GRAMMAR IN USE: SENTENCES — IMPERATIVE AND EXCLAMATORY

Subject: English | Topic: Tourist attraction sites — World | Level: Age 14 (Kenya)

Quick overview
  • Imperative sentences give commands, instructions, requests or directions. They often start with the verb. Example: "Visit the Maasai Mara." 📸
  • Exclamatory sentences show strong feeling — surprise, joy, admiration. They usually end with an exclamation mark (!). Example: "What a beautiful view of Mount Kenya!" 🏞️

1. Imperative Sentences

Form and use:

  • Structure: base verb + object or phrase. Subject (you) is usually not written: Go to Diani Beach.
  • Negative: use don't / do not before the verb: Don't feed the animals in the park.
  • Polite requests: add please or begin with could/would you: Please take photos from the viewpoint. / Could you help carry the map?
  • Suggestions with let's: include speaker and others: Let's visit Fort Jesus tomorrow.
  • Warnings and signs: short, strong commands: Keep off the cliff!
Imperative examples (tourist places):
  1. Visit the Maasai Mara for the great migration.
  2. Don't climb the fence at Nairobi National Park.
  3. Please use the marked trails at Mount Kenya.
  4. Let's take a boat trip on Lake Victoria.
  5. Take plenty of water when hiking Longonot.

2. Exclamatory Sentences

Form and use:

  • Use ! to show strong feeling: surprise, admiration, fear, joy.
  • Begin with What / How to form a full exclamation:
    • What + a/an + noun phrase + subject + verb! — e.g., What an amazing sunrise at Amboseli!
    • How + adjective/adverb + subject + verb! — e.g., How beautiful the view is from the viewpoint!
  • Short exclamations: use interjections or single phrases: Wow, the Victoria Falls are spectacular!
Exclamatory examples (tourist places):
  • What a stunning sight at Victoria Falls!
  • How tall Mount Kilimanjaro looks today!
  • Wow — the Great Wall is incredible!
  • What beautiful coral at Diani Beach!

3. Differences — Quick comparison

  • Imperative: tells or asks someone to do something. Ends with a period or exclamation (if strong). Example: "Please queue here."
  • Exclamatory: shows strong feeling about something. Always uses an exclamation mark. Example: "What a long queue!"

4. Practice exercises

  1. Identify if each sentence is Imperative (I), Exclamatory (E) or Other (O):
    1. What a magnificent view of Mount Kenya!
    2. Pack warm clothes before the hike.
    3. Don't touch the wildlife.
    4. How blue the ocean looks at Lamu!
    5. We saw many elephants in Amboseli National Park.
  2. Change these statements into imperatives or polite requests:
    1. "You must book tickets early." →
    2. "You should be careful on the cliff." →
    3. "You and I will go to Fort Jesus." →
  3. Make exclamatory sentences from these:
    1. The view is amazing. (use What + a ...)
    2. The water is so clear. (use How ...)
    3. That sunset is colourful. (use What ...)
  4. Punctuate and correct (add don't, please, or ! where needed):
    1. feed the monkeys
    2. please close the gate
    3. look at that rainbow over the Rift Valley
Answers (click to reveal)
Exercise 1:
  1. E
  2. I
  3. I
  4. E
  5. O
Exercise 2:
  1. Book tickets early. / Please book your tickets early.
  2. Be careful on the cliff. / Please be careful on the cliff.
  3. Let's go to Fort Jesus. (suggestion)
Exercise 3:
  1. What an amazing view!
  2. How clear the water is!
  3. What a colourful sunset!
Exercise 4:
  1. Don't feed the monkeys.
  2. Please close the gate.
  3. Look at that rainbow over the Rift Valley!
Tip: When visiting Kenyan or world attractions, use imperatives to give clear directions and exclamatory sentences to share feelings. Practise converting statements to these forms to improve writing and speaking.

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