Simple Sentences

The following sentence [blank] a simple sentence. Government by the people is the foundation of democracy.

is (the verb is, is the predicate and foundation of democracy is the subject; Government by the people is the adjective phrase).

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. You and I will go.

simple sentence; subject (you and I) predicate (will go)

Important note

A group of words with a subject and a predicate is not necessarily a complete sentence. If the group of words begins with a subordinating conjunction and is not attached to an independent clause, it is not a sentence but a fragment. An unattached phrase, a group of words lacking a subject, or a group of words lacking a predicate is also considered a fragment.

What is a simple sentence

A simple sentence has at least one subject and one predicate. Although it expresses only one thought, a simple sentence may have a compound subject, a compound predicate, or both. Although a simple sentence has only one clause, it may contain any number of phrases. Examples: He ate the broken cookie. Mary is my sister. The dress is blue. Each of these sentences expresses only one thought, with one subject and one predicate.

As long as a sentence expresses only one thought, it is simple, no matter how long it gets. But be careful—just some slight changes can create a sentence with two (or more) thoughts, and these are no longer simple sentences.

Examples: My sister is finishing high school and she is selecting a college. I will take a nap now and I will do my homework later. The woman is pacing back and forth because she is nervous about the arrival of the next train.

A simple sentence may have a compound subject or predicate, or both.

Examples: The girls and their fathers are fishing today. Either Joe or his brother will win that game. The barn, the fences, and the garage were slightly damaged. My sister is finishing high school and selecting a college. I will take a nap now and do my homework later. My dog and cat are friends and often play together. Each of these sentences still expresses only one thought.

Finally, a simple sentence may contain a number of phrases.

Examples: The woman pacing back and forth is nervous about the arrival of the next train (a participial phrase and two prepositional phrases). Wearing blue jeans is usually not considered appropriate for formal occasions (a gerund phrase and a prepositional phrase).

Fragments examples

Fragment: When I went upstairs. Although I went upstairs can function as a complete sentence, the word when functions as a marker word showing it is dependent. This fragment acts as a modifier (adverb) but does not modify anything. Sentence: When I went upstairs, I found my scarf. Now the phrase modifies the complete sentence I found my scarf. Sentence: Go! Although this is only one word, it functions as a complete sentence. It is a command, and has an implied subject, you, and a main verb. Fragment: A movie with moving dialogue but no plot. This example lacks a main verb. Sentence: A movie with moving dialogue but no plot, the new film was touching but not entertaining. Now the fragment acts as an appositive in the complete sentence.

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. Stop!

Simple sentence; Although this is only one word, it functions as a complete sentence. It is a command, and has an implied subject, you, and a main verb.

What is a predicate?

The predicate tells what the subject is or does.

subordinating conjunction

a conjunction that introduces a clause of lower rank than the main clause

coordinating conjunction

a conjunction that joins words or groups of words of equal rank

Subordinating conjunction examples

after, since, before, while, because, although, so that, if, when, whenever, as, even though, until, unless, as if etcetera

FANBOYS

for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. Whether he came up from dark, fog-filled forest.

fragment; there is a subject [he] and predicate [came]; but it begins with a subordinating conjunction and thus needs to be connected to a independent clause.

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. A snowflake, delicate as lace.

fragment; there is no main verb and thus this is a fragment

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. On his way to Jerusalem.

fragment; this is a dependent clause because there is not a main verb.

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. My brother's keeper.

fragment; this lacks a main verb.

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. The reindeer, chafing impatiently and nibbling at the grass.

fragment; this lacks a main verb.

The following sentence [blank] a simple sentence. My friends and I found the clue and located the prize.

is (expresses one thought; contains compound predicate and subject; it is a simple sentence.)

The following sentence [blank] a simple sentence. May I leave or do you still need my help?

is not; it is not a simple sentence because it is a compound sentence.

The following sentence [blank] a simple sentence. The top of that building is not visible today due to fog.

is; (in the sentence is not is the predicate; the top of that building is the subject; and since there are no subordinating conjunctions; it is not a fragment.)

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. Last week she was still in school.

simple sentence; subject (she) predicate (was -[to be verb])

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. The use of camouflage has become almost a science in modern warfare.

simple sentence; subject (the use of camouflage) predicate (has become)

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. The train was traveling fast.

simple sentence; subject (train) predicate (was traveling)

Identify whether the following example is a simple sentence or a fragment. The young man spoke softly.

simple sentence; there is a subject [young man] and a predicate [spoke].