English

Practical English Grammar


what good writers do


Good writers utilize effective sentence starters to interest their readers. You can do the same.
By using different starters, you use variety, a trait of strong writing.
Here are seven ways to start your sentences.

1 Gerund or gerund phrase

Learning was crucial for the new student. (gerund)
Finishing his art project on time brought Andy great relief.
(gerund phrase)

2 Participle or participial phrase

Smiling, Mom welcomed her guests into our house. (participle)
Jumping from the side of the pool, the young boy was enjoying himself.
(participial phrase)

3 Infinitive or infinitive phrase

To laugh is good for your health. (infinitive)
To win the trophy was the boater’s goal. (infinitive phrase)

4 Prepositional phrase

In the evening, Shirley and her friends play bridge. (prepositional phrase)
After an hour the cat felt better. (prepositional phrase)
5 Adverb

Slowly, the children exited the school bus. (adverb)
Intelligently, these scientists debated the heated topic. (adverb)

6 Adverb clause

Because the weather will be good for surfing, we plan on hitting the beach
tomorrow. (adverb clause)
Although the doctor will not be in this evening, her assistant can see you.
(adverb clause)

7 Adjective

Awed, the circus attendees watched the trapeze artist in action. (adjective)
Bright and curious, the scholarship students performed their experiments.
(two adjectives)

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Notes


Practical English Grammar - Notes
1. Italics Hyphens and Brackets
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2. compound subjects part two
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3. Quotation Marks Part Three
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4. Sound a like words Part Four
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5. the noun
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6. Confusing usage words part six
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7. Regular Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs
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8. complete and simple subjects
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9. the indirect object
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10. Second Capitalization List
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11. the object of the preposition
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12. the adverb
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13. irregular verbs part two
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14. Confusing usage words part three
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15. agreement involving prepositional phrases
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16. More Apostrophe Situations
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17. the adjective phrase
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18. The possessive case
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19. Using Capital Letters
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20. the noun clause
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21. Confusing usage words part two
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22. Irregular Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs
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23. personal pronouns
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24. The Semicolon
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25. Quotation Marks Part Two
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26. regular verb tenses
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27. the infinitive and infinitive phrase
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28. the adjective clause
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29. Quotation Marks Part One
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30. the prepositional phrase
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31. Confusing usage words part four
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32. Confusing usage words part five
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33. Sound alike words part one
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34. Sound a like words Part Two
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35. Commas Part Four
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36. types of sentences by purpose
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37. the interjection
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38. introducing phrases
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39. the adjective
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40. the noun adjective pronoun question
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41. introducing clauses
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42. Confusing usage words part one
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43. Confusing usage words part three
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44. Confusing usage words part seven
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45. Confusing usage words part eight
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46. Commas Part Two
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47. The Apostrophe
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48. The Colon
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49. First Capitalization List
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50. The verb be
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