Learn to Write Flashcards
6 Ways to Start a Sentence | Sentence Structure
1. THE SUBJECT (S + V)
- Person
- Place
- Thing
- Idea
2. WHERE OR WHEN
- Where: use words show where something is happening
Ex: On/Beside/By/Near the beach, there was a shipwreck
- When: use words show when something is happening
Ex: After/Before work, I go to the gym to workout
3. ASKING A QUESTION
- A question makes the reader think.
- Make sure you answer your question in the next sentence
Ex: - Which song do you like best? - I like the song Hotel California
4. -ING PHRASE
- Start a sentence with an action ending in -ING
Ex: - Sitting on the beach, I watched the sun set over the ocean.
- Running home quickly, she got soaked in the pouring rain
5. -ED PHRASE
- Start a sentence with an action ending in -ED
Ex: + Frightened by the loud fireworks, the dog hid under the table
+ Excited about her birthday, she woke up very early.
6. -LY
Ex: + Finally, the last way to start a sentence
+ Hungryly, the dog chewed the bone
Verbs ending in -ING that you can use to start sentences:
- Running: Running every morning helps me stay fit.
- Swimming: Swimming in the ocean is refreshing.
- Reading: Reading books broadens your perspective.
- Writing: Writing daily improves your communication skills.
- Dancing: Dancing is a great way to express yourself.
- Singing: Singing in the shower is a fun way to start the day.
- Cooking: Cooking at home is healthier than eating out.
- Playing: Playing video games can be relaxing.
- Traveling: Traveling exposes you to new cultures.
- Studying: Studying regularly helps you retain information.
- Working: Working from home has become more common.
- Exercising: Exercising boosts your energy levels.
- Painting: Painting allows you to express creativity.
- Listening: Listening to music can improve your mood.
- Driving: Driving long distances can be tiring.
- Gardening: Gardening is a peaceful hobby.
- Shopping: Shopping for groceries is a weekly chore.
- Teaching: Teaching requires patience and dedication.
- Learning: Learning a new language is challenging but rewarding.
- Watching: Watching movies is a popular way to relax.
These verbs can be used to create engaging and descriptive sentences.
Verbs ending in -ED that you can use to start sentences:
- Excited: Excited by the news, she called her friends immediately.
- Interested: Interested in the topic, he signed up for the workshop.
- Tired: Tired from the long journey, they decided to rest.
- Surprised: Surprised by the sudden noise, the cat jumped.
- Amazed: Amazed by the performance, the audience gave a standing ovation.
- Confused: Confused by the instructions, he asked for help.
- Frustrated: Frustrated with the delay, she left the meeting early.
- Determined: Determined to succeed, he worked late every night.
- Satisfied: Satisfied with the results, they celebrated their success.
- Shocked: Shocked by the announcement, everyone fell silent.
- Inspired: Inspired by her mentor, she pursued her dreams.
- Relieved: Relieved to hear the good news, they hugged each other.
- Embarrassed: Embarrassed by his mistake, he apologized immediately.
- Overwhelmed: Overwhelmed by the support, she thanked everyone.
- Delighted: Delighted with the gift, she couldn’t stop smiling.
- Disappointed: Disappointed by the outcome, he tried again.
- Concerned: Concerned about her health, he suggested seeing a doctor.
- Terrified: Terrified by the storm, the children hid under the bed.
- Encouraged: Encouraged by his progress, he continued to practice.
- Bored: Bored with the movie, they decided to leave early.
These verbs can help you create sentences that convey emotions and reactions effectively.
DeepSeek
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Start with Simple Sentences
- Use the basic structure: Subject + Verb + Object.
- Example:
- “I like apples.”
- “She reads books.”
- Benefit: Helps you focus on expressing ideas clearly and avoids grammar mistakes.
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Use Familiar Vocabulary
- Prioritize using words you already know well.
- Avoid complex words if you’re unsure how to use them.
- Example:
- Instead of: “I utilize my laptop for work.”
- Write: “I use my laptop for work.”
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Apply Common Sentence Structures
- Learn common sentence structures and apply them flexibly:
- Conditional sentences: “If I have time, I will call you.”
- Comparative sentences: “This book is more interesting than that one.”
- Cause-effect sentences: “Because it rained, we stayed at home.”
- Learn common sentence structures and apply them flexibly:
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Write Short and Clear Sentences
- Avoid writing overly long or complicated sentences. If a sentence is too long, break it into smaller ones.
- Example:
- Instead of: “I went to the store, and then I bought some milk, and after that I went home.”
- Write: “I went to the store. I bought some milk. Then, I went home.”
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Use Conjunctions to Connect Ideas
- Use conjunctions like and, but, or, so, because to connect simple sentences into compound or complex sentences.
- Example:
- “I wanted to go out, but it was raining.”
- “She studied hard, so she passed the exam.”
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Read a Lot and Imitate
- Read books, articles, and other English materials to learn natural writing styles.
- Imitate native writing by noting down good sentences and applying them in your own writing.
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Practice Writing Daily
- Write a diary, describe your daily activities, or write about topics you enjoy.
- Example:
- “Today, I went to the park. The weather was nice, and I saw many people playing sports.”
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Check and Correct Mistakes
- After writing, review your work to check for grammar, spelling, and expression errors.
- Use tools like Grammarly or ask someone to read and give feedback.
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Expand Sentences by Adding Details
- Add words or phrases to make sentences more descriptive:
- Simple sentence: “I have a dog.”
- Expanded sentence: “I have a small, cute dog named Max.”
- Add words or phrases to make sentences more descriptive:
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Learn from Mistakes
- When you make mistakes, take notes and learn how to correct them. This helps you improve faster.
Practice Example:
1. Simple sentence: “I like coffee.”
2. Add details: “I like hot coffee in the morning.”
3. Combine sentences: “I like hot coffee in the morning, but I prefer tea in the afternoon.”
In summary:
- Start with simple sentences and use familiar vocabulary.
- Apply common sentence structures and conjunctions to connect ideas.
- Read a lot, write a lot, and learn from your mistakes.
With persistence and regular practice, your writing skills will improve significantly! 😊