5 Effective Tips to Make Sentences Longer and Better

The question of how to make sentences longer is not as far-fetched as you might imagine.

Sentences should be clear and convey meaning, no matter the length. Short sentences don’t say much, whereas a long sentence can be packed with a depth of meaning and even humor.

The question is, how to make sentences longer without compromising quality. This article provides tips that will help you lengthen your sentences easily.

Reading longer text and listening to long-winded speeches could cause fatigue. But you can avoid this by maximizing the value you offer your audience.

There is a better way of making sentences longer than simply throwing in some useless words, which can come across as pretentious and condescending.

Following these key strategies will make your sentences longer without compromising quality.

1. Add a transitional phrase

Your sentence will become longer and more professional when you use transitional phrases.

Transitioning phrases add depth, clarity, coherence, and confidence to your writing style. They are used to bridge the gap between two sentences and indicate relationships between ideas.

However, the phrase can make your sentence confusing when used in the wrong place. Examples of transitional phrases are: as a consequence, in conclusion, in addition, furthermore, alternatively, however, on the contrary.

2. Use conjunctions to connect ideas

Conjunctions are connectors that can link and strengthen your sentences while lengthening them.

They are typically used to introduce a dependent clause or make significant transitions. If you want to make your sentences longer, conjunctions are a great way.

The most common conjunctions are: and, because,although, even though, if, when, since, though, and unless.

3. Add definitions

An appropriate definition will lengthen your sentences and give your writing authority and precision.

Define standard abbreviations and acronyms when they’re used. Make sure to define the meaning of words that might seem unclear to your readers. The added clarity can make a world of difference.

4. Cite examples

Citing examples is a crucial way to make your writing sound authoritative. Give an example to illustrate your point.

An appropriate way to make your writing easier (and longer) is to use familiar words to explain new concepts. Illustrations help to strengthen your message.

5. Use literary devices

Literary devices such as metaphors and similes can help to make your sentence longer.

They will also give the sentence a new perspective that allow the audience to imagine and experience new things. These devices are often used for a better presentation and can build suspense for the audience.

6. Replace contractions

If you want to lengthen your sentences, you can replace contractions with their full form. For example, instead of “She didn’t go to the store,” use “She did not go to the store.”

Removing contractions, however, can make your writing sound more formal and polished. Replace the contractions; “didn’t,” “can’t,” and “won’t” with ‘did not, ‘cannot, and ‘would not’ respectively.

person writing on brown wooden table near white ceramic mug
Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash

It’s easier to learn how to make sentences longer than you think.

By following the tips mentioned in this article, you will make longer sentences quickly and in no time. However, when writing longer sentences, do not sacrifice quality for length.

Make sure every sentence is clear, well-written, and conveys its meaning.

Pam is an expert grammarian with years of experience teaching English, writing and ESL Grammar courses at the university level. She is enamored with all things language and fascinated with how we use words to shape our world.

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