Simple Sentences

Simple Sentences

A simple sentence is made up of one independent clause. In order for a clause to be independent, it must be able to stand on its own as a sentence, which means it needs a subject (a noun) and a predicate (a verb).

If we meet these basic requirements, we get short simple sentences:

• Jacob cried.
• Susan laughed.
• Betsy jumped.

Simple sentences can also be long and contain phrases that expand the sentence. Remember that phrases lack the subject-verb combination that clauses have. Each example has one subject and one predicate.

• The dish and spoon ran away.
• The dish did not want to go too far.
• The little dog laughed to see such sport.
• The fancy, silver spoon was happy to be along for the ride.
• The butcher and the baker walked into the hanging beam above the doorway.
• He loved swimming out over the waves into the great expanse of the ocean and feeling so very small.