Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

CLAUSE TYPES AND SPEECH ACTS

410

The chapter Clause types (290–303) described the basic types of clause. The

clause types most directly correspond to common speech acts as shown in the

table below.

Typical correspondences between clause types and speech acts

clause type

typical speech act

examples

declarative

statement

He works in Barsham.

interrogative

question

How long did it take?

imperative

directive

Put it all in a pile here.

exclamative

exclamation

How nice you look!

However, such a direct correspondence is not always the case, and the clause

types, especially declarative and interrogative, are used to perform other speech

acts too, as shown in the table below.

Other possible correspondences between clause types and speech acts

clause type

possible speech acts

examples

declarative

question

A: So you’re going to be here about quarter past? 

B: Yeah quarter past, twenty past, yeah. 

command

You sit there.

offer

I’ll hold that for you.

exclamation

There’s a rat!

interrogative

command

Will you be quiet!

request

Could you carry this for me?

intensified statement, 

Was I embarrassed when I realised what had 

or exclamation

happened! 

(I’m telling you I was embarrassed)

imperative

warning about a 

Do that again and I’m going to smack you.

particular course of 

action

offer

Have a banana.

682 | Speech acts

Cambridge Grammar of English

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Declarative clauses functioning as questions 

410a

A declarative clause may function in context as a question. Although these are less

frequent than interrogative questions, a common type of declarative question is

when a speaker checks an assumption or inference drawn from the ongoing

conversation. Initial so and/or final then are common in such questions:

[speaker A is recounting how an elderly relative has found a good place to live

in her old age]

A: It’s a little terraced house. And sort of very old fashioned but spotlessly

clean and very cosy. 

B: Oh well. 

A: New kitchen new what not. 

B: Yeah. 

A: And a thousand and something a month. 

B: Yeah. So you’re pleased? 

A: Oh I’m relieved. Yes. Yes.

A: So you had a good day at work then?

B: Yes it was all right.

The declarative question may also be used as a comprehension check:

[speaker A is on the phone to a printing company to check on the progress of a

print job] 

A: I’m ringing just to see if everything was okay with the job when Dave got it

opened up and printing out and everything. 

B: Ah. No, he said this morning there were some fonts missing, Chris. 

A: There were some fonts missing? 

B: Yes. 

Û

430 Declarative questions on the intonation of declarative questions