1 of 9

Write now Article Tools

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

"Who is going to put that box up there?" "I am." We use it everyday and think nothing of it. Now if someone were to just simply say "I am", we'd all look at them like someone just knocked a camel of an iceburg. What are they? We dont know. 'I am' is only a full complete thought, not really a sentence unless used in first person view. I could look at you and say "I am" if you just asked me something, but to just simply state 'I am' would just be like talking to yourself with a confused audience thinking you have stage fright.

It is stated somewhere in the Bible. I know this because I am Christian, born in raised in a Baptist church. However, do to my lack of self ambition and constant ADD, I couldn't for the life of me tell you where this short two-part sentence is located.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega." God said this to let people know that he was the beginning and the end; The first and last of our lives and everything around us. The questions people asked him were nonsense, and so he said upon the people "I am what I am."

The sentence was shortened to "I am" because it's pretty self-explainatory and used in more than one context.

In 1930 a man by the name of Guy W. Ballard was hiking in California and met Ascended Master Saint Germain on the side of Mount Shasta. In 1934 he published two books that recorded his remarkable experiences that he encountered while on that hike. These two books, 'Unveiled Mysteries' and 'The Magic Presence' have never been out of print, and are to help people stand against the disobedience of mankind. These two remarkable stories led to the organization 'I AM', which is a free, non-political and spiritual foundation to help people with committing their lives to God.

Now, the complete opposite, which would be the longest sentence in English, is also only three characters long. This would be "I do". Funny how the same amout of characters in a simply put way can be so opposite.

Also refferring to the bible, the only reason to get a divorce is adultry. Sometimes, as I've witnessed first and second hand, that could only take two weeks, but at the same time it could take years and years. Sometimes people are amazing and never commit adultry. But one simple sentence, 'I do', can last the rest of your life.

So back to the main topic here, 'I am' is the shortest sentence ever, which is simply put and over with in ten seconds, yet has remained in our language for centuries.

Learn more about this author, Megan Ashley.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

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