Sentence variety

nullSentence VarietySentence VarietyExperienced writers have the ability to use a variety of sentences to express their thoughts. Less experienced writers may use a few basic structures over and over again. This can lead to monotonous writing style. To keep your reader’s interest and express the varied thoughts and relationships in your mind, use a variety of sentence forms.Achieving Sentence VarietyAchieving Sentence VarietyModifying phrases Joining sentences and doing away with unnecessary words Combining short sentences Participle phrases -ly openers to openers Modifying phrases Modifying phrases Introducing your sentences with a phrase; Placing a phrase within a sentence after the word it modifiesExamplesExamplesBehind the old refrigerator, I found my favorite hair pin I lost two months ago. I’m going to stay with my mother from today until the end of the month. Angered by his poor grades, Charles threw is English book out the window.Learning by doing:combine sentencesLearning by doing:combine sentences1.Helen pulled the lid of the manhole. She did it with all of her strength. Helen pulled the lid of the manhole with all her strength. 2. Willy raced into class. He got there just ahead of Professor Evens. Willy raced into class just ahead of Professor Evens.Learning by doing:combine sentencesLearning by doing:combine sentences3.Louis approached the dean’s office. She walked at a slow pace. Walking at a slow pace, Louis approached the dean’s office. 4.I could see the entire valley. I saw it from the top of Mt. Clement. From the top of Mt. Clement I could see the entire valley.Joining sentences togetherJoining sentences together1. Sheri is an interesting girl. She is a freshman in college. She is a practicing minister. Sheri is an interesting girl, a freshman in college and a practicing minister. 2. The dog ran all over the hills. He was delighted to be in the open. He is owned by Mr. Jacob. Delighted to be in the open, Mr. Jacob’s dog ran all over the hills.Joining sentences togetherJoining sentences togetherGreta is young. She is naïve. She is impressionable. She is quick to learn. Greta is young, naïve, impressionable and quick to learn. Kelly went swimming in the pond. Liza went with her. They did this despite the freezing water. They did it at midnight. It was pitch dark. Kelly and Liza went swimming in the pond despite the freezing water at pitch dark midnight.Combining short sentencesCombining short sentencesI enjoy Christmas very much. I like shopping. I like decorating the tree. I like giving presents. I enjoy eating on Christmas day. I enjoy eating turkey. I like a lot of dressing. I like pumpkin pie. I also like being with the family. I like seeing my grandmother. I like playing with my nieces.nullI enjoy Christmas very much. I like shopping, decorating the tree, and I also enjoy giving presents. On Christmas Day I love eating all the turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie. In addition, I look forward to being with the family, seeing my grandmother, and play with my nieces.nullI enjoy Christmas very much. First of all, I like shopping, decorating the tree, and giving presents. Besides, I enjoy eating Christmas food such as turkey, a lot of dressing, and pumpkin pie. In addition, I like being with my family, seeing my grandmother, and playing with my nieces. Basic techniques for combining short sentencesBasic techniques for combining short sentencesEliminate unnecessary words Group similar words or sets of words together Use words like and, so, for, etc Use commasMore PracticeMore PracticeJules is sweet. He is considerate. He is loving. Jules is sweet, considerate, and loving. Jack applied for a job. He went for an interview. He was hired. Jack applied for a job, went for an interview, and was hired.Using Participle PhrasesUsing Participle PhrasesExamples Jogging every day, I soon increased my energy level. Mary, amused by the joke, told it to a friend. My eyes opened wide, shocked by the red “F” on my paper.PracticePractice1.Ginger refused to get out of bed. She pulled the blue blanket over her head. Pulling the blanket over her head, Ginger refused to get out of bed. 2. The crowd of dancers moved as one. They swayed to the music. The crowd of dancers moved as one, swaying to the music.null3.The woman listened intently to the earnest young man. She caressed his hair softly. Listening intently to the earnest young man, the woman caressed his hair softly. Caressing his hair softly, the woman listened intently to the young man. 4. I tried to stifle my grin. I was amused but reluctant to show it. Being amused but reluctant to show it, I tried to stifle my grin. -ly openers-ly openersUsing –ly words to open a sentence. Examples: Gently, he mixed the chemicals together. Anxiously, the contestant looked at the game clock. Skillfully, the quraterback rifled a pass to his receiver. Practice: sentence combination (using –ly words) Practice: sentence combination (using –ly words) I reinforced all the coat buttons with a strong thread, I was patient. Patiently, I reinforced all the coat buttons with a strong thread. He finished answering the last question on the test. He was quick. Quickly, he finished answering the last question on the test. I tore the wrapping off the present. I was excited. Excitedly, I tore the wrapping off the present.to openersto openersExamples To succeed in that course, you must attend every class. To help me sleep better, I learned to quiet my mind through meditation.PracticePracticeYou should meet Al’s parents. This will help you to understand him better. To understand Al better, you should meet his parents. I left the house early. I had to get to the church on time. To get to the church on time, I left the house early.Revision: combine the sentencesRevision: combine the sentencesI managed to get enough toothpaste on my brush. I squeezed the tube as hard as I could.(-ing) Squeezing the tube as hard as I could, I managed to get enough toothpaste on my brush. Tom bought a green-striped suit. He was tired of his conservative wardrobe. (-ed) Tired of his conservative wardrobe, Tom bought a green-striped suit.