Vary sentence structure

Vary sentence structure

Sentence structure is very important to make a good impression when we write and to make interesting our written expressions. When we write we need to compose different kinds of sentences in order to make paragraphs lively. If we write too many short sentences or all the sentences begin with the same words, the writing becomes monotonous. A word can make a lotof difference in a sentence, and the order that you use to put the words, also. There are many ways to vary sentences that we can learn to become accomplished writers.

The first simple thing that we can do is mix sentences in a paragraph. Write short sentences mixed with long ones. This method adds variety to our writing. Also, don’t begin sentences always with the same words; we tendto abuse words such as “the”, “it”, “this” and “I”. Before proceeding with the sentence writing tips, it is very important to remember the kinds of sentences. Sentences can be simple, that is have a subject and a predicate; compound, when we use a semicolon, a conjunction or a transition to join to independent sentences, each with its subject and predicate; or complex, this is when we join twosentences where one of the statements is dependent of the other to make sense.

The most important things to remember are which words to use to accomplish the kind of sentence that we want to write. Conjunctions are words that join two sentences; transitions do the same job, as well. The conjunctions are: and, but, or, nor, yet, for, so. Transitions are another story; there are many wordsthat serve that purpose. The most used transitions are: accordingly, after all, afterward, also, although, and, but, consequently, despite, earlier, even though, for example, for instance, however, in conclusion, in contrast, in fact, in the meantime, in the same way, indeed, just as... so, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, not only... but also, now, on the contrary, on the other hand, on thewhole, otherwise, regardless, shortly, similarly, specifically, still, that is, then, therefore, though, thus, and yet. The words that are used to make the dependency connection between two sentences to make a complex sentence, as mentioned before are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, rather than, since, that, though, unless, until, when, where,whereas, wherever, whether, which, and while.

Apart from the above mentioned techniques, there also are other ways in which we can vary sentences. One of them is merging one sentence into the other using some select words. The most used words for that purpose are: which, who, whoever, whom, that, whose. Other technique is turning the sentence into a propositional phrase. This can beaccomplished beginning the sentences with words like about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, as, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, by, despite, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, near, next to, of, off, on, out, over, past, to, under, until, up, or with. This help to vary the sentence rhythm.

This seems as complicated work. That is not necessarily true.We need to practice our writing on a regular basis and use the recommended words to obtain the desired changes. With frequent exposure to the words we will become accustomed to use them and will eventually remember them without difficulty. Even if this seems like a lot of work, it is worth a try, we will become better writers with time. Learning to vary sentences can make a big differencebetween a regular writing and an outstanding one. All that is needed is compromise, patience and practice; eventually we will accomplish our goal.

Vary sentence structure Variar la estructura de la oración

Sentence structure is very important to make a good impression when we write and to make interesting our written expressions.  When we write we need to compose different kinds of...