Simple Sentences

1. F R E S H M A N S T U D E N T S
TheSimpleSentence
Composition I
Professor: Kailyn Calderon

2. Objective
To demonstrate understanding and basic
knowledge about the correct structure of a
simple sentence.

3. Beforewebegin,there
areafewtermsthat
needtobedefined

4. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
SUBJECT
CLAUSE
NOUN
VERB

5. A PERSON, PLACE, THING, OR
IDEA.
NOUN
Ex: dog, school, rubber ducky

6. AN ACTION OR STATE OF BEING.
VERB
Ex: jumped, felt, are, were

7. A NOUN OR SET OF WORDS
THAT ACTS OUT THE VERB
SUBJECT
Ex: The yellow puppy

8. A STRUCTURE THAT HAS A
SUBJECT AND A VERB
CLAUSE
Ex: The yellow puppy barked.

9. A STRUCTURE THAT HAS A
SUBJECT AND VERB. IT
EXPRESSES A COMPLETE IDEA
THAT CAN STAND ALONE.
INDEPENDENT
CLAUSE
Ex: The yellow puppy barked at
the black cat.

10. TheSimple
Sentence
DEFINITION
A simple sentence has only
one clause, which must be
an independent clause. The
word “simple” does not
necessarily mean “easy”;
simple sentences can also
contain phrases, so they are
often long and complicated.
However, they still have only
one subject and one finite
verb.

11. The diagram below illustrates the
basic elements of a simple sentence.

12. Examples
Some students like to study in
The green dish broke.
The llama spit.
the morning.

13. Sometimes,simple
sentenceshavecompound
structures.Therearefour
maintypesofcompound
structures

14. EXAMPLE
EXPLANATION
DEFINITION
Cassidy and Arturo like to study in the
morning
(“Cassidy” and “Arturo” are two separate
nouns. When they are connected together
using “and,” they create a compound subject.)
A subject that has two parts that are often
connected with a coordinating conjunction.
Compound
subject

15. EXAMPLE
EXPLANATION
DEFINITION
Alicia goes to the library and studies every
day.
(In this example, “goes” and “studies” are two
separate verbs that make a compound verb.
The coordinating conjunction, “and” connects
them.)
A verb that has two parts often connected with
a coordinating conjunction.
Compound
verb

16. EXAMPLE
EXPLANATION
DEFINITION
The green dish hit the ground.
(What did the dish hit? The ground. When
“ground” is added to the rest of the sentence,
it shows where the dish broke. The ground
receives the action.)
A noun that receives the action of the verb. To
find the direct object, you can usually ask
“who?” or “what?”
Compound
directobject:

17. EXAMPLE
EXPLANATION
DEFINITION
The llama spit at the man’s head.
(What did the dish hit? The ground. When
“ground” is added to the rest of the sentence,
it shows where the dish broke. The ground
receives the action.)
A phrase that begins with a preposition (see our
prepositional phrase handout for more
information).
Compound
prepositional
phrase

18. PRACTICE
CHECK WHETHER THE FOLLOWING ARE
COMPLETE SENTENCES.
1. The greatest danger that a species faces in a rapidly
coevolving ecosystem.
2. Diversity has become a strategic imperative for
corporations.
3. Her Maori name, Maata Mahupuku, inscribed on her
headstone.
4. As profits fell and the government reduced internal prices
to realign with export prices.
5. Taste, or personal food preference, is another strong
determinant of demand.
6. Implications for food and fibre marketing are many.

19. ANSWERS
1. incomplete
2. complete
3. incomplete
4. incomplete
5. complete
6.complete