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. Using Capital Letters
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5. the prepositional phrase
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6. what good writers do
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7. the indirect object
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8. Sound a like words Part Two
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9. the adjective clause
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10. The verb be
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11. The possessive case
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12. The Colon
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13. Quotation Marks Part Two
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14. the adverb
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15. complete and simple subjects
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16. Commas Part Three
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17. The Apostrophe
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18. the direct object
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19. Confusing usage words part three
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20. Periods Question Marks and Exclamation Marks
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21. complex sentences
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22. Confusing usage words part one
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23. the adverb clause
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24. Confusing usage words part two
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25. Confusing usage words part three
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26. Confusing usage words part four
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27. Transitive and intransitive verbs
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28. complete and simple predicates
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29. types of nouns
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30. sentences fragments and run on sentences
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31. the appositive
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32. Sound alike words part one
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33. subject complements predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives
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34. personal pronouns
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35. Sound a like words Part Four
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36. Commas Part Four
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37. The nominative case
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38. Confusing usage words part eight
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39. Confusing usage words part six
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40. Second Capitalization List
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41. irregular verbs part one
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42. First Capitalization List
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43. compound subjects part one
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44. the interjection
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45. the noun clause
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46. Confusing usage words part five
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47. Confusing usage words part seven
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48. indefinite pronouns
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49. pronouns and their antecedents
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50. the subordinating conjunction
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