Simple Sentence

Simple Sentence

A Simple sentence is just a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate which gives a main idea or provides a complete thought.

Subject could be a noun or a pronoun.

Main idea of the sentence is given by a predicate.

A predicate consists of one or more word which has a verb in it.

In above examples Michael, He and Sanna are also called dependant variable as Eat, Go and Dance action words cannot be performed without them.

In other words we can say that a simple sentence is nothing but an independent clause.

Before understanding an independent clause let’s understand what a clause is.

Clause is a piece of the sentence that has a subject and a verb.

All sentences are clauses but not all clauses are sentences.

Clause which has a subject and a verb but cannot stand of its own is called as a dependent clause.

Dependent clause provides extra information.

Independent clause has to stand by its own and provide a meaningful idea.

Such sentences which has only one independent clause is called a simple sentence.

For Example:

I am a teacher. – Subject: I Verb: am

She took a car. – Subject: She Verb: Took

We are having pizza tonight. Subject: We Verb: Are Having

Among 3 different types of sentence by structure, we called it as simple sentence as it is just a combination of a subject and predicate presenting a meaningful idea.

Simple sentence plays a very vital role in forming other types of sentences because compound and complex sentences cannot be formed without using a simple sentence.

A simple sentence will never have more than one predicate. There is only one subject doing the action or giving a meaningful idea.

Simple sentence does not mean to be a shot sentence all the time. It could be of different types.

Such as:

• One subject one verb
• Compound subject* one verb
• One subject compound verb*
• Simple sentence with Implied Subject

*When a sentence has more than one subject, it is called compound subject.

John and Sam played till sunset. (John and Sam – Compound subject)

A compound verb is a verb that is made up of more than one word.

John sang and danced till morning. (Sang and danced – compound verb)

One subject one verb simple sentence

This kind of simple sentence has one subject and one verb.

Example:

Marina opened the door.

She sang a song.

Marina, She – Subject

Opened, Sang – Verb

Compound subject, one verb simple sentence

This kind of simple sentence have compound subject.

Example:

My parents and I went to my college.

Samantha and Susan drove till the end.

One subject, compound verb simple sentence.

Example:

Sam went and bought cake.

Joy stood up and shouted in the class.

Simple sentence with Implied Subject

Sometimes simple sentences have a single verb but the sentence does not start with the subject.

But it gives a clear picture to the reader whom the context belongs to.

Example:

Use common sense.

Don’t argue with people.

Above sentences have Implied subject, YOU. Even though “you” is not written in the sentence, it gives a clear idea to whom this is told.

Sometimes we get confused while identifying Sentence types if it is a long sentence.

But by considering the sentence structure we can easily identify them.

Let’s see some examples of long simple sentences.

Three adorable little puppies are running after an old, chewed-up tennis ball bouncing down the hall.

Many great actors, actresses, directors, producers, and sponsors will be part of the award show tonight.