Q&A for How to Write a Sentence

My biggest suggestion for expanding your writing while staying on topic is to add detail. Rather than stating bland nouns (apple), add adjectives (fresh, red apple). Similarly, you can do this with verbs (running briskly). On a grander scale though, extra sentences just need to enhance the main topic with details about the setting, characters, etc.

It's possible you're having difficulty deciding what point you are trying to make. This is one of the most difficult parts of writing. Decide exactly what you mean and sometimes this means taking more time than you would like in order to research and think your topic through. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone (anyone willing to listen) about what you hope to convey in your story or essay. They may be able to point out what does not make sense to them or ask useful questions. Or, try writing each sentence on an index card and move them around rather than using a word processing program.

A complex sentence is a sentence with one or more dependent clauses. For example, "John, who is my grandson, does not write anymore". The dependent clause in this sentence is "who is my grandson".

As stated above, a compound sentence consists of two simple sentences joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction ("FANBOYS"). So just start with two simple sentences: for example, "I like this" and "I don't like that." Then combine them into one longer sentence with a comma and a coordinating conjunction between them: "I like this, but I don't like that."

If your sentences run on too long, try reading them out loud. If you run out of breath, the sentence is too long!

Check out the wikiHow article http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Parts-of-Speech for great information regarding the parts of speech! This article discusses nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions, interjections, prepositions, and more.

Semicolons are used when combining two independent clauses. As a tip, if you could replace the semicolon with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), then it is correct. Colons are used before a list of nouns, usually separated by commas. Also, colons are used in things like the time (4:00 P.M.) Example: "I like using WikiHow, and I am happy I signed up for it". In this situation, a semicolon could be used. "I like using WikiHow; I am happy I signed up for it". "I have many favorite foods apples, oranges, and bananas". Here, a colon would be used before the list. "I have many favorite foods: apples, oranges, and bananas".

Run on sentences are a common problem for beginning writers. The run on sentence tends to lead to reader exhaustion and sometimes reader confusion. Try to have one subject, one verb and one object in each sentence while you are learning.

Sentence fragments can happen easily in writing. This is because it is acceptable to use sentence fragments in conversation; however, in writing the fragments lead to confusion. Example (in conversation): "No, no milk" "No milk?" "Yes, no milk." "Oh, okay." "Go take care of the next cow instead." In conversation there are many cues that help us understand the meaning of a few scattered words. In writing, especially with no other input (such as pictures) the reader has only the words to rely on. If you wish to be understood in writing, you must use complete sentences. Each sentence must have a subject, a verb and generally an object. Example: "You milk the white cow. The brown one is ill."

There really is no sequential formula for structuring a sentence, because there are so many ways to write a thought. Typically, however, you would see a pattern of article + adjective + noun, or adverb + adjective + noun, or adverb + verb, or verb + adverb. The possible combinations are endless. Generally, you should write the way you speak.

It would be better to say "Sometimes I like to watch horror movies in my spare time." Your first suggestion sounds a bit awkward. Also, movies does not need the apostrophe.