Here the impact is not short and sharp, but a lingering one that leaves you wondering what the speaker would have said had she continued.Ĭlarify a longer description – Following a long description, often in formal texts, or in work emails, for example, truncated sentences can be used to summarise and clarify what’s gone before: May the sun always…” She gazed out at the street. When used with ellipsis, truncated sentences can have a different kind of impact too:Ībby lifted her glass. Using shorter truncated sentence gives the other person more time to pause and think about what is being said, creating a bigger impact. This gives the other person space in which to consider what is said. There is a natural pause after a sentence. Make an impact – You can use short, truncated sentences to create punch and make a point. Reinforce what’s being said – A truncated sentence can place emphasis on a previous statement or sentence. Think of the importance of sentence structure – short, simple sentences or truncated sentences can create tension, haste or urgency, whereas longer compound or complex sentences are slower, and often feature in formal texts. When it comes to communicating, sometimes less is more. For example, “Let’s go!” creates a sense of urgency, whereas the longer “Let’s go now because the shops will be shutting in half an hour” doesn’t.

But what other reasons are there for using truncated sentences?Ĭreate tension, haste or urgency – We talk about a short, sharp shock – when we shorten our communication, we give it power. The above example shows us that truncated sentences can be used to make communication more casual and conversational. “I like reading books more than Diane likes reading books” Why use a truncated sentence? Take a look at these examples and read them aloud – and think about the effect created by shortening the sentence: Here there’s no need for the word “does” to be used in order for the meaning of the sentence to be understood, so the writer or speaker has removed it – in this case, because it’s a more casual, conversational way to express how they feel about reading.Ī good way to understand the effects of a truncated sentence is to extend the sentence by adding the words that are missing, and comparing the extended version to the truncated one. However, the second sentence is truncated, as it has been shortened. A truncated sentence has to have been cut short – there need to be words missing. Truncated sentences are often referred to as short sentences, but there is a difference between short sentences and truncated sentences.

We’re going to take a closer look at truncated sentences now, and explain what they are, why you might want to use them, and how you can you use them to improve your English skills. Truncated sentences pop up a lot in everyday speech too, although they can cause some confusion when used incorrectly.

Be it in a novel, play or poem, writers know that truncated sentences can have a range of effects, and they use them on purpose, often to grab our attention. Why do people cut sentences short? Truncated sentences are used for a variety of reasons in both spoken and written English. When you cut something short you truncate it, and you can truncate many things – including sentences.

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