Sometimes, brevity is key. Whether you're writing fiction, sending a text, or drafting a letter, there are a lot of ways to make a point in just a few words — or even one word.
Grammar purists might raise their hands and say, “You can’t have a sentence without a subject, object, and verb.” But the reality is, very few people write in perfect grammatical structure, much less speak in it. The rise of short-form media, dating all the way back to the telegram and Morse code, has propelled short-and-sweet communication to the forefront.
Here are some words that work perfectly fine on their own as a complete sentence — with a bit of conversational or situational context, of course.
"Yes" & Other Declaratives
A declarative sentence is simply a statement of fact. Pretty much any factual response to a question in the affirmative or negative — "yes," "no," "maybe," "sure," "OK" — works as a single-word sentence. Pre-framing is required, in the form of asking a question: “Who wants to come to the store?” “Me!” Similarly, a nominative sentence — in which someone else is the answer — functions as a complete response. “Joan” is a perfectly acceptable one-word sentence in the store example.
"Really" & Other Interrogatives or Questions
Seth Meyers' infamous SNL Weekend Update bit, “Really?” invokes this word — doubling as a question and response — on repeat. All of the five W’s (who/what/why/when/where) and many other basic questions function as single-word sentences. "Really?" "Yep."
"Run" & Other Imperatives, Commands, and Exclamations
Some verbs feel a bit awkward on their own. Asking someone to "run," "skip," or "write" as a single-word sentence feels a little commandeering … until an exclamation point is added. “Run!” and “Run” feel like two very different concepts, ditto “Go!” and “Go” or “Look!” and “Look.” They’re both correct, but somehow it’s less awkward when exclamation points are involved.
"This" & Other Locatives
"This" is an example of language evolution. Traditionally, "here," "there," "this," or "that" are used in conversation while making some sort of physical gesture, like pointing. However, “This,” with a period, has become common in web speak to signify wholehearted agreement or the desire to reiterate a point that’s already been made. If someone posts an empowering status update or comment for example, you might respond with a simple “This.” (Just don’t forget the period. It matters.)
"Right"/"Wrong"
“That is right,” is a pretty straightforward — and complete — sentence. But it can be made even more succinct by dropping the “that is.” “Right” and “Wrong” are still easily understood on their own.
Using one-word sentences is often an efficient way to make a point. A word of caution, however: Too many single-word sentences can give off the impression of disinterest, so use them sparingly.