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Simple Sentences

Understanding and using different types of sentence structure helps us to add variety and interest to our writing.

There are four broad types of sentence structure in English: simple, compound, complex and compound-complex. This article focuses on simple sentences.

What is a simple sentence?

A simple sentence (or independent clause) is a word group that contains a subject and a verb and forms a complete thought. Here is an example:

  • The girls rowed past the dock.

Girls is the subject, rowed is the verb, and the entire word group forms a complete thought—that is, it makes sense by itself.

Are there different ways to structure a simple sentence?

Yes. The formulas below use S for subject and V for verb to show different structures that can appear in a simple sentence:

  • S+V The girls rowed past the dock.
    (1 subject, 1 verb)
  • S+S+V Sarah and Tiffany raised the sail.
    (2 subjects, 1 verb)
  • S+V+V The wind had fallen but was rising quickly by late afternoon. (1 subject, 2 verbs)
  • S+S+V+V Gulls and terns circled overhead or floated on the water. (2 subjects, 2 verbs)
  • V+S Across the waves to the island sped the boat.
    (verb before subject for effect)
  • V+S? Was the island inhabited?
    (verb before subject in a question)
  • V+S+V? Have you gone there before?
    (verb before and after subject in a question)
  • There+V+S There are no people on the island.
    (there + verb before subject)
  • Here+V+S Here is a small harbour.
    (here + verb before subject)
  • V Lower the sail. Row to shore.
    (command verbs; subject you is not stated)

Can a simple sentence have more than one subject or verb?

A simple sentence can have a compound subject or verb, or both. A compound subject or verb has two or more parts joined by a word like and, but or or.

When the subject is compound, the subjects are sharing the verb:

  • Sarah and Tiffany raised the sail.

When the verb is compound, the subject is performing both actions:

  • The wind had fallen but was rising quickly by late afternoon.

Both the subject and verb can be compound. In that case, the subjects are sharing in all the actions named:

  • Gulls and terns circled overhead or floated on the water.

Since all the subjects go with the same verb and all the verbs with the same subject, each example forms only one complete thought—that is, one sentence.

How should I use simple sentences?

Simple sentences are grammatically correct, but too many can make your writing less interesting. Use them sparingly, therefore.

A few well-placed simple sentences can create a stylistic effect when combined with longer compound and complex sentences. In the following passage, the two simple sentences at the end emphasize the speed of events and the sudden danger:

  • The storm broke with a fury before they could reach shelter. Slipping and stumbling on the muddy ground, they dragged the canoe farther up the shore; then, wet and exhausted, they battled their way to the cabin. Suddenly, lightning struck. The roof was on fire!
Date Modified: 2012-03-29

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