Statements and Their Parts

Abstract

The term “sentence” is drawn from grammar, in which distinction is made between declarative, interrogative, imperative, etc., sentences. In grammar these terms are understood structurally, so to say outwardly, which means that in grammar each of the above-mentioned types of sentences is defined as a class of expressions that have a specified structure. In our interpretation, the various types of sentences will be described according to their meaning, and not according to their structure. Expressions which have the structure of interrogative sentences are often used to formulate statements and denials. In such cases we speak about what is termed rhetorical questions. From our point of view, they are declarative, and not interrogative, sentences. Expressions which have the structure of nouns, and hence terms, are sometimes used to make certain statements; for instance, the noun “fire” is sometimes used in the same sense as “there is a fire over there”. “I see a fire”, etc. From our point of view, these expressions⁷ are declarative sentences, since in the meaning described above they are statements of facts.