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1. Vary your sentences.

1. There are three types of sentences:

Note: In the command clause, the subject “you” is ommitted. This is typical when giving commands, because the implied subject of most commands is almost always “you”.

2. To expand a sentence, you can add a dependent or independent clause.

As these examples show, a dependent clause can’t exist without a main clause. An independent clause can. Dependent and independent clauses are the building blocks of complex sentences.

Varying the type and structure of your sentences can add personality to your writing.

2. Re-arrange your sentences.

1. Sentences can be written in the active voice (subject first) or the passive voice (subject last).

Pick the voice according to what words you want to end your sentence with (i.e. the words you want to emphasize).

2. If you want to push a subject phrase toward the end (to emphasize it), you can use an existential “there” sentence.

3. The words in the main clause of a sentence stand out. So your main clause should generally contain the most important noun and verb.

    “She entered the zoo”, noticing a lion.
    → When entering the zoo, “she noticed a lion”.
    “It was midnight”, so the wolves howled.
    → Because it was midnight, “the wolves howled”.

For more principled tips on how to re-arrange your sentences, you can check out the General Writing Guide. If you want to know about how to write verb phrases, noun phrases and modifiers, i.e. the actual grammar-related issues, keep reading here.

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