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Aim to use a variety of sentence types in your writing. Too much of one thing can become boring.

Simple sentence

A simple sentence contains one clause or main idea. It includes a subject and a verb and sometimes an object as well.

For example:

I like books. (I = subject, like = verb, books = object)

My cat is wild. (My cat = subject, is = verb, wild = adjective)

James sings loudly. (James = subject, sings = verb, loudly = adverb)

Compound sentences

A compound sentence contains two main clauses joined by a connective that shows the relationship between the two pieces of information.

For example:

I like books and I read regularly.

James sings loudly so I turn my music up.

My cat is wild although she sometimes comes indoors.

Complex sentences

A complex sentence combines a main clause with a subordinate clause.

A subordinate clause adds extra information to a main clause. A subordinate clause needs a main clause to make sense.

For example:

When he’s in the car, James sings loudly.

My cat, which is five years old, is wild.

Fragments

Fragments are partial sentences, phrases or single words and can be used (sparingly!) to emphasise a point or add interest to your writing.

For example:

She would be sixteen on Friday. Sixteen. Already.

He was looking forward to the trip. China, at last.

Key points to remember

• Use transitional words and phrases to link your paragraphs.
• Vary the ways you open your sentences.
• Use a variety of sentence types.