Professional academic or technical writers need only some basic sentence patterns to produce easy-to-understand writing. Each of the following sentence patterns produces a clear academic or technical writing. However, do not use any of the patterns twice in a row to prevent duplication and boring writing. In addition, more complex sentence patterns are used less frequently. They are more challenging for the reader and may make the overall writing more complicated.
All valid sentence patterns begin with the Subject-Verb-Object [SVO] sentence structure. Optional components are additional SVO structures and descriptive words, phrases and clauses [D] that can be placed in different locations.
In the example below, the topics are underlined and the main verbs are in italics.
1. Simple sentence [SVO]: from
A simple sentence has a subject - verb pair. It starts with the subject [or adjective and subject]. The subject is followed by a verb [or adverb and verb]. A simple sentence might contain an object.
example 1: from
Computer desktop provide Access your files.
2. Simple sentence, simple introductory description [D + SVO]: from
The main sentence is a simple sentence. It was preceded by a simple descriptive phrase with only one description level [2a] or a simple descriptive statement with only one subject and verb [2b]. If you need to describe some aspects of the introductory description, use two sentences. Otherwise, the description will be too complicated and increase the likelihood of confusion.
Example 2a: from
By design, computer desktop provide Access your files.
Example 2b: from
When your computer is working properly, the computer desktop provide Access your files.
3. Compound simple sentence [SVO + SVO]: from
Two simple sentences are grouped together by conjunctions.
Example 3: from
Computer desktop provide Access your files and external hard disk store backup file.
4. Compound simple sentence, a brief introduction [D + SVO + SVO]: from
This mode combines the first two modes.
Example 4: from
According to the instructions, the computer desktop provide Access your files and external hard disk store backup file.
5. Simple sentence with compound predicates [SVO + VO]: from
There are two main verbs in this topic.
Example 5: from
Computer desktop provide Access your files and contain Shortcuts to frequently used programs and folders.
6. Simple sentence of composite object [SVO + O]: from
The verb has two objects. Not every sentence has an object, but a sentence that can have one object can have two.
Example 6: from
Computer desktop provide Access your files and important information about your computer.
7. A simple sentence with a subject or verb descriptive phrase [S + D - VO; S-V + D -O]: from
The descriptive phrase is after the subject [7a] and after or before the verb [7b]. If you use a descriptive phrase after the topic, shorten it as much as possible because it separates the subject from the main verb. Descriptive phrases have no subject or verb.
Example 7a: from
Computer desktop from
, your starting point, provide Access your files.
Example 7b: from
Computer desktop provide Access your files as simply as possible.
8. A sentence with a descriptive phrase or sentence [sentence + D]: from
Any previous sentence pattern can follow a descriptive phrase or clause. For example, the descriptive clause in Example 8a follows a simple sentence, the descriptive phrase in Example 8b follows a compound sentence, and the descriptive phrase in Example 8c follows a simple sentence with a brief introductory description.
Example 8a: from
Computer desktop provide Access your files, which is handy when you need to find files quickly.
Example 8b: from
Computer desktop provide Access your files and external hard disk store Back up files, so there are two ways to access all files.
Example 8c: from
By design, computer desktop provide Access your files and back up your copy on an external drive.
Other sentence patterns: from
These eight sample types work well for you in almost every instance. You can modify them to create additional modes. For example, you can add descriptive words in multiple places. However, for each sentence you write, consider the complexity and consider whether a simpler pattern is valid. Some warnings: [1] keep the SVO mode intact, [2] use only one level of description, and [3] use few descriptive terms and phrases [if any].
By using these patterns, you will communicate clearly with your readers and become more capable in academic or technical writing.
Orignal From: 8 academic and technical writing sentence patterns
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