A simple sentence is the most fundamental of the four main sentence types in English (simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex). While it has a basic structure, mastering simple sentences is essential for English beginners. Understanding how to build a simple sentence provides a solid foundation for progressing to more complex sentence types.
1. What Is a Simple Sentence in English?
A simple sentence is an independent clause that includes at least one subject and one verb. It expresses a complete idea and does not rely on any other clause. A simple sentence may also include additional elements like objects, time expressions, or location phrases.
Examples:
She paints (Cô ấy vẽ)
Jenny cooks (Jenny nấu ăn)
2. Common Structures of Simple Sentences
Simple sentences in English can take various forms depending on the number and function of the components.
Structure: Subject + Verb
This is the most basic structure, consisting only of a subject and a verb.
Example: My grandparents pray
Structure: Subject + Verb + Object
This structure includes an object that receives the action.
Example: My mom knits hats
Structure: Subject + Verb + Complement
Some verbs require a complement to complete the sentence’s meaning.
Example: Henry is a trainer
Structure: Subject + Verb + Adverbial
Adverbials describe how, when, where, or to what extent the action is done.
Example: She knits quickly
Structure: Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
This structure uses both an indirect object (who receives) and a direct object (what is given).
Example: I give my bestie a little biscuit
Structure: Subject + Verb + Object + Complement
The complement describes the object.
Example: I made my room cozy
Structure: Subject + Verb + Object + Adverbial + Complement
This full structure adds both adverbial and complement for extra context.
Example: She put the cake carefully in the refrigerator
3. Key Components of a Simple Sentence
Subject
The person or thing performing the action. It can be a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun.
Example: Reading books improves vocabulary
Verb
Describes the action or state of the subject. There are two types: transitive (needs an object) and intransitive (does not need an object).
Example: She meditates every morning
Object
Receives the action of the verb. There are two types:
Direct object: answers “what” or “whom” Example: She painted a beautiful landscape
Indirect object: answers “to whom” or “for whom” Example: My father gave me a new car
Complement
Provides additional information about the subject or object.
Complement for the object: Example: I made the kitchen tidy
Complement for the subject: Example: The cake tastes delicious
Adverbial
Describes time, place, manner, degree, or purpose of the action.
Time: I arrived at the exam room early
Place: They played badminton at the park
Degree: She almost finished the project
Purpose: He went to the library to study
4. Simple Sentence Exercise
Exercise: Rearrange the following words into correct sentences.
Helen/giving/some me cassettes/ Jack/is/ on his birthday
some new jeans/ recently/ bought/ I
doesn't/ this climate/me/suit
Diana/beautiful/ these days/ is becoming/ more and more
a bright yellow/ have painted/ they/ their front door
my purse/ under the bed/I/ found
sold/yesterday/ to our next door neighbor/ the old Renault/Dad
our friend/ some tulips/us/ by express mail/ sent
in town/Bob/crossing/saw/Mary/ the street
a bus/ took/ we/ to the airport
Answers:
Helen is giving Jack some cassettes on his birthday
I bought some new jeans recently
This climate does not suit me
Diana is becoming more and more beautiful these days
They have painted their front door a bright yellow
I found my purse under the bed
Dad sold the old Renault to our next door neighbor yesterday
Our friend sent us some tulips by express mail
Bob saw Mary crossing the street in town
We took a bus to the airport
Master Simple Sentence Structures for IELTS Success with IDP
By understanding what a simple sentence is and how to construct it, you will build a strong foundation for writing and speaking in English. Especially in the IELTS Academic or General test, using grammatically correct and clear sentences helps express your ideas more fluently. This is a key strategy to improve your Writing and Speaking scores.
To reinforce your grammar skills, regularly practice with IDP’s study materials. You can also refer to the IELTS band descriptors to set clear goals and develop an effective study plan.
Choose your ideal IELTS test date and register with IDP today to achieve your target band score!