Simple Sentences in English: 200 Example Types

What are Simple Sentences?

Let’s understand by looking at some examples of simple sentences in English.

“She is a dancer.”
“They are neighbors.”
“We are coming.”
“Tomorrow is Monday.”
“The train left.”
“We have no news.”
“There is an emergency.”
“The book is missing.”
“No one informed us.”
“It is possible.”

As you would observe in these examples of simple English sentences above, they are remarkably easy to make, great for beginners, and have uncomplicated grammar structures that even young kids can immediately start making from the very beginning days of the English language learning process.

Ironically, when one looks to define what a simple sentence is, it immediately gets drowned in jargon.

A Look at Dictionary Definitions of Simple Sentences

Here’s a brief look at the definition of simple sentences by leading Dictionaries.

• Cambridge Dictionary defines it as a sentence that only has one verb.
• Collins Dictionary emphasizes that it has a single main clause.
• Dictionary.com extols that it has one independent clause.
• Macmillan Dictionary details it down to a sentence that has a subject, a verb, an object in the company of perhaps complements and adjunct(s).

Simple Sentences Have a Subject and a Verb as in

1. She runs.
2. He eats.
3. They dance.
4. The dog barks.
5. She announces.
6. They diversified.
7. We calculated.
8. He summarized.
9. She performed.
10. The judge concluded.

In all the simple sentences examples above, the verbs have been bolded to help you differentiate the verbs from the subjects.

Simple Sentences Have a Single Main Clause as in

• I play.
• She reads.
• They sleep.
• He sings.
• They issued the tickets.
• We distributed the pamphlets.
• We notified the applicants.
• They organized a committee.
• He withdrew his complaint.
• She finished the artwork.

You can observe the immediate linkage between the subject and the verb in the main clauses in the above simple sentences examples.

Simple Sentences Have One Independent Clause as in

• She enjoys reading novels.
• The sun shines brightly in the morning.
• They went for a walk after dinner.
• He plays the guitar beautifully.
• The cat chased the mouse around the house.
• He bargained down the price well.
• She shifted out of the apartment.
• They are consulting with a new lawyer.
• The bridges have been designed well.
• We are going trekking this weekend.

Each sentence above has a subject and a verb. All these sentences convey complete meaning with no additional information that needs to be tagged with another clause or complement.

Simple Sentences Have a Subject, a Verb, an Object, with Complements or Adjunct(s) as in

• She reads books.
• He eats pizza.
• They play soccer.
• The dog chases the cat.
• He directs the traffic.
• She delivers the inaugural speech.
• They hosted a welcome party.
• They designed the new runway.
• It is postponed indefinitely.
• The telecast was interrupted.

Note that the sentences are similar to the previous set since the portion after the verb performs the same function in both cases.

When Do We Use Simple Sentences?

Since these are basic sentences in English, composed of the most basic structures, they are used to convey facts, directions, likes, dislikes, emotions, directions, descriptions and more. Safe to say that these are basic English sentences that we hear everyday, everywhere, as in:

• I can sing. (information sharing on ability)
• He has three daughters. (facts)
• They should return home. (advice)
• Turn left after Apex Mall. (directions)
• Give me two packs of Maggi noodles. (directions)
• The playground is tiny. (description)
• The neighbors are inquisitive. (description)
• They got the clearance. (fact sharing)
• We reapplied for the permit. (update sharing)
• They released the convicts. (information sharing)

A Grammarian’s Breakdown of Simple Sentences

While dictionaries explain a simple sentence in such terms, a grammarian will delight in informing that a simple sentence is composed of:

• Has a subject + a predicate
• Has compound subjects (more than one) + a conjunction
• Has one subject + compound predicates (more than one: Verbs)

Let’s now consider a few simple sentences examples for each of these cases.

Simple Sentences Have a Subject and a Predicate:

1. She is happy.
2. He looks tired.
3. They seem excited.
4. The sky appears blue.
5. The table is wobbly.
6. The system is robust.
7. Capitalism has worked for America.
8. The telecast was widely watched.
9. He thought it was fairly easy.
10. The report is incomplete.

