Question

If a sentence contains only one finite verb, it is called :
a)Complex sentence
b)Compound sentence
c)Simple sentence
d)Paragraph

Answer 1

Hint: To answer the question, one needs to have a crystal clear understanding of the various types of sentences in the English language. A sentence with only one finite verb is a simple sentence.

Complete step-by-step answer:
We first need to understand the meaning of each type of sentence. Option a, complex sentence, is a sentence containing a dependent clause or clauses. Ex. Although she was wealthy, she was still unhappy.

 Option b, compound sentence, is a sentence with two or more subjects or predicates. Ex. I really need to go to work, but I am too exhausted to drive.

 Option c, simple sentence is a sentence containing only one clause, with one subject and predicate. Ex. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Option d, paragraph is a collection of sentences. Now, clearly, if there is one finite verb in the sentence, there would also be a clause, meaning it cannot be a complex or a compound sentence, as we have seen in the above definitions, hence option a and b are incorrect.

Option d, paragraph is a collection of sentences and not just one sentence, hence it is an incorrect option. Hence, option c is the correct answer.

Note: To answer the given question, one must have an understanding of what verbs are, what clauses are, what predicates are, without this knowledge the question would be a challenge to crack and then, finally, one must understand the various types of sentences.