Types of sentences and punctuation marks – basic principles
How it works
In German, the basic sentence types are mainly declarative sentences, interrogative sentences, imperative sentences, and exclamatory sentences. Each sentence type has typical features and often a specific punctuation mark: a declarative sentence usually ends with a period, an interrogative sentence with a question mark, an imperative sentence usually with an exclamation mark, but sometimes also with a period, and an exclamatory sentence with an exclamation mark. Punctuation marks help to recognize and correctly understand the meaning and structure of a sentence. However, the function of the sentence is always decisive as well.
Sentence types are recognized by their function and often also by their punctuation mark: declarative sentences inform (usually .), interrogative sentences ask (? for direct questions), imperative sentences tell someone to do something (usually !, in polite or mild forms also .), exclamatory sentences express feelings or strong emphasis (!).
An example
Which punctuation mark belongs at the end of the following sentence? ‹Kannst du mir bitte helfen›
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: German. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.