What is a Simple Sentence?

A sentence which consists of only one clause that can stand by itself is called a Simple Sentence. In short, a simple sentence is one that consists of only one clause, with a single subject and predicate.

Simple Sentence Examples

(i) Birds fly.

(ii) He is working in the field.

(iii) I have completed my work.

(iv) They have been playing in the playground.

(v) Who came here?

(vi) Father gave me a book.

Each of the above sentences has a subject and a fine verb in its predicate phrase. A finite verb is a verb that shows ‘tense’, present or past. A sentence which consists of only one clause that can stand by itself is called a Simple Sentence.

Simple Sentence EXERCISE-1

Underline the finite verbs and pick out the Simple Sentences from the following list of sentences. (Remember that a simple sentence has only one clause with one finite verb in the predicate phrase).

1. The weather was cold.
2. They elected him secretary of the club.
3. Rabi is playing but his brother is sleeping.
4. My neighbour lent me his bicycle.
5. I have bought a watch which shows the date.
6. Have you written the essay.
7. We haven’t met after he went to college.
8. They have painted the house, which now looks nice.
9. The train had left before I arrived at the station.
10. They have been studying for two hours.

 Kinds of Simple Sentences

Here are the six types of simple sentences.

(1) Declarative/Affirmative- You are clever.

(2) Interrogative – Are you busy?

(3). Negative – He is not a doctor.

(4) Interrogative and Negative- Is that movie not interesting?

(5) Imperative- Be careful.

(6) Exclamatory – How clever he is!

1. Declarative/Affirmative– Simple Sentence

1. My father is a teacher.
2. He went to Puri yesterday.
3. Ramesh will surely win the prize this year.
4. He looks tired.

Each of the above sentences is a statement. Sentences (1) and (2) state facts and sentences (3) and (4) state opinions.

Patterns of the Simple Sentences

Look at the main patterns of the simple sentences in English. Note the different parts of the sentences in each pattern.

1. Subject + Verb

Sl No.	Subject+	Verb (Intransitive)
i.	The child	Laughed
ii.	She	Was shouting
iii.	The sun	Has set.

2. Subject + Verb + Object

Sl No.	Subject+	Verb (Transitive)+	Object
i.	Somebody	Caught	The ball
ii.	The boy	Wrote	an essay
iii.	The Postman	rang	the  bell
iv.	We	may buy	a computer.

3. Subject + Verb + Object + Object

Sl No.	Subject+	Verb (Transitive)+	Object(Direct)+	Object(Indirect)
i.	The Postman	gave	me	a letter.
ii.	His father	bought	him	a bicycle.
iii.	The teacher	asked	the boys	a question.
iv.

4. Subject + Verb + Complement

Sl No.	Subject+	Verb+	Complement
i.	Mr Rath	Is	A doctor
ii.	This pen	Is	Cheap
iii.	She	Looks	Beautiful
iv.	Mary	Is	In the house
v.	He	Became	Tired
vi.	He	Appears	Innocent
vii.	He	Has	Confidence
viii.	I	Feel	Cold
Ix	This flower	Smells	sweet

5. Subject + Verb + Object + Complement

4.  Subject + Verb + Object +Complement	Subject	Verb(Transitive)	Object	Complement
i.	We	Have proved	Him	Wrong
ii.	They	Elected	Him	Chairman
iii.	The book	Has made	Him	Famous

6. Adjuncts

Adjuncts additional elements which can be added. They are not essential parts but may be necessary to make the sentences more meaningful.

Examples of Adjuncts

(i) SVA – The child laughed loudly. (Adjunct)

(ii) SVOA – The boy wrote an essay in class. (Adjunct)

2. Interrogative Simple Sentence

Sentences which are used to ask question are called ‘Interrogative Sentences: An interrogative sentence may be a ‘Yes’/ ‘No’ question or a ‘Wh-“ question.

Examples:

(i). Did you go to Cuttack? (‘Yes/No’ question)

(ii) Who broke the window? (‘Wh-‘ question)

3. Negative Simple Sentence

Sentences which are used to deny, to refuse, to disagree with someone or something is called a negative sentence.

Examples:

1. I do not want your help.
2. He is not ready to come with us.
3. He is not a student.
4. She never goes to the cinema.
5. Isn’t he sincere?
6. Don’t come here.

We have used negative markers such as ‘not’ (or n’t) and ‘never’ in these sentences. These sentences are negative in meaning and are called “Negative Sentences”.

4. Interrogative and Negative

The negative and interrogative sentence is often used literally for sentences with questions.

For example:

1. It seems like just about everyone is signed up for the trip. Who isn’t coming?
2. Is that movie not interesting?

5. Imperative Simple Sentences

An imperative sentence is a sentence that shows: an instruction, makes a request, or issues a command. See the examples.

1. Pass me the salt.
2. Please have another cup of tea.
3. Rise early in the morning.
4. March ahead, soldiers.
5. Have mercy upon us.
6. Take this medicine after food.
7. Beware of the dog.
8. Have a good time.
9. Let’s go for a walk.

In these sentences the subject ‘you’ is not mentioned. These sentences express an order(1), a request (2), advice (3), a command (4), prayer (5), instruction (6), a warning (7), good wishes (8), and a suggestion (9).

Rules for Imperative Sentences

Here are some rules that are followed while making an imperative sentence.

• The subject ‘you ‘ is usually not expressed.
• The verb should be in the base form.
• The sentence can be made negative.
• It has no change in tense, aspect, voice and modality.

6. Exclamatory Sentence:

Sentences such as these express ‘surprise’, ‘admiration’, ‘sorrow’ and other feelings in an emphatic way. They are known as ‘Exclamatory sentences’. Exclamatory sentences usually begin with ‘How’ or ‘What’. Moreover, an exclamation mark (!) is put at the end of the exclamatory sentence.

Look at the following sentences:

1. How beautifully she dances!
2. What a clever boy he is!
3. How fast time flies!
4. What a fine singer he is!

Simple Sentence EXERCISE-2

Turn the following sentences into exclamation with ‘How/What’:

Example: (i) I am very unfortunate- How unfortunate I am!

(ii)He is a very stupid boy-What a stupid boy he is!

1. it is a very interesting story.
2. That was shocking news.
3. He speaks very quickly.
4. The weather is very pleasant today.
5. You are very selfish.
6. He is playing very badly today.
7. He has got very sharp memory.

Simple Sentence EXERCISE-3

How to make a bowl of boiled rice? Use the given verbs in the correct blank spaces to complete the instructions:

[pour, keep, cover, wash, take, put]

___________ a cup of rice, ___________ It properly in a bowl and ___________ it separately. _________ a pot on fire with three cups of water in it. When the water starts to boil, _________ in the washed rice. _________ the port with a lid and let the rice simmer for five minutes. Then the rice grains will be tender and it will be ready to serve.