Simple Sentences: Definition, Examples, & Exercises | Albert.io (2024)

Do you remember the first time you learned how to write a sentence? Most of us are taught how to put three words together to make sentences in kindergarten: I like dogs. She eats cookies. Games are fun! Sound familiar? These three-word sentences are one of the most basic types of simple sentences, and they serve as a foundation to forming more complex sentences. However, simple sentences are not always as simple as three-word sentences.

In this post we’ll review what simple sentences are, the parts of a simple sentence, and different ways to create simple sentences.

Once you’re feeling confident, test yourself with a post-assessment quiz and practice with our high quality, standards-aligned questions here.

The Basics of Simple Sentences

What are Simple Sentences?

A simple sentence is a sentence containing only one clause, or more specifically, an independent clause, with a subject and a predicate.

A simple sentence is typically made up of a subject, verb, and object, or SVO, and creates a complete thought; however, since a simple predicate is a verb or verb phrase only, a simple sentence can also be made up of only a subject and verb (SV).

Subject + Verb + Object (SVO)

• Jessie ate dinner.

Subject + Verb (SV)

• Jessie ate.

Both of these examples are grammatically correct simple sentences, but including an object helps to clarify the full idea of the sentence.

Despite their name, simple sentences can include things that are not so simple. Let’s review the use of modifiers, compound subjects, and compound verbs/predicates in simple sentences.

Modifiers in Simple Sentences

Modifiers are words or phrases that can be included in simple sentences to add more detail. Let’s see how we can modify the simple sentence used above:

• Jessie ate dinner.

Adding Articles/Adjectives

• The hungry Jessie ate a large dinner.

Adding Adverbs

• The hungry Jessie quickly ate a very large dinner.

Adding a Prepositional Phrase

• The hungry Jessie quickly ate a very large dinner after a long day at work.

All of these examples still qualify as simple sentences, because they are all independent clauses that convey a complete thought.

Pro Tip: Ask yourself how the sentence is changed as a result of a modifier.

Compound Subjects in Simple Sentences

Compound subjects are two or more nouns or pronouns sharing the same verb. They are joined using coordinate or correlative conjunctions.

Compound Subjects Using Coordinate Conjunctions

• Jessie and Jade ate dinner.
• Jessie or Jade ate dinner.
• Jessie, Jade, and Titus ate dinner.

Compound Subjects Using Correlative Conjunctions

• Both Jessie and Jade ate dinner.
• Neither Jessie nor Jade ate dinner.

Even with two or more simple subjects, these examples are independent clauses conveying a complete thought, so they are still simple sentences.

Compound Verbs/Predicates in Simple Sentences

Compound verbs, or compound predicates, are two or more verbs/predicates that share the same subject. This may be written as simply as a subject performing multiple verbs (simple predicates) or, more elaborately, as a subject performing multiple complete predicates. The compound verbs/predicates are joined by a conjunction.

Compound Verbs/Simple Predicates

• Jessie cooked and ate dinner.
• Jessie rinsed and washed the dishes.

Compound Predicates

• Jessie ate dinner and washed the dishes.
• Jessie cooked dinner and rinsed the dishes

Again, these examples are all independent clauses conveying a complete thought. So even with multiple verbs, a sentence can be a simple sentence.

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Tips for Using and Identifying Simple Sentences

Tip #1: Subject + Verb + Object (SVO) Simple Sentences Can be Arranged in Different Ways.

While a simple sentence is typically expected to contain a subject, verb, and object, this does not always mean that the subject will be the first thing we see in a sentence. When we place parts of the predicate at the beginning of the sentence or ask a question, the standard SVO arrangement of a simple sentence will vary.

Placing a Part of the Predicate Before the Subject

When the predicate, or verb + object portion of the sentence contains a prepositional phrase or adverb, they can appear at the beginning of the sentence followed by a comma. Check out the following examples to see sentences in both their standard forms and rearranged forms:

Prepositional Phrase:

• We completed our homework after school.
• After school, we completed our homework.

Adverb:

• I ran quickly to the store.
• Quickly, I ran to the store.

Asking a Question

Sentences that ask a question are called interrogative sentences, and they are often simple sentences. Some questions start with the main verb or part of the verb phrase. Look at the examples below to see the placement of the verb in both a question and the statement form of the question:

• Will it rain tomorrow?
• It will rain tomorrow.
  
• Has the race been postponed?
• The race has been postponed.
  
• Were you sick today?
• You were sick today.

Tip #2: Avoid using too many basic simple sentences in your writing.

Remember, basic simple sentences are the first type of sentence we learn how to write. So it’s probably safe to assume that filling our writing with three or four word sentences is not the best idea. Too many simple sentences close together can sound choppy and disconnected. Always revise your work to see where simple sentences can be edited to create more sophisticated writing.

Combine Simple Sentences

If you have a string of very basic simple sentences in your writing, you can probably combine some of those sentences into compound sentences.

