Channel Button

There are 9 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #2 by Helium's members.

Arts & Humanities   >

English Language

Get a Widget for this title

The shortest complete sentence in the English language

This was an interesting read. So many writers are in agreement that "Go! is the shortest sentence. One went so far as to broach another possibility and came pretty close to my own ideology with "Me?" as a response to a question, such as "Are you aware that you have been selected to represent the best of the best?" Her response, as her choice for the shortest sentence was, "Me?"


Actually, I would agree with her in essence but not in form. She would be correct in her response if her answer implied ME as the object of the search for the best; however, my response would have been "I?" That would imply the rest of the understood verb to be "was selected." Hence, the truncated form of the sentence with the understood verb is "I?" for "I was selected?"
If that doesn't persuade you, try this. The answer to a question can be answered in a single letter that answers the question. Example, if the question were: "Which letter indicating five choices, A, B, C, D, or E, represents the choice that contains the most correct response? Select the letter of your choice and indicate your choice by stating the letter of your choice." Do you see where i am going with this?
The answer could be any one of the letters as a response. So, "A." could indeed be a very short sentence implying the understood verb and likewise understood predicate nominative ". . . is the correct answer." The short form is "A."

If that example is not convincing, try this: What is the only vowel to have the need for two marks to make it complete in script? Just answer with the letter that fits the requirement. Answer: "i." [the letter and a separate dot over it]
This fits all the requirements of a sentence. It has a subject (i) and it has an understood verb (is). If your argument is that only subjects can be understood, then I question your philosophy or reasoning. After all, English is a living language and it does allow for change.

Let's take this one step further. As a teacher, I have had the pleasure and displeasure in grading composition. Very often I would compose a sentence that asks succinctly, "What in the world does THIS have to do with the topic?" or I can stae that a point was made exactly with no more and no less than what should have been included. I put these sentences into very abbreviated form. The former is "?" and the latter was expressed as "!" Could these be accepted as sentences? In my world, yes. In your world, well, that is up to you, isn't it?

Learn more about this author, Larry Lynn.
Contact this writer Click here to send this author comments or questions.


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

The shortest complete sentence in the English language

  • by Bill Avent

    Jesus Wept

    When Australia was celebrating the bi-centenary of Captain Cook's arrival in what is now Sydney's Botany Bay, where

    read more

  • 2 of 9

    by Larry Lynn

    This was an interesting read. So many writers are in agreement that "Go! is the shortest sentence. One went so far as to

    read more

  • 3 of 9

    by Megan Ashley

    The shortest complete sentence in the English history, is of course "I am."

    "Who is going to put that box up there?" "I am."

    read more

  • 4 of 9

    by Not Writing

    If we assume - and we probably should - that "complete sentence" means a complete statement or question which can be coherently

    read more

  • 5 of 9

    by Dwayne Gobin

    The first thing that came to mind when I started on this article, is a biblical scripture and the sentence included only

    read more

View All Articles on:
The shortest complete sentence in the English language

Add your voice

Know something about The shortest complete sentence in the English language?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Do the French have better language skills than other countries?

Click for your side.

104405

Featured Partner

Universal Giving

Universal Giving is a social entrepreneurship nonprofit whose vision is to create a world where giving and volunteeri...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA