Mastering Sentence Structure for Engaging Writing

19 October 2024 / Team Fun English Course

Sentence structure helps create a writing more varied and engaging. Here is the secret to applying it.

No one can deny how important sentence structure is in writing, but many people still don’t use it properly.

Why does some writing feel clear and easy to read, while others feel confusing? It all comes down to how the words are arranged. 

When we learn how to arrange words properly, we can communicate our thoughts more clearly.

This article will help you turn your ideas into well-organized sentences so your readers can understand easily.

What is Sentence Structure?

structure sentence is like a lego

Sentence structure is the way in which words, phrases, and clauses are organized to convey a particular meaning.

Imagine it like a LEGO castle, and the words are its bricks. If we place them correctly, then a strong and sturdy caste will stand. People will be able to see your castle of thoughts clearly.

However, if your word arrangement is messy, others may get confused about your meaning.

How can you understand this phrase, “I eats nobody sees”.

Even if you can understand that, it still sounds wrong. That’s why making a proper sentence structure is a must.

Types of Sentence

types of sentence structure

Before discussing structure, you must understand that not all sentences are the same. One needs to have complete elements like Subject, Verb, and Object, while the other only needs a verb alone.

So, the most important thing for a sentence is not to have all elements but a clear meaning.

“Papa (S) eats (Verb)” is fine, but 

Papa (S) eats (Verb) a banana (Object)” is better. 

On the other hand, “Because (Conjunction) papa (S) eats (Verb) banana (Object)” is wrong because it can be confusing. 

To make it correct, there should be another clause like “Because papa eats a banana, he never gets a stomachache.”

However, you can still give a complete meaning with only a word.

Example: “Stop! (V)”

It is clear. The speaker wants you to stop everything you do. However, it would be better if there is another complementary clause like “Stop (Verb) doing that (Object)!”.

But how do we know that it is clear enough? To determine that, you need to know about four types of sentences:

1. Declarative Sentences

It is a statement sentence. This sentence uses a simple structure, like (S + Verb + Object/Complements), and ends with a period.

Example: “The sky (S) is (Verb) blue (C).”

2. Interrogative Sentences

It means to examine or ask a question. It typically starts with a question word (who, what, where, why, how) or an auxiliary verb (is, are, do, can), followed by the subject and verb, and ends with a question mark.

Example: “Where (Q) does (Aux V) this squirrel (S) come from (V)?”

3. Imperative Sentence

It is a sentence that expresses a direct command, request, invitation, warning, or instruction. It often starts with a verb. The subject (you) is implied but not stated and ends with a period or exclamation mark.

Example: “Shut up (V)!”

4. Exclamatory Sentence

It is a sentence that expresses a strong emotion. It can start with question words, but has a statement structure, and ends with an exclamation mark to show emotion.

Example: “What (Q) a wild beast (S)!”

Types of Sentence Structures

types of sentence structures

After learning to deliver your idea into a sentence, it’s time to stack one another and make a more captivating narrative.

To do that, we need to comprehend four types of sentence structures.

1. Simple Sentence

A simple sentence is a sentence that only has a straightforward idea.

Example: “The birds (S) fly (V).”

2. Compound Sentence

It is a sentence with two or more ideas, but they are equally important.

Example: “Birds (S1) fly (V1), and (Conj) water (S2) flows (V2).”

3. Complex Sentence

It is a sentence that has two or more ideas with subordinating relations.

Example: “Although (Conj) the birds (S1) fly (V1), water (S2) flows (V2).”

4. Compound-complex Sentence

It is a sentence combining all types – at least three clauses—two independent clauses and one dependent clauses—which equates to three sets of subjects and verbs.

Example: “Although (Conj) the birds (S1) fly (V1), water (S2) flows (V2), and wind (S3) blows (V3).”

Each adds different layers of meaning, encouraging you to create more varied and appealing writing. 

In conclusion, mastering sentence structures is essential for improving writing skills. It allows you to create clearer and more engaging communication.

If you want to improve your English skills, join the English for Professionals program in Fun English Course today! 

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