Monosyllables Examples

Monosyllables are words that are made up of only one syllable. Here are a few examples of monosyllabic words.

Seth     pen     print     cat     tree     church

Writers sometimes use monosyllables heavily in a sentence or in lines of writing. The use of monosyllables creates a rhythmic effect, as stressed and unstressed words follow each other.

Examples of Sentences Containing Monosyllables

My dear, you are late to class.

Put your phones up, now.

Don't make me tell you twice.

Examples of Monosyllabic Writing:

From the book of Genesis in the Bible:
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good. Genesis 1:3-4

Shakespeare uses monosyllables in these excerpts from Hamlet to create a halting rhythm as Hamlet ponders death. The only words in these lines that are not monosyllabic are "question" and "perchance."

To be, or not to be, that is the question . . .

To die-to sleep, No more; and by a sleep to say we end . . .

To die, to sleep; To sleep, perchance to dream-ay, there's the rub: For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,

William Blake's poem "The Lamb" contains many examples of monosyllables that help to create the lilting rhythm of the poem. All of the monosyllabic words are in bold.

     Little Lamb who made thee
     Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
     Little Lamb who made thee
     Dost thou know who made thee

     Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
     Little Lamb I'll tell thee!
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child:
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by his name.
     Little Lamb God bless thee.
     Little Lamb God bless thee.