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descriptions, predictions, denials, admissions, notifications, etc. In using a
representative, the speaker makes words fit the world (of belief).
Eg.: a. It’s an interesting book.
b. I don’t know Mary Smith.
c. It was a nice trip.
2. Directives are utterances used to try to get the hearer to do smth. They express what
the speaker wants. The speaker attempts to make the world fit the words.This class
includes acts of asking, inquiring, etc. They include two subcategories:
a) attempts (of varying degrees) by the speaker to get the hearer to do smth. They
are acts of commands, ordering, requesting, suggesting, insisting, recommending,
warning, advising, etc.
Eg a.Close the door.
b. Give me the umbrella, please.
c. You’d better come.
d. Don’t do that.
e. Could I borrow this newspaper?
f. You must come and see it for yourself.
b) questions are used to get the hearer to provide information.
Eg. a.Where did you buy this?
b. Did you finish the work yesterday?

3. Commissives are utterances used to commit the speaker (in varying degree) to some
future course of action. They express what the speaker intends. They are acts of
promising, vowing, volunteering, offering, guaranteeing, pledging, betting, refusing,
threatening, etc. these acts can be performed by the speaker alone, or by the speaker
as a member of a group. In using a commissive, the speaker undertakes to make the
world fit the words.
Eg.: a. I’ll never do that again.
b. I’ll come.
c. I promise to come at 5.
d. I swear I'll do it.
4. Expressives are utterances used to express the emotional/ psychological state of the
speaker toward a particular state of affairs. This class includes act of apologizing,
thanking, congratulating, condoling, welcoming, deploring, objecting, statements of
pleasure, pain, likes, dislikes, joy, sorrow, etc. these acts can be caused by smth the
speaker does or the hearer does, but they are about the speaker’s experience. In using
an expressive, the speaker makes words fit the world (of feeling).
Eg.: a. I’m so sorry.
b. Happy New Year!
c. Congratulations!
d. Oh, it’s great.
e. I must apologize to you.
5. Declarations are utterances used to change the status of some entity. They bring
about the correspondence between the propositional content and reality. This class
includes acts of appointing, naming, resigning, baptizing, surrendering,
excommunicating, arresting, etc. In using a declaration, the speaker changes the world