t do it for only the reward.

10. Transform this it into a negative sentence.

I am dissatisfied with the way things are progressing.

1. I am not satisfied with the way things are progressing.
2. Am I to be satisfied with the way things are progressing?
3. I want to be satisfied with the way things are progressing.
4. I don’t know if I am to be satisfied with the way things are progressing.

ANSWER KEY

1. a) Nobody is absent.
2. b) Everyone accepts that he is an intelligent man.
3. b) What an unfriendly attitude you have!
4. d) Wasn’t it thoughtless of you to make such a statement?
5. c) It was clever of you to act in that manner.
6. a) The ball is not pink in colour.
7. d) What a nice dress you have!
8. b) Can anyone be expected to tolerate this?
9. c) This is a reward in itself.
10. a) I am not satisfied with the way things are progressing.