Practice
Assertive sentences: forms and examples
The meeting starts at nine. I do not agree with that plan. Both sentences give information. In many grammar books, they are called assertive sentences or declarative sentences.
Recognize and write assertive, also called declarative, sentences that state information, opinions, or facts.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
declarative sentence /dɪˈklærətɪv ˈsɛntəns/
The short answer
Use an assertive, or declarative, sentence when you want to state something. It can be positive or negative. In ordinary writing, it usually ends with a period.
The library closes at six on Fridays.
Why it works: The writer gives information. The sentence does not ask the reader to answer or do anything.
5 more examples
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Mina studies at the community college.
This positive statement gives information about Mina.
Not this:
Does Mina studyat the community college? What changes: This is a question because it asks for information rather than giving it. -
The package has not arrived yet.
This negative statement still gives information, so it is assertive.
Not this:
Has the package arrivedyet? What changes: The question asks another person to provide an answer. -
In my opinion, the new schedule is easier to follow.
An assertive sentence can state an opinion as long as it presents that opinion as information.
Not this:
What do you thinkof the new schedule? What changes: This asks for an opinion instead of stating one. -
The children are playing in the courtyard.
The sentence describes an action that is happening.
Not this:
Playin the courtyard. What changes: This is an imperative sentence because it tells someone what to do. -
Our flight was delayed by an hour.
The sentence reports an event, even though the news may be frustrating.
Not this:
What a long delaythat was! What changes: This exclamation expresses strong feeling rather than simply reporting the event.
Read the full guide
First, ask what the sentence is doing. If it tells the reader something, it is probably assertive. Then check the ending. A period is the usual punctuation for a statement. A negative statement is still assertive because it gives information.
Start with the sentence's purpose
An assertive sentence tells the reader something. It may give a fact, describe a situation, or share an opinion. Many grammar books call the same form a declarative sentence.
The workshop begins after lunch.
The sentence gives the time of the workshop. It does not ask for information.
Does The workshop begins after lunch state information or ask for information?
It states information, so it is an assertive sentence.
Write positive statements
A positive assertive sentence says that something is true, happens, or exists. It usually follows a familiar subject and verb pattern.
My brother works from home on Wednesdays.
The sentence reports a regular fact about the speaker's brother.
Choose the positive statement: The café opens at seven. or Does the café open at seven?
Use The café opens at seven. It gives information instead of asking a question.
Negative statements are still assertive
A sentence does not stop being assertive when it includes not, never, or another negative word. It is still a statement if it tells the reader that something is not true or does not happen.
The museum does not open on Mondays.
The negative form gives a piece of information about the museum's schedule.
Is The museum does not open on Mondays a question or a statement?
It is a negative statement, so it is assertive.
Use a period for a statement
In ordinary writing, an assertive sentence usually ends with a period. The period helps the reader see that the sentence has finished giving information.
I left the keys on the kitchen table.
The period fits because the speaker reports where the keys are.
Which mark usually ends a plain statement: a period or a question mark?
Use a period for a plain assertive sentence.
Keep statements separate from questions and commands
A question asks someone for information, and a command tells someone to do something. An exclamation mainly shows strong feeling. An assertive sentence makes a statement, even when the statement includes an opinion or a negative idea.
I think the blue folder is in the cabinet.
The speaker states an opinion. Compare it with Where is the blue folder? which asks a question.
Which sentence is assertive: Put the folder away. or The folder is on the desk.
The folder is on the desk is assertive because it states information.
Before you go
Remember this
An assertive sentence, also called a declarative sentence, makes a statement. It can be positive or negative and usually ends with a period. Check the sentence's purpose: statements are assertive, while questions ask, commands direct, and exclamations show strong feeling.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Assertive sentences: forms and examples"
What is an assertive sentence?
An assertive sentence makes a statement. It can give a fact, describe a situation, share an opinion, or say that something is not true. In many grammar books, assertive sentence and declarative sentence name the same basic kind of sentence. Most ordinary statements end with a period.
Mina studies at the community college.
Is an assertive sentence the same as a declarative sentence?
Usually, yes. Assertive is a traditional label used in some grammar lessons, while declarative is common in modern grammar descriptions. Both labels refer to a sentence whose main job is to state information. The term does not mean that the speaker has an aggressive or especially confident tone.
Does Mina study at the community college?
Can an assertive sentence be negative?
Yes. A negative sentence still makes a statement when it says that something is not true or does not happen. The museum does not open on Mondays is assertive because it gives schedule information. The word not changes the meaning, but it does not turn the statement into a question or command.
The package has not arrived yet.
What punctuation does an assertive sentence use?
An ordinary assertive sentence usually ends with a period. The period tells the reader that a statement has ended. Use a question mark when the sentence asks for information, and use an exclamation mark when the sentence is written as an exclamation. Let the sentence's purpose guide the punctuation.
Has the package arrived yet?
How is an assertive sentence different from a question?
An assertive sentence gives information, while a question asks for information. The bus arrives at eight is a statement. Does the bus arrive at eight asks another person to answer. The words may be similar, but the sentence form and punctuation show the different purpose.
In my opinion, the new schedule is easier to follow.