WISE WEDNESDAY GRAMMAR: CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO FORM

Part 2.

ANALYSIS OF SENTENCES.

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO FORM.

335. All discourse is made up of sentences: consequently the sentence is the unit with which we must begin. And in order to get a clear and practical idea of the structure of sentences, it is necessary to become expert in analysis; that is, in separating them into their component parts.

A general idea of analysis was needed in our study of the parts of speech,-in determining case, subject and predicate, clauses introduced by conjunctions, etc.
A more thorough and accurate acquaintance with the subject is necessary for two reasons,-not only for a correct understanding of the principles of syntax, but for the study of punctuation and other topics treated in rhetoric.

336. A sentence is the expression of a thought in words.

337. According to the way in which a thought is put before a listener or reader, sentences may be of three kinds:-

(1) Declarative, which puts the thought in the form of a declaration or assertion. This is the most common one.
(2) Interrogative, which puts the thought in a question.
(3) Imperative, which expresses command, entreaty, or request.

Any one of these may be put in the form of an exclamation, but the sentence would still be declarative, interrogative, or imperative; hence, according to form, there are only the three kinds of sentences already named.
Examples of these three kinds are, declarative, "Old year, you must not die!" interrogative, "Hath he not always treasures, always friends?" imperative, "Come to the bridal chamber, Death!"

Reference

An English Grammar 1896 by W. M. Baskervill & J. W. Sewell

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