SENTENCE VARIETY
"Sentence variety? What's that?"
Sentence variety is the ability to write different types of sentences that start in many
different (a variety of) ways.
"Why is that important?”
It's important because it keeps your writing from sounding boring and repetitive. Need some
ideas for how to add variety to your sentences? Check out the list below. (Make sure you
notice sentences that start with phrases that should be followed by a comma!)
Sentence Variety Pattern
Example
Even though (intro phrase should be followed Even though the song had ended, she could
by a comma)
not get it out of her head.
A verb ending in –ing
Grading essays wore out my English teacher.
Two adjectives (words that describe a noun NOT words ending in -ly, which are usually
adVERBs) followed by a comma
Because (but be sure to give BOTH cause
followed by a comma, AND then effect so you
have a COMPLETE sentence.)
Alliteration (several words beginning with the
same consonant sound)
Two adverbs ending with -ly
Tired and sweat-soaked, she headed for the
shower after her run.
"To" + a verb
Onomatopoeia (sound word)
With a question word (how, why, did, could,
should, would, who, what, where, when)
Although (intro phrase should be followed by
a comma)
Because he studied, the test seemed easy.
(cause)
(effect)
Clean crew cuts are required of anyone
joining the military.
Quickly and quietly, the students entered the
room.
To go to speech class is a pleasure and a joy.
Ding, ding! My alarm clock was trying to
wake me from a good night's rest.
How is it possible that all of my tests are on
the exact same day?
Although he knew he might pay for it later,
he decided to sneak that second helping of
ice cream.
Sentence Variety Pattern
A prepositional phrase (in, on, beside, under,
above, between, next to) A short
prepositional phrase does not need to be
followed by a comma. A long phrase or a
series of phrase does.
An interjection (Hooray! Eeek! Yes, Awww,)
A weak interjection is followed by a comma,
but a strong interjection is followed by a
period.
An “if, then” sentence (make sure to include
the effect-cause). Needs a comma after the
“if” phrase.
A time phrase (on Monday, at 5:00 pm, in the
springtime) followed by a comma
A location (a place, city, state, surroundings)
While (intro phrase should be followed by a
comma)
Example
Next to the school stood a brand new
playground with the
most spectacular ten foot slide.
Wahoo! It is almost the weekend, my favorite
part of the week!
If you want to be the fastest athlete on the
track, then you need to spend hours
practicing your sprinting.
Early Saturday morning, when my mom
attempted to wake me up, I grumbled, pulled
the covers over my head, and fell back to
sleep!
In the remote rainforest, lush plants grow
abundantly due to
the incredible amounts of water they receive.
While Peter sat and played video games all
day, Jessica feverishly helped her mom
prepare the holiday feast!