A sentence expresses a thing (the noun, or subject) performing an action (the verb, or predicate). It should be composed of at least one independent clause.
Types of sentences include simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, interrogative sentences, declarative sentences, and imperative sentences, and there are cases in which incomplete sentences (also known as fragments) are acceptable.
Here are some general things to remember about sentences:
1. Strong sentences have strong finishes: One way to weaken a sentence is to end it with a flat phrase like in many cases or in all likelihood—for example:
The prices are only going to go up, in all likelihood.
A stronger revision of this sentence would be,
In all likelihood, the prices are only going to go up.
Another way to weaken a sentence is to end it with a perfunctory attribution. The sentence can be strengthened by moving the attribution to the beginning:
California farmers intend to plant 100,000 acres of Upland cotton this year, up 41% from the acreage seeded in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. [The Business Journal]
One possible revision:
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, California farmers intend to plant 100,000 acres of Upland cotton this year, up 41% from the acreage seeded in 2009.
This sentence makes both mistakes:
Taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area qualify for the May 11 deadlines in many cases, the IRS said. [Boston Globe]
2. Sentence length and readability: For maximum readability, sentences should average between 20 and 25 words in length. Much more important, however, is to vary sentence length. Mix longer sentences with shorter sentences, and vary the sentences’ structures. Compare these two versions of the same paragraph:
It’s tough for me to judge the efficacy of this ad since I’ve never fed, much less owned, a cat. The spot seems thoughtfully crafted, though, and the animation looks sharp. It certainly manages to stand out from other pet-food ads on TV. Were I a hep, bohemian cat peering at this ad from atop my owner’s entertainment console, I imagine I’d be curious to taste the grub those kooky hippies at Friskies are cooking up. [Slate]
It’s tough for me to judge this ad’s efficacy. I have never fed or owned a cat. The spot seems thoughtfully crafted, though. The animation looks sharp. It manages to stand out from other pet-food ads on TV. I imagine I’d be curious if I were a hep bohemian cat. I’d want to taste the grub those kooky hippies at Friskies are cooking up.
The difference may be subtle, but it’s part of what separates good writers from merely functional ones.
