monosentence

A monosentence is a sentence that consists of a single independent clause, i.e., a single clause that can stand on its own. In standard grammar it overlaps with the concept of a simple sentence, but the term is used in linguistic and literary discussions to emphasize the single-clause, often succinct character of the utterance. The prefix "mono-" signals "one," and the term is formed from English roots.

In practice, a monosentence can be declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamative. It may contain a subject and predicate and can include modifiers or a compound predicate, but it does not contain more than one independent clause. For example: "The rain began at dusk." (declarative); "Run!" (imperative); "Where did he go?" (interrogative); "What a mistake!" (exclamative).

Usage: Monosentences are common in prose to convey brisk pace, clarity, or emphasis, and they appear in dialogue, headings, abstracts, or poetic lines. They are also used in rhetoric to create a stark, punchy effect. In contrast, compound or complex sentences weave multiple clauses within a single sentence.

Etymology and status: The term is not universally standard; many grammars simply call such sentences simple sentences or independent clauses. As a label in literary analysis, monosentence is mainly a stylistic descriptor rather than a distinct grammatical category. See also simple sentence, independent clause.