The Basics of Solid Sentence Construction

Sentence Surgery

There are no surefire formulas for writing sentences that express your ideas clearly, concisely, and logically. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there are a handful are principles That said, there are certain guidelines that,

1. Keep the subject and verb in hugging distance
Why it matters: The subject and verb are the two core elements of a complete thought. So it stands to reason the sooner in the sentence that readers are introduced to this tandem, the easier it will be for them to grasp the thought you’re trying to get across.

Instead of: Your presentation this morning, even though it ran long and didn’t cover all the major points, went well. (The subject “presentation” and its verb “went” are separated by Dependent Clause.)
This:presentation this morning went well, even though it ran long and didn’t cover all the major points

2. Let verbs do the heavy lifting
The rationale:Sentences will usually flow more easily and deliver content more precisely when the main verb in the sentence is an action verb, as opposed a linking verb.

Instead of: It was (linking verb) my assumption that there was (linking verb) an agreement made between the that there would be (linking verb)a resumption of our negotiations this week.
This:I assumed (action verb) that we had agreed (action verb)last week to resume (action verb) our negotiations as soon as possible.

3. Pay attention to sentence length
Strictly speaking, there is no limit to the number of words that you can stuff into a sentence. That number of can range from as few as one or two to as many 3,387—the number of words you can find in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses The most widely recommended view on sentence length is somewhere between 20 to 30 words. Keep in mind, though, more important than the number of words of your sentences but the number of ideas you’re getting across.

4. Position modifiers as closely as possible to the words they modify.
Avoid the temptation to write with a capital “W”. The one complaint you will never hear from busy business people is that the document was “too easy” to read. So don’t fall victim to the myth that if you make your sentences too short or too simple, you won’t appear to be intelligent. Readers are business documents are seeking information as opposed to the stylistic flourishes you use,
4. Pay attention to sentence-sentence connections.
A sentence that reads clearly and smoothly on its own won’t necessarily connect to the idea in expressed in the previous sentence. Insert in each new. sentence

4. Position modifiers as closely as possible to the words they modify.

We will be issuing a report tomorrow morning that addresses many of the concerns
The report will include

* Try to get your sentence subject close to the start of the sentence
* Make sure the main verbs of the sentence are clear
* Chunk down if your sentence is becoming too long or complicated
* Limit the number of linking words (and, but, moreover) that you use in one sentence
* Try using some signpost words at the start of sentences
* Don’t be afraid of the short sentence. It can work wonders!