The Shortest Sentence In the World

What is the shortest sentence in the English language?

Jelly donuts (ice cream is better)

The typical answer to this is “I am,” but some argue that it’s not a complete sentence. However, if someone asked a man named Rupert if he was Rupert, he could reply, “I am” and it would make a complete sentence in my book.

But that’s not the whole answer. There is an even shorter sentence using an imperative with an implied subject (how’s that for an English terminology-filled sentence?) With “Go,” the “you” is implied. For example, if your wife wanted you to go with her to pick up some donuts and you were busy, she might say, “I really want to get some donuts, I’m starving!” and you might reply, “Go!” The implication being you never wanted to get donuts in the first place because you like ice cream more anyway and if you’re busy you’re probably doing something worthwhile and important and can’t be disturbed for such trivial matters as acquiring sweet pastries with holes in them, no matter how much of a waste of time your wife says your pursuits are. In short, “Go” is the shortest sentence in the English language that also has the longest implied meaning. Do you want to get get some ice cream? Go!

Ava pointed out in the comments that No is another viable alternative.

Posted in Brain Teasers

 

76 Comments on "The Shortest Sentence In the World"


TheBlondeWarrior says
April 14, 2020 @ 04:30

Yes, “Go,” Is the verb, but the subject, “You,” is implied, and therefore, doesn’t need to be present in the sentence.


beaner says
May 13, 2020 @ 00:23

you is the implied subject of “Go.” there is no subject in the phrase “No.” as “No” is not a verb, it is simply a response that can be used regularly to answer a question, or as an adverb or adjective ( or a subject as i am currently using it in this sentence ).


Dr. Ferg says
May 17, 2020 @ 15:47

“I am” because a true sentence requires both a SUBJECT and a VERB, otherwise it is a FRAGMENT. “I” is the world’s shortest fragment sentence.


Chima says
August 13, 2020 @ 07:50

Well, so what is the conclusion.

I think ‘Go’ is the shortest sentence.

A sentence must have ‘ a verb’ and the verb should be finite.
A sentence must have a ‘subject’
‘Go’ is an imperative sentence with an implied subject ‘You’
‘No’ is not a sentence because it is not a verb.


Shah says
September 1, 2020 @ 14:04

This is


Nishaaj says
October 9, 2020 @ 15:45

“Yes” is a sentence.


Vander says
October 28, 2020 @ 12:36

go is the worlds shortest sentence


Chris Knight says
January 17, 2021 @ 05:27

The statement “I am.” can be contracted to “Am.”, since the “I” is understood, and no other noun or pronoun may be used instead. It could be confused with the Question “Am I?”, except for the lack of a question mark. A dialog may start as: ” You are not going?” “I am.” ” Your’e not!” ” “I am.” “Not!” “Am.”


Chris Knight says
January 17, 2021 @ 05:35

“I.” is even shorter. “Who is responsible?” “I.” ( “Me.” is ungrammatical here. – “Me did it.”)


Langston James says
March 16, 2021 @ 14:02

“go!”


XeroSinz says
May 15, 2021 @ 01:18

Run!


Sophia says
March 31, 2022 @ 17:26

Scientist believe the smallest sentence in the world is the simple letter I.


Carmen says
March 31, 2022 @ 17:27

The shortest sentence in the world is I am!


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