I know that's kinda an awkward wording...what I mean is how many words are generally in a well-developed sentence that isn't a fragment or a run-on? Also, I don't mean sentences like "The dog runs fast" I mean normal sentences that you might find in a article or essay. Maybe 20...?
2006-09-17 13:12:36 · 10 answers · asked by Mariah 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
That's a neat question. I'm sure many of my instructors would fight to the death over this one, but I contend with many answerers who say it does not matter.
What matters most is whether the sentence makes sense to the reader and accomplishes your goal.
But perhaps a writer's individual preference comes into play. I really hate superfluous writing, while others thrive on it and make it work well. Obviously the minimalist Hemingway's sentences would be shorter than Faulkner's... but that doesn't make one "good" and the other "bad," does it?
Good question, once again.
2006-09-18 16:29:32 · answer #1 · answered by mtnlady 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Average Words In A Sentence
2016-10-17 03:53:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just concentrate on whether the sentence is conveying a single thought clearly, with as less words as possible. If you are using too many words, probably, you are trying to convey more than one thought in a sentence.
If you look at fragments and run-ons, they do not convey thoughts clearly.
A fragmented sentence does not convey a complete single thought. For example: The women in the East-end Bar.
A run-on sentence joins two or more complete sentences with no punctuation. For example: She was looking bored she was beautiful.
2006-09-17 18:19:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
about 28
2006-09-17 13:15:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different rules for the written word . The written word is usually lacking the normal voice inflections that we commonly use without even knowing that we do . More often than not , you're friends and co-workers can tell you more about your own verbal idiosyncrasies than you could identify yourself . The comma after 'typically' aids in conveying your point to the reader . . . . . I say "Keep it" !! Good question !!
2016-03-17 22:14:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always thought around 12 words made a good sentence. Maybe 10, if you consider that last sentence of mine a good one. I don't think the number of words is what makes a sentence good, it is what you are saying and how you are saying it. "The dog runs fast" is not a great sentence you are right but "The dog sprints to escape the dog catcher" is not bad and it has very few words still.
2006-09-17 13:22:15 · answer #6 · answered by Raj 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
8
2016-06-14 05:55:48 · answer #7 · answered by Stephanie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question! I've never thought about it like that. Of course we don't (or I don't anyway) count the words in our sentences as we speak ...
2006-09-17 13:31:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Despite computer-based systems attempts to promote guidelines, the real answer is that there a just as many words as needed to complete the thought and not one more.
2006-09-17 13:22:38 · answer #9 · answered by questor_2001 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As many or few as it takes. It is context related.
2006-09-17 13:21:13 · answer #10 · answered by Faith 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