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 noun
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5. the adverb
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6. Using Capital Letters
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7. Sound a like words Part Four
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8. the preposition
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9. the indirect object
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10. the pronoun
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11. the infinitive and infinitive phrase
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12. introducing phrases
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13. The Apostrophe
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14. the verb
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15. Confusing usage words part six
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16. the adjective phrase
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17. the adjective clause
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18. complete and simple subjects
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19. Confusing usage words part three
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20. The Semicolon
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21. the object of the preposition
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22. the adverb phrase
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23. introducing clauses
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24. the noun clause
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25. The Colon
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26. the subordinating conjunction
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27. The possessive case
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28. the appositive
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29. the participle and participial phrase
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30. what good writers do
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31. the direct object
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32. the adjective
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33. Confusing usage words part two
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34. Commas Part Five
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35. Second Capitalization List
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36. The verb be
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37. the adverb clause
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38. types of sentences by purpose
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39. the interjection
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40. Regular Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs
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41. More Apostrophe Situations
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42. Transitive and intransitive verbs
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43. Sound a like words Part Two
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44. Periods Question Marks and Exclamation Marks
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45. Commas Part Three
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46. Commas Part Four
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47. Parentheses Ellipsis Marks and Dashes
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48. First Capitalization List
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49. indefinite pronouns
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50. regular verb tenses
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