2. There are 6 ways to open a sentence. They add variety to the way our sentences sound. It would be boring if all sentences sounded the same (like these three do).
3. Since variety is our friend (especially in writing), I have a friend to help you learn sentence openers. Mrs. Cannon’s Roaming Gnome
4. Sentence opener # 1: Subject opener A subject opener opens with the subject of the sentence. For example… I love to feel the sand between my toes!
5. Since “I” is the subject of the sentence “I love the feeling of sand between my toes,” it is a #1 subject opener. I love to feel the sand between my toes!
6. Sentence opener # 2: Preposition opener A preposition opener begins with a preposition. For example… On this cruise ship, the food is fantastic!
7. Prepositions show the relationship between two nouns. In this sentence, “cruise ship” and “food” are connected with the word “on.” On this cruise ship, the food is fantastic! Want the full list of prepositions? See page 6 of the Student Resource Notebook.
8. Sentence opener # 3: “-ly” adverb opener An “-ly” opener starts with an “-ly” word followed by a comma. For example… Hungrily, I munched on the conch creole.
9. Since it begins with an “-ly” adverb, this is clearly a #3 sentence opener. Hungrily, I munched on the conch creole.
10. Sentence opener # 4: “-ing” opener An “-ing” opener begins with an “-ing” that is working as a verb. For example… Relaxing on the beach, I watch the placid waves.
11. This only works if the “-ing” phrase is followed by a comma. Otherwise, it is not truly a #4. Relaxing on the beach, I watch the placid waves.
12. When sitting on a towel elephant, l like to pretend that I am in Asia. Sentence opener # 5: Adverb clause opener An adverb clause opener begins with one of the words in www.asia.buuba. For example…
13. When sitting on a towel elephant, l like to pretend that I am in Asia. Since it begins with when, this is a www.asia.buuba clause, so it is a #5 opener.
14. Sentence opener # 6: Very short sentence A very short sentence is five words or less. For example… I hid behind the leaves. No one saw me. Mrs. Bush never heard me.
15. Because each of these three sentences are under five words, they are very short sentences. 5 words I hid behind the leaves. No one saw me. Mrs. Bush never heard me. 4 words 5 words
