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Thread: I am.

  1. #1
    Anonymous Guest

    Default I am.

    Rumor has it that "I am." is the shortest sentence in the English language. Is it a true sentence?

  2. #2
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    It's possible, but would require some more context as the obvious question would be 'What are you?' The shortest sentence in English would consist of a single imperative. 'Go!' would probably be the shortest as I cannot think of a single letter imperative, but the imperative does not require a subject as it is understodd.

  3. #3
    Lib
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    Default Re: I am.

    What about imperatives? I say 'sit!' to my dog (and occasionally my husband) That's only one word, and says everything.

  4. #4
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default

    'Go!' is two letters, so I win. )))

  5. #5
    John D Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by tdol
    'Go!' is two letters, so I win. )))
    Hi,

    If I did something and someone asked, "Who did this?"
    If I answered, "I."
    Would that be the world's shortest possible sentence and make me the winner?

    Hope so!!!


    Have fun.
    John D.

  6. #6
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: I am.

    Technically not, because it is an ellipsis for I + verb, whereas an imperative requires no more context. 'I' would be a sentence fragnment or minor sentence. )

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