The part of the sentence after the bolded subject is the predicate!

Simple Sentences Have Compound Subjects and Conjunction as in

Note: Compound subjects simply mean that the sentence has more than one subject.

• She and he dance.
• Dogs and cats play.
• Apples and oranges grow.
• He and she debate.
• America and China partnered well.
• The man and his watchman were alert.
• The father and son performed together.
• The cricketer and the coach addressed the public.
• The board members and staff opposed the move.
• The right-wing and left-wing agreed on the resolution.

Simple Sentences Have One Subjects and Compound Predicates

Note: Compound predicates refer to a plural form of the predicate. See examples below where the subject is doing two things: i.e. two verb actions.

• She runs and jumps.
• He sings and dances.
• They eat and sleep.
• The dog barks and howls.
• The trader buys and sells the goods.
• The domestic help washes and presses clothes.
• He cleans and polishes old cars.
• The robber stole and sold the jewelry.
• The government surveyed and populated the results.
• He listened and agreed with the students.

However, to keep matters simple, we will focus more on the simple English language usage patterns rather than the grammar elements in composing them. An English speaker on the other hand is just thinking of a simple sentence as an uncomplicated sentence!

What is an Independent Clause?

It is a wholesome sentence that has its subject, its verb, and it conveys complete meaning. It needs nothing more! Therefore, it is not dependent on any more informational clauses. Well, so we call it an independent clause!

• Andy enjoys skating!
• The song album has Hindustani influences.
• Managers depend on supervisors.

As you can see above, the independent clause has ONE CHUNK of information.

6 Types of Simple Sentences in English Based On Punctuation and More

Experts weigh in with more structural analysis on the simple sentence. Depending on the punctuation in the simple sentence, we could arrive at other ways of addressing it, based on the ones that end with a period. (.), with a question mark (?) or an exclamation mark (!).

Another way to classify simple sentences in English would be as affirmative, negative, and injunctive sentences.

1.Declarative Simple Sentences End with a Full stop (.)

A declarative simple sentence simply are statements that state facts, truths, rules and regulations, etc. The majority of things we express in any language is perhaps this kind.

1. She runs fast.
2. He delivers newspapers.
3. She sews women’s clothes.
4. They are building contractors.
5. The puppy is adorable.
6. He recruited the new team.
7. They lost money on the deal.
8. They harvested the crop a week late.
9. They stopped dealing with the distributor.
10. The problem is complicated.

2. Affirmative Simple Sentences are Positive Forms

Affirmative sentences are positive sentences such as these, which is a reference to the action associated with the verb in the sentence. It will never be with a “not” form here.

1. I like ice cream.
2. She enjoys playing outside.
3. He loves his pet cat.
4. We have fun at the park.
5. They feel happy when they’re together.
6. The management gave Diwali gifts to the staff.
7. The mechanic gifted his took kit.
8. The policy supports new businesses.
9. I will help you.
10. They will reach in time.

3. Negative Simple Sentences Have a Negation Form (not)

Negative sentences are simple sentences such as these where there is a negation with a “not” form as in, isn’t, hasn’t, haven’t don’t, didn’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t, wouldn’t, mustn’t, etc.

1. I don’t want to go to bed.
2. She doesn’t like spinach.
3. He can’t ride a bike yet.
4. We haven’t finished our dinner.
5. They aren’t going to the party.
6. They couldn’t finish on time.
7. We shouldn’t allow this to continue.
8. They may not join tomorrow.
9. He isn’t interested anymore.
10. I cannot assure you.

4. Interrogative Simple Sentences have a Question mark (?)

These sentences are question forms and can use regular and irregular verbs, modal verbs, gerunds and more.

1. Does he dance?
2. Can he manage?
3. Will she join us for lunch?
4. Should I return the deposit?
5. Is she home on Sundays?
6. Could you hear the speaker?
7. May I come in?
8. Would you like some coffee?
9. Is there free parking around here?
10. Have you informed the staff about the power outage?

