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Common mistake Punctuation and style

Varied sentence openings

Repeated sentence openings: how to vary the start

Several sentences in a row start with the same word or phrase. In short: Start your sentences in different ways: with a linking phrase (As a result, ...), a time or place (In many cities, ...), or “This” and a noun (This change ...).

This guide is for writers moving from B1 to B2 or from B2 to C1.

The rule for repeated sentence openings

Start your sentences in different ways: with a linking phrase (As a result, ...), a time or place (In many cities, ...), or “This” and a noun (This change ...).

Pattern: Open with a linking phrase (As a result, ...), a time or place phrase (In many cities, ...), a clause (Although ..., / When ...,) or This + noun (This change ...).

Use this when several sentences in a row start the same way ("The ... The ... The ..."). Varied openings make writing flow and show how ideas connect.

Repeated sentence openings: wrong and right examples

  • Make one sentence that starts with "Because"

    Wrong The bus was late. I missed the meeting.

    Right Because the bus was late, I missed the meeting.

  • Start the second sentence with "This decision"

    Wrong The council closed the library. The council made many parents angry.

    Right The council closed the library. This decision made many parents angry.

More right sentences

  • Many shops closed. As a result, the town centre emptied.
  • Although rents are high, young people still move to the city.
  • In many countries, this trend is growing.

Traps to avoid with repeated sentence openings

  • Do not start every sentence with a linker either: "Moreover ... Furthermore ... Moreover" is just as repetitive.
  • After an opening phrase, keep the subject clear.

Skills that train repeated sentence openings

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