Choppy:

• He loves baseball. He first played little league baseball. He joined the baseball team in middle school.

Revised:

• He loves baseball and played little league before joining the baseball team in middle school.

Tip #3: Add more detail.

There’s nothing wrong with using simple sentences in your writing, but you can (and should) use modifiers to enhance simple sentences when possible.

Basic Simple Sentence:

• I visited Chichén Itzá.

Revised:

• On my vacation to Mexico, I visited the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá.

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Applying the Basics: Simple Sentences Review & Practice

Now that you understand what simple sentences are, and how to use them properly in your writing, let’s practice identifying them. Remember, a simple sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause, or one complete thought.

Simple Sentences Exercises & Review

Complete the quick exercise below to assess your mastery of simple sentences.

Determine if the sentence is a simple sentence or not.

1. I finally received my passport for our trip overseas.

• Simple Sentence

2. Last week, she told the funniest joke in the middle of the meeting.

• Simple Sentence

3. Tim went to the store, and he bought a new laptop for school.

• Not a Simple Sentence

4. Julie and Paige went to the amusem*nt park and rode a rollercoaster.

• Simple Sentence

5. I was exhausted after working all day.

• Not a Simple Sentence

For additional practice, check out the Simple Sentences content on Albert.

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Try for Yourself: Simple Sentences Quiz

Feeling confident in your understanding of Simple Sentences?

Take this short quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. Can a simple sentence have more than one subject?

• Answer: Yes
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A simple sentence can have more than one subject, or a compound subject, if they are sharing the same verb. The subjects are joined using coordinate or correlative conjunctions.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. A simple sentence can have more than one subject, or a compound subject, if they are sharing the same verb. The subjects are joined using coordinate or correlative conjunctions.

2. Can a simple sentence be a single dependent clause?

• Answer: No
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A simple sentence must be a single independent clause in order to be a simple sentence. It is a complete thought and can stand alone. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete thought.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete thought. A simple sentence must be a single independent clause in order to be a simple sentence. It is a complete thought and can stand alone.

3. Can a simple sentence have more than one verb?

• Answer: Yes
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A simple sentence can have more than one verb (compound verb/simple predicate) or more than one complete predicate (compound predicate) if they share the same subject. They are combined using a conjunction.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. A simple sentence can have more than one verb (compound verb/simple predicate) or more than one complete predicate (compound predicate) if they share the same subject. They are combined using a conjunction.

4. Does a simple sentence always start with the subject?

• Answer: No
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A simple sentence can start with part of the predicate. This might be a prepositional phrase, and adverb, or a question.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. A simple sentence can start with part of the predicate. This might be a prepositional phrase, and adverb, or a question.

5. Is the following example a simple sentence?

After eating breakfast, Hayley went to dance practice, and she prepared for her performance.

• Answer: No
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A simple sentence can have more than one predicate when that predicate shares the same subject. In this sentence, there are two independent clauses: After eating breakfast, Hayley went to dance practice. She prepared for her performance.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. A simple sentence can have more than one predicate when that predicate shares the same subject. In this sentence, there are two independent clauses: After eating breakfast, Hayley went to dance practice. She prepared for her performance.

6. Is the following example a simple sentence?

Jim and Amy thoroughly cleared out the basem*nt and hired contractors for a remodel.

• Answer: Yes
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A simple sentence can have compound subjects and compound predicates as long as they form one complete thought. The subjects share the predicates, and the predicates share the subjects. In this case, the compound subject “Jim and Amy” share the compound predicates “thoroughly cleared out the basem*nt” and “hired contractors for a remodel.”
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. A simple sentence can have compound subjects and compound predicates as long as they form one complete thought. The subjects share the predicates, and the predicates share the subjects. In this case, the compound subject “Jim and Amy” share the compound predicates “thoroughly cleared out the basem*nt” and “hired contractors for a remodel.”

For additional practice with simple sentences, check out our completely free practice on Albert.io: Simple Sentences.

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Teacher’s Corner for Simple Sentences

While it’s true that simple sentences are a foundational grammar skill, the Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart shows that even elementary-level skills “require continued attention in higher grades as they are applied to increasingly sophisticated writing and speaking.”

For specific standards addressing simple sentences, check out the Common Core State Standards site!

Albert’s grammar course is 100% free, and the Simple Sentences practices can be used for much more than homework!

Our assessments can be used as pre-and post-tests to measure student progress. Our pre-made quizzes can be used as bell-ringers, exit tickets, and more!

In addition to our pre-made assessments, you can also use our assignments feature to create your own quizzes and assessments.

Summary on Simple Sentences

Simple sentences are sentences containing one independent clause, with a subject and a predicate.

Modifiers, compound subjects, and compound verbs/predicates can be used in simple sentences.

The standard arrangement of a simple sentence is subject + verb + object, or SVO order. This can vary by arranging parts of the predicate before the subject.

Practice makes perfect! Use our Simple Sentences practice on Albert’s completely free grammar course!

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