A Step-by-Step Guide To Writing Better Sentences In English

Writing precise sentences is among the most fundamental skills as you are learning English. Sentence structure matters because without honing this, you will miss out on something as a student, professional, or person striving for better skills.

This guide will break down a step-by-step guide on how to write better sentences. You’ll learn how to organize your thoughts, avoid frequent blunders, and make your writing more natural.

Why Good Sentences Matter in English Writing

Strong sentences are the linchpins of clear communication. The better structured and more precise your sentences are, the easier it is for the reader to understand your message. 

Good sentences:

• Improve readability
• Make communication more persuasive
• Reduce misunderstandings
• Helps you express complex ideas concisely

In fact, according to a study published by the Journal of Writing Research in 2019, reading comprehension significantly improves with clear sentence structure, especially for non-native speakers. This means if your sentences are better, then anyone reading them will better understand your ideas.

Now, it’s time to get into the step-by-step method of writing better sentences in English.

‍Step 1: Understand the Basic Sentence Structure

A sentence in English must contain at least a subject and a verb to be complete. Let’s look at some basic structures:

1. Simple Sentence
   
   • I study English.
   • (Subject + Verb + Object)
2. Compound Sentence (Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction)
   
   • I study English, and I practice speaking every day.
   • (Independent Clause + Conjunction + Independent Clause)
3. Complex Sentence (One independent clause + one dependent clause)
   
   • I study English because I want to improve my writing.
   • (Independent Clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause)
4. Compound-Complex Sentence (Two independent clauses + one dependent clause)
   
   • I study English, and I practice every day because I want to improve my skills.

By understanding these structures, you can begin to form grammatically correct sentences in English.

Step 2: Choose the Right Words

The words you choose determine the clarity and impact of your sentence. Here’s how to improve your word choices:

1. Use Strong Verbs

Instead of relying on weak verbs like get, make, do, try more specific verbs:

• Weak: She got a job.
• Strong: She secured a job.
• Weak: He made a decision.
• Strong: He decided.

2. Avoid Redundant Words

Unnecessary words can make sentences confusing. Compare these examples:

• Wordy: In order to improve your English skills, you need to practice regularly.
• Concise: To improve your English, practice regularly.

3. Use Active Voice

Active voice makes sentences clearer and more engaging.

• Passive: The book was read by the student.
• Active: The student read the book.

Step 3: Connect Ideas with Transitions

Transitions help link sentences smoothly. Here are common transition words:

• Adding information: Furthermore, additionally, moreover
• Contrasting ideas: However, on the other hand, although
• Showing cause and effect: Therefore, as a result, consequently
• Giving examples: For example, for instance, such as

Example of a Well-Connected Paragraph:

❌ I like learning English. It helps me communicate. Sometimes, it is difficult. I practice a lot.

✅ I like learning English because it helps me communicate. However, it is sometimes difficult, so I practice a lot.

Using transitions makes writing more natural and coherent.

Step 4: Make Sentences More Descriptive

Adding details makes your writing more interesting and informative. Here’s how:

1. Use Adjectives and Adverbs

• Basic: She has a car.
• Descriptive: She has a beautiful red car.
• Basic: He speaks.
• Descriptive: He speaks fluently and confidently.

2. Add Prepositional Phrases

• Basic: She studies English.
• Detailed: She studies English in the morning at the library.

By adding relevant details, your sentences become more engaging and informative.

Step 5: Avoid Common Grammar Mistakes

Even advanced learners make grammar mistakes (learn about the top 30 grammar mistakes English learner make). Here are some common ones and how to fix them:

1. Run-on Sentences

• ❌ I love English I practice every day.
• ✅ I love English, and I practice every day.

2. Sentence Fragments

• ❌ Because I was tired.
• ✅ I went to bed early because I was tired.

3. Subject-Verb Agreement

• ❌ She like reading.
• ✅ She likes reading.

By checking for these common errors, you can make your writing more polished.

Step 6: Read and Edit Your Sentences

Good writing is rewritten, not just written. Here’s how to improve your sentences:

1. Read Aloud

Reading aloud helps catch awkward phrasing.

2. Use Grammar Checkers

Tools like Grammarly or Heylama’s AI-powered language checker can spot errors.

3. Ask for Feedback

Native speakers or teachers can provide valuable suggestions.

Step 7: Practice Regularly

Improving your writing takes consistent practice. Here are some effective ways:

1. Keep a Daily Journal

Writing about your day in English helps reinforce sentence structure.

2. Rewrite Sentences

Take a simple sentence and rewrite it in different ways.

Example

• Simple: She is happy.
• Detailed: She feels incredibly happy after receiving great news.

3. Read More in English

Reading books, articles, and blogs like Heylama’s Blog can help you see how good sentences are structured.

‍

Start Writing Better Sentences Today

The skill of writing better sentences in English comes with practice. Doing so allows you to communicate more clearly and confidently, understand how to read sentence structure, choose precise words, add transitions, and avoid common mistakes.

Let’s make language learning easy! Visit HeyLama and start practicing today to master writing English.