In English grammar, declarative sentences are used to make statements or share information. But sometimes, we need to stress or emphasize a point to make it stand out. That’s where emphatic declarative sentences come into play.
What Is an Emphatic Declarative Sentence?
An emphatic declarative sentence is a statement that uses specific techniques to emphasize a particular idea or emotion. While a regular declarative sentence presents facts or opinions in a neutral tone, an emphatic declarative sentence conveys passion, conviction, or intensity.
For example:
- Regular declarative sentence: I know the answer.
- Emphatic declarative sentence: I do know the answer!
Key Characteristics:
- Subject Emphasis: In an emphatic declarative sentence, the subject is typically placed at the beginning of the sentence to give it more prominence.Example: “I absolutely love chocolate.”
- Specific Language: These sentences often use strong adverbs or adjectives to intensify the statement and convey the speaker’s passion or certainty.Example: “I am completely convinced that this is the right choice.”
- Punctuation: These declarative sentences may end with an exclamation mark (!) to highlight the intensity of the statement.Example: “What a beautiful day!”
Examples:
- Subject Emphasis:
- “I am going to ace this test!”
- “She is the most talented artist in our class.”
- Specific Language:
- “I’m absolutely thrilled about the party!”
- “This is by far the best movie I’ve ever seen.”
- Punctuation:
- “What a fantastic achievement!”
- “I can’t believe you did that!”
Click here for 10 Emphatic Declarative Sentences.
How do you form emphatic declarative sentences?
There are several ways to form emphatic declarative sentences, each adding intensity or focus to the statement. Here are the most common techniques:
- Using Auxiliary Verbs (Do, Does, Did)
Adding auxiliary verbs can emphasize the action or idea.- Example: I do believe in miracles.
- Using Exclamation Points
Adding an exclamation mark highlights strong emotions or excitement.- Example: This is incredible!
- Repetition of Key Words
Repeating words or phrases underscores their importance.- Example: It was a beautiful, beautiful day.
- Inversion for Emphasis
Rearranging word order can draw attention to specific parts of the sentence.- Example: Never have I seen such bravery.
How are emphatic declarative sentences different from regular declarative sentences?
The key difference lies in emphasis and emotional weight. Regular declarative sentences simply convey information without highlighting any particular element. Emphatic declarative sentences, on the other hand, are designed to catch attention, express strong emotions, or underline a critical point.
Example:
- Regular: She likes to read books.
- Emphatic: She does like to read books!
The added auxiliary verb “does” shifts the tone, adding conviction to the statement.
Emphatic declarative sentences are powerful tools in communication, helping us convey strong emotions and draw attention to key points.