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Academy11+

Free · Technique 9 of 10

Varying sentences: length and openers

How to mix short, long and medium sentences and start them in different ways (adverbs, -ing words, prepositions, conjunctions) to make writing flow.

Jump to the practice task All 10 techniques

Read a story where every sentence starts with "I" or "Then" and is the same length, and you'll find it soon sounds like a list: I went. Then I saw. Then I ran. Varying sentences gives writing rhythm, just like music needs a mix of long and short notes.

There are two easy ways to add variety: change the length of your sentences, and change the way they start.

Why it matters in the 11+

Sentence variety is something many writing markers explicitly look for, because it shows control of grammar and an awareness of the reader. It's also one of the easiest things to improve with a little practice.

Varied sentences also help other techniques work: a short sentence after long ones builds tension, and a fronted adverbial can shift the scene to a new time or place smoothly.

How to do it, step by step

  1. Check your openers

    Underline the first word of each sentence in a paragraph. If most are "I", "He", "She" or "Then", it's time to vary them.

  2. Try an adverb opener

    Start with an -ly word: Carefully, Silently, Reluctantly. Put a comma after it.

  3. Try an -ing or -ed opener

    Gripping the rope, she began to climb. Exhausted, he sank onto the sofa.

  4. Try a prepositional or time opener

    Beneath the bridge… Across the field… Later that night… At the bottom of the garden… (These are fronted adverbials.)

  5. Try a subordinate clause first

    Start with a word like although, because, when, if, as or while: Although the rain had stopped, the path was still flooded.

  6. Mix the lengths

    Follow two longer sentences with a short one for impact. Use long sentences for description and short ones for action and shocks.

Before and after examples

Each example starts with a plain sentence, then shows how the technique improves it.

Same openers

Before

I walked to the river. I saw a boat. I got in it. I started to row.

After

Down at the river, a small blue boat bobbed against the bank. Without thinking, I climbed in. Gripping the oars, I began to row.

Why it works: A prepositional opener, an adverbial phrase and an -ing opener replace four sentences that started with "I".

Long then short

Before

We walked into the cave and it was very dark and we could hear water dripping and then the torch went off.

After

We edged into the cave, our torch beam wobbling over the damp walls while water dripped somewhere far ahead. Then the torch died.

Why it works: A long, flowing sentence builds atmosphere; the short one lands like a shock.

Subordinate clause opener

Before

The match was cancelled. It was raining. We were disappointed.

After

Because the pitch had turned into a swamp, the match was called off, and twenty-two muddy faces fell at once.

Why it works: Joining ideas with a subordinate clause shows how they connect.

A one-word sentence

Before

Then it was very quiet.

After

The shouting stopped. Silence.

Why it works: Used once, a one-word sentence is powerful. Used often, it loses its effect.

Sentence openers to try

  • Adverbs: Slowly, Suddenly, Nervously, Fortunately, Without warning
  • -ing words: Clutching…, Racing…, Whispering…, Peering…
  • -ed words: Terrified, …, Exhausted, …, Determined, …
  • Where: Beneath…, Beyond…, Inside…, Across…, Behind…
  • When: Moments later…, At midnight…, Before long…, As the sun set…
  • Subordinate clauses: Although…, Because…, When…, If…, While…, As…

Common mistakes and how to fix them

  • Mistake: Starting every sentence with a fancy opener.

    Fix: Variety means a mix. Plain "She ran" is fine between more complex sentences.

  • Mistake: Missing the comma after a fronted adverbial.

    Fix: Put a comma after the opener: "Silently, she crept downstairs."

  • Mistake: Very long sentences joined with "and then… and then…".

    Fix: Break them up, or join ideas with words like although, because and while.

  • Mistake: Dangling -ing openers: "Running down the road, the bus left."

    Fix: Make sure the person doing the -ing comes straight after the comma: "Running down the road, I watched the bus leave."

Try it

About 10 minutes

Rewrite this paragraph so that no two sentences start the same way and the lengths vary: "I went into the garden. I saw a strange light. I walked towards it. I felt scared. I touched it. It disappeared."

  1. Use at least one adverb opener, one -ing opener and one prepositional opener.
  2. Include one long sentence and one very short sentence.
  3. Check your commas after fronted adverbials.

Finished? Read it aloud: if a sentence sounds flat, try it again. When you're ready to write a whole story, pick a title from the free story prompts.

Get feedback on a story Enter the free writing competition

Questions parents ask

What is a sentence opener?

It's the word or phrase at the start of a sentence. Varying openers (with adverbs, -ing words, prepositions or subordinate clauses) stops writing sounding repetitive.

What is a fronted adverbial?

A word or phrase at the start of a sentence that tells you when, where or how something happened, followed by a comma: "Later that evening," "Under the table," "With a deep breath,".

Why are short sentences good for tension?

Short sentences make the reader read faster and pause more often, which feels like a quickening heartbeat. They work best after longer sentences, so the contrast is clear.

How can my child practise varying sentences?

Take a paragraph they've written and ask them to underline the first word of every sentence. Then rewrite three of the sentences with different openers, and turn one long sentence into a short, punchy one.