The Power of Short Sentences

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we’re saving the English language sixty seconds at a time! I’m Lauren Smyth, and short sentences are my bread and butter as a fiction writer. Consider this sort-of sentence: “Then, silence.” Not … a whole lot to it. But it’s expressive—short and sharp. This is something to keep in mind when you’re deciding how long you want your sentences to be. We often say there are two wrong lengths for sentences. We call them fragments if they’re too short and run-on sentences if they’re too long. But knowing the rules gives you license to break them. Fragments—usually sentences without subjects or without verbs—convey quick motion, intense feeling, or speed. Think Jason Bourne when he’s pulling some slick action move. Run-on sentences convey confusion or breathlessness. Think Jason Bourne’s ditzy sidekick who’s hanging on for dear life. The point is that sentence length matters. And in many cases, especially in informal or expressive writing, rules don’t. That’s your Grammar Minute! Visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.