What Is An Optative Sentence? – Meaning and Definition

What is an Optative Sentence?: An optative Sentence is an important part of English grammar. We generally use optative sentences when we want to express a wish, prayer, or other kind of sentiment. For example, “May you do well in the test” or “I wish I had a kite” are optative sentences.

Understanding what is an optative sentence helps you expand your knowledge of grammar and is useful for school as well as competitive exams. It also helps speak and write English more naturally. So, continue reading to learn the definition, structure, and examples of optative sentences.

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Optative Sentence Meaning

While learning different types of sentences, many wonder about the optative sentence meaning. An optative sentence is a type of sentence that expresses a strong wish, hope, or desire for someone or something. It often shows what we want to happen in the future or what we wish for someone else’s well-being.

Words like "may," "wish," "let," and "long" are commonly used to start Optative sentences. For example, “May you stay healthy” or “I wish you happiness” are some examples of optative sentences. Sometimes, optative sentences are used to give blessings, good luck, or even encouragement. 

Optative Sentences can also be used in formal writing or speech to sound polite and respectful. For example, “Let there be peace in the world” or “Long live the nation”—these show how optative sentences express hopes or desires in a clear and meaningful way.

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Definition of Optative Sentence

Here are some definitions of an optative sentence as per different dictionaries:

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: An optative sentence is one “constituting a verbal mood that is expressive of wish or desire.”

• Collins Dictionary: It is defined as a sentence “indicating or expressing choice, preference, or wish.”

Optative Sentence Structure

Optative sentence structure is used to express a wish, hope, or desire. To understand it better, check some common optative sentence structures here:

May + Subject + Verb

This is used to make a wish or hope.

Long + Verb + Subject

This is used when we hope someone or something lives for a long time.

Wish + Pronoun + Others

We use this to give a direct wish to someone.

Let + Verb + Others

This is used to pray or hope that something happens.

Fixed Expressions

Some phrases are always used as wishes.

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Examples of Optative Sentences

Examples of optative sentences help us understand how wishes, hopes, or prayers are expressed in English. By looking at different examples, it becomes easier to learn how optative sentence structure actually works. 

• May you always stay happy!

• Long live our freedom!

• Wish you a safe journey!

• Let there be peace on earth!

• God bless you with good health!

• May this new year bring joy to you!

• Long live true friendship!

• Wish you a very happy birthday!

• May your exam go well!

• Let the celebrations begin!

• Happy Journey!

• May she recover soon!

• Long live our soldiers!

• Wish you success in life!

• May you shine bright like the sun!

• Get well soon!

• Let us always speak the truth!

• May he find peace!

• Long live our teachers!

• Wish you all the best!

Also Read: Affirmative Sentence

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Common Mistakes to Avoid with Optative Sentences

When you write optative sentences, there are some common mistakes you may make. It is important to avoid them in order to give correct answers. Here are some common mistakes to avoid with optative sentences:

• Mixing with exclamatory sentences: Do not confuse optative sentences with exclamatory ones. For example, “What a beautiful day!” is exclamatory, not optative.

• Forgetting the right starting words: You should always start optative sentences with words like "may," "wish," "let," or "long." Without these, your sentence will not be correct.

• Using commands instead of wishes: Sometimes you may write a command instead of a wish. Remember, commands belong to imperative sentences, not optative ones.
  For example, “Open the door!” is a command, not a wish.

• Wrong punctuation: Many times, the exclamation mark (!) is missed at the end. Strong wishes are generally written with an exclamation mark, not just a full stop (.).

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