What is the Difference Between Imperative and Interrogative Sentences?

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The main difference between imperative and interrogative sentences lies in their purpose and structure. Here are the key differences:

Imperative Sentences:

  • Give commands or make requests.
  • End with a period (.) or exclamation mark (!).
  • The subject is usually omitted because it is understood to be "you."
  • Can be positive or negative.
  • Examples: "Hold the cup," "Run when you hear a gunshot," "Leave my office now!".

Interrogative Sentences:

  • Ask questions and gather information.
  • Always end with a question mark (?).
  • Can have various subjects.
  • Examples: "Are your assets frozen?", "Do you work night shifts?", "How do you cope after his passing?".

In summary, imperative sentences are used to give commands or make requests, while interrogative sentences are used to ask questions and gather information.

Comparative Table: Imperative vs Interrogative Sentences

Here is a table summarizing the differences between imperative and interrogative sentences:

Feature Imperative Sentences Interrogative Sentences
Purpose Giving commands or orders, making requests Asking questions or gathering information
Subject Often omitted or implied Usually present
Word Order Main verb first, subject implied or understood Wh-word or how + auxiliary verb + subject
Punctuation Full stop (.) or exclamation mark (!) Question mark (?)
Examples - Hold the cup
- Run when you hear a gunshot
- Leave my office now!
- Are your assets frozen?
- Do you work night shifts?
- How do you cope after his passing?
- Why did you fail?

Imperative sentences are used to give commands, orders, or make requests, and often have the subject omitted or implied. They can be either positive or negative and are usually punctuated with a full stop or exclamation mark.

Interrogative sentences, on the other hand, are used to ask questions or gather information. They have a wh-word or "how" followed by an auxiliary verb and the subject, and typically end with a question mark. Interrogative sentences can also be positive or negative, depending on the context.