Write Better Sentences: 9 Tips That Pro-Writers Swear By

Write Better Sentences: 9 Tips That Pro-Writers Swear By

Table of contents

Why writing better sentences is important

Writing well is a challenge. Terrible sentences suffer from a lack of structure, clarity, and cohesion. On the other hand, some sentences suffer from too many words without substantial content. As a writer, you must ensure you’re clear on your message. The goal is to get your point across without rambling and losing the reader.

This is why the words you choose and how you structure them is important. Each sentence plays a specific role so if you learn how to string them together correctly, you can write better sentences. But that requires knowledge of grammar, sentence structure, and narrative-building.

What makes a sentence good?

A good sentence expresses a complete thought. Grammar rules say, “A good sentence contains a subject and a verb and forms an independent clause.” But there’s more to it.

"A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus:

  1. What am I trying to say?
  2. What words will express it?
  3. What image or idiom will make it clearer?
  4. Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?

And he will probably ask himself two more:

  1. Could I put it more shortly?
  2. Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?"

– Politics and the English Language (Essay), George Orwell

Fix errors that weaken your sentence structure and make your sentence sound better

1. Use of run-on sentences.

Example: "Yesterday was a great day my parents and I went out for dinner, ice cream."

Corrected sentence: "Yesterday was a great day! My parents and I went for dinner and ice cream."

2. Lack of subject-verb agreement.

Example: "The list of ideas were at the top of my head."

Corrected sentence: "The list of ideas was at the top of my head."

3. Use of unintentional sentence fragments.

Example: "She went to see the new museum. Even though she had a stomach ache."

Corrected sentence: "She went to see the new museum even though she had a stomach ache."

4. Use of overloaded sentences.

Example: "Writers need to invest time learning the basics of language structure and grammar in order to ensure that they can create pieces that communicate an idea effectively but also ensure that the reader is able to walk away with strong takeaways from said pieces without the need for further clarification."

Corrected sentence: "Writers need to invest time in learning the basics of language structure and grammar. It’ll help them create pieces that communicate ideas effectively and ensure that they’re also clear to their readers."

5. Use of faulty parallelisms.

Example: "Every day, I spend two hours exercising and to meditate to help me relax."

Corrected sentence: "Every day, I spend two hours exercising and meditating to help me relax."

The elements of a good sentence

According to Grammar rules, good sentences include these characteristics:

  1. They lead your narrative forward.
  2. They are clear and concise.

How to write better sentences

1. Use relevant examples.

Examples clarify your message for the reader.

2. Avoid modifiers.

Modifiers complicate your statements—avoid them to strengthen your message.

3. Avoid passive voice like the plague.

Active voice engages readers more directly.

4. Ensure it has a good flow.

A smooth flow helps readers follow along without difficulty.

5. Split long sentences.

Divide long sentences to improve clarity and readability.

Checklist to refine clarity

9 tips to continually improve your writing

1. Read as often as you can.

2. Write with your reader in mind.

3. Show, don't tell.

4. Practice thinking in threes.

5. Break your text down in bullets often.

6. Combine logic with emotion.

7. Track your verbs.

8. Work on your writing crutches.

9. Practice, practice, practice.

Writing good sentences is hard work

Great sentences make use of basic writing rules while incorporating creativity. To improve, focus on clarity, conciseness, and structured editing.