Simple Sentence

What Is a Simple Sentence? (with Examples)

A simple sentence has just one independent clause. A simple sentence has no dependent clauses.

An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a sentence.

Examples of Simple Sentences

Below are examples of simple sentences.

• I cannot drink warm milk.
• A day without sunshine is like night.
• Only the mediocre are always at their best. (Jean Giraudoux)
• Reality continues to ruin my life. (Bill Watterson)

The Four Types of Sentence Structure

A complex sentence is one of four main sentence structures, all of which are shown below. In these examples, the independent clauses are shaded.

A Complex Sentence. A complex sentence has an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. For example:

• When you write a comic strip, the person on the left always speaks first. (George Carlin)

A Compound Sentence. A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses. For example:

• I used to jog, but the ice cubes kept falling out of my glass. (David Lee Roth)

A Simple Sentence. A simple sentence has just one independent clause. For example:

• You're only as good as your last haircut. (Fran Lebowitz)

A Compound-Complex Sentence.  A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. For example:

• I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph. (Shirley Temple)

A Quick Test

• This test has questions.
• You will score at least 5 points for a correct answer.
• You will score bonus points for answering the questions quickly.
• Be careful though. Wrong answers score 0 points.
• The maximum score is .

Scoring System

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