What is the main characteristic of a simple sentence?

A simple sentence is defined by its ability to convey a complete thought while containing a subject and a verb. This foundational structure is what distinguishes simple sentences from more complex sentence forms. By having only one independent clause, it stands alone as a complete statement without the need for additional clauses.

The presence of just one subject and one predicate allows the sentence to be straightforward and clear. This simplicity is beneficial for basic communication, enabling ideas to be expressed clearly without the potential confusion that can come with multiple clauses or subordinate elements. Understanding this characteristic is essential for constructing effective sentences in writing and for recognizing sentence variety in literature and everyday communication.