5. Exclamatory Simple Sentences End with an Exclamation mark(!)

These forms express emotions such as surprise, happiness, excitement, disappointment, regret, alarm, fear, and a variety of human emotions. See the examples:

1. How beautiful it is!
2. He is a charmer!
3. That was naughty!
4. This is unbelievable!
5. What a surprise!
6. Wow, what a beautiful sunset!
7. Look at that cute puppy!
8. Oh no, I forgot my keys!
9. Yay, it’s snowing outside!
10. Awesome, I got an A on my test!
11. Ouch, that hurt!
12. Fantastic, we won the game!
13. Oh dear, I spilled my drink!
14. Amazing, I can’t believe it’s already summer!
15. Oh wow, that’s a huge tree!

6. Injunctive Simple Sentences Have an Order, a Command, etc.

Injunctive sentences are sentences which contain an instruction, a command, an advice, or an order.

1. Please clean your room.
2. Don’t touch the hot stove.
3. Keep the door closed.
4. Put your toys away.
5. Wash your hands before dinner.
6. Don’t run in the hallway.
7. Turn off the lights when you leave.
8. Finish your homework before playing.
9. Close the window before you leave.
10. Be kind to others.

Simple Sentences with Parts of Speech

Simple sentences in English can also have adjectives, adverbs or preposition’s or their clauses. Notice the basic English sentences below to observe and learn the differences.

With Adjectives

The words tall, red, big, and fluffy are adjectives being used.

• He is a tall boy.
• She has a red dress.
• They live in a big house.
• The cat is fluffy.
• The kids were disappointed.
• They left bad comments.
• The movie got good reviews.
• The performance was hopeless.
• The teacher is partial.
• The parents were supportive.

With Adverbs

Where a verb is a word denoting action, the manner of how a subject performs a verb action becomes the adverb. They often end with –ly, just as in the examples below.

• She sings loudly.
• He runs quickly.
• They eat slowly.
• The birds chirp happily.
• He left angrily.
• The kids ate greedily.
• She sang effortlessly.
• He smiled sheepishly.
• They spoke convincingly.
• We left rather hastily.

With Prepositions

Prepositions in these easy basic English sentences also perform the same fundamental function of showing the position of something in relation to something else.

• He sits on the chair.
• She walks to the park.
• They play in the garden.
• The cat sleeps under the bed.
• He slept in the shade.
• We stepped over the puddles.
• The kid ran in to his mother’s arms.
• He glossed over the details.
• They drove around the park.
• He stood by the lamp post.

With Adverbial Clauses:

The adverbial clauses introduce the element of time to the sentence with a subject and a verb.

• He runs when it’s sunny.
• She reads wherever she goes.
• They play after school.
• The dog barks when it’s dark.
• When the sun sets, the sky turns shades of pink and orange.
• She smiled warmly whenever she saw her grandmother.
• After finishing his homework, he went outside to play with his friends.
• Because it was raining heavily, they decided to stay indoors and watch movies.
• While waiting for the bus, he read a book to pass the time.
• If you study hard, you will succeed in your exams.

With Prepositional Clauses

While the preposition describes the position of something, brings in further details as in the examples below.

• She dances as if no one is watching.
• He sings as though he’s on stage.
• They eat as soon as they wake up.
• The cat sleeps wherever it finds warmth.
• The cat slept on the windowsill while the rain poured outside.
• She found her keys under the couch after searching for hours.
• We decided to go for a walk along the river to enjoy the sunset.
• He hid the treasure beneath the old oak tree before marking the spot.
• They met at the café where they used to study together.
• The children played in the park until it started to get dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion on Simple English Sentences

You would have noticed that no matter how complicated the drill-down on these easy English sentences from a Dictionary or grammarian’s viewpoint, they are all very simple English sentences!

You would have noticed that while they can be very short, they could have clauses that make a pretty long sentence. If you would next like to learn how to build on the skill to create proper simple English sentences and start building compound and complex sentences in English, do check out the post by clicking on the link.

Feel free to gain more practice with the exercises on making simple sentences by clicking the link. Happy English learning! Or, try some of these other lessons that suit your interests:

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