Which sentence type contains only one independent clause and expresses a complete thought?

Which sentence type contains only one independent clause and expresses a complete thought?

• A. Compound sentence
• B. Complex sentence
• C. Simple sentence
• D. Fragment

Answer: (C)

A simple sentence is defined by containing exactly one independent clause that expresses a complete thought. An independent clause has both a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a sentence. For example, “The cat slept.” has one subject and one verb and conveys a complete idea on its own, so it fits as a simple sentence. That’s why this type is the best answer here: it contains only one independent clause and expresses a complete thought. A compound sentence would have two or more independent clauses joined together, a complex sentence would include at least one dependent clause that cannot stand alone, and a fragment would lack a complete thought or a necessary element to form a full sentence.

A simple sentence is defined by containing exactly one independent clause that expresses a complete thought. An independent clause has both a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a sentence.

For example, “The cat slept.” has one subject and one verb and conveys a complete idea on its own, so it fits as a simple sentence.

That’s why this type is the best answer here: it contains only one independent clause and expresses a complete thought. A compound sentence would have two or more independent clauses joined together, a complex sentence would include at least one dependent clause that cannot stand alone, and a fragment would lack a complete thought or a necessary element to form a full sentence.