Simple Sentences
A sentence may consist of just one main clause. A one-clause sentence is called a simple sentence and is very common in academic writing. It has a single subject and only one verb:
- The scientists are working.
The addition of an object, adjectives, prepositional phases, adverbs or does not make it a complex sentence. Take this example of a simple sentence:
- Leading scientists from the Particle Physics Research Group at the Univerisity of Bristol are currently working on upgrades to the Large Hadron Collider.
The different parts of a simple sentence can be categorised into the following:
Subject + Verb + Object + Complement
| S + V | The economy has been improving. |
| S + V + O | Smith and Khajawa (2003) offer an alternative approach. |
| S + V + C | Structure and agency are interdependent |
| S + V + O + C | Bourdieu criticised Coleman's definition of social capital as overly simplistic. |
Test Yourself
Identify the different parts of the sentence highlighted in bold.
Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways.
Subject
Verb
Object
Complement
Vasco da Gama discovered a sea trade route between Portugal and Asia.
Subject
Verb
Object
Complement