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. Quotation Marks Part Three
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3. compound subjects part two
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4. the adverb
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5. the adjective clause
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6. the indirect object
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7. Using Capital Letters
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8. the pronoun
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9. The Apostrophe
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10. the infinitive and infinitive phrase
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11. Sound a like words Part Four
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12. The possessive case
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13. the appositive
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14. the preposition
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15. the object of the preposition
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16. the adverb phrase
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17. the adjective
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18. The verb be
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19. what good writers do
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20. introducing phrases
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21. the correlative conjunction
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22. the noun clause
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23. The Semicolon
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24. the adjective phrase
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25. The Colon
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26. complete and simple subjects
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27. the subordinating conjunction
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28. the direct object
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29. Confusing usage words part six
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30. Confusing usage words part three
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31. the noun
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32. the verb
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33. The possessive case and pronouns
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34. complex sentences
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35. agreement involving prepositional phrases
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36. the adverb clause
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37. Confusing usage words part eight
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38. Transitive and intransitive verbs
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39. types of sentences by purpose
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40. complete and simple predicates
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41. types of nouns
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42. Confusing usage words part three
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43. Sound a like words Part Three
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44. Commas Part One
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45. Quotation Marks Part Two
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46. First Capitalization List
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47. agreement between indefinite pronouns and their antecedents
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48. indefinite pronouns
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49. The nominative case
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50. irregular verbs part two
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