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Rolling about in the hay, the children had a wonderful time in the hay barn.

Sentence Openers

Sharpen your sentence openings: use time, place, manner, or subordinating conjunctions to hook readers, vary rhythm, and link ideas clearly in 11 Plus English writing.

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Fascinating Fact:

Begin with a subordinating conjunction: Although tired, I finished the puzzle, before dinner ended and lights dimmed.

In 11 Plus English, strong sentence openers guide the reader and control pace. You will practise fronted adverbials, subordinating conjunctions, and varied starts to make writing clear and engaging.

Key Terms

Subordinating conjunction: A word that joins a dependent clause to a main clause, for example although, because, when.
Fronted adverbial: A time, place, or manner phrase at the start of a sentence, usually followed by a comma.
Dependent clause: A clause that cannot stand alone and needs a main clause to complete the meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a good sentence opener for 11 Plus?

Use a fronted adverbial or a subordinating conjunction, for example Before sunrise, we set off, or Although nervous, Mia stepped forward.

Do I need a comma after a fronted adverbial?

Yes. When an adverbial comes first, add a comma before the main clause, for example After the storm, the garden sparkled.

Should every sentence start the same way?

No. Vary openings to improve flow. Mix adverbials, conjunctions, verbs, and subjects so your writing sounds natural and interesting.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Assured that the enemy would attack early in the morning, he doubled the number of sentries.

Unaware

Certain

Confident

Secure in the belief

'Unaware' is not the same as 'believing'

2 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Unable to swim any further, he rested against the edge of the pool.

Able

Too feeble

Powerless

Too weak

'Able' is not the same as 'Unable'

3 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Although he knew where she was, he did not reveal her hiding place.

Though

However

Even though

Granted that

'However' is not the same as 'Although'

4 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Whenever they came to visit him, they always brought him a bottle of wine.

Each time

Each and every time

On every occasion

Wherever

'Wherever' is not the same as 'Whenever'

5 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Seriously wounded by the shrapnel, he was unable to crawl into the nearby trench.

Badly injured

Seriously hurt

Deeply lacerated

Grazed

'Grazed' is not the same as 'Seriously wounded'

6 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Angered by the shop assistant's rudeness, she made a formal complaint to the manager.

Pacified

Furious

Annoyed

Irritated

'Pacified' is not the same as 'Angered'

7 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Rolling about in the hay, the children had a wonderful time in the hay barn.

Playing

Sitting

Jumping around

Messing around

'Sitting' is not the same as 'Rolling'

8 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Distressed by the loss of her puppy, she posted a reward in the local newspaper.

Distraught

Troubled

Worried

Content

'Content' is not the same as 'Distressed'

9 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Swiftly throwing a punch, he knocked the robber to the ground.

Quickly

Speedily

Lethargically

Nippily

'Lethargically' is not the same as 'Swiftly'

10 .

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
When they finally made up their minds to go, they realized that it was too late.

After

As soon as

Before

Once

'Before' is not the same as 'When'

Author: Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)