What is a simple sentence?

• A simple sentence is built from the minimum of a subject and a main verb.
• It can be very short in length (but doesn't have to be): 'The angry dog barks.'
• It puts across one simple idea: 'Rebecca sang.'
• There can be more than one word with the verb: ‘It was raining’.

In each of the examples there is just one main verb and one idea. This is the simplest type of sentence and is usually very easy to understand.

Reasons to use a simple sentence

Creating tension

There are several reasons for using simple sentences. For example, a series of short simple sentences used together may be used to create tension, as in this extract:

'We rounded the corner. He was there. We stood in awe at the sight.'

Easy to understand

Short simple sentences are frequently used to offer facts, so that they are easily understood by a reader. For example:

'Paris is the capital city of France.'

Short, simple sentences can make their meaning clear, easily. For that reason, they are often used in texts that are aimed at younger readers as well as in children’s rhymes:

Emphasis

Short, simple sentences can also create emphasis. If a short, simple sentence follows a series of longer, compound or complex sentences, it will stand out and create emphasis, as in this example:

This extract finishes with a short, simple sentence to emphasise how pleased the writer is when he and his team find life-giving water.