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Why do some sentences sound better than others?

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Grammar

Why do some sentences sound better than others?

Writing tip: Readers are more likely to grasp simpler concepts at the beginning of a sentence. Use the concept of sentence weight to reserve the complex ideas for the end.

The point of view of someone reading a book in their lap

E ver wonder why certain sentences just click? Take, for instance, the final line of The Count of Monte Cristo, "Until the day when God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words, — 'Wait and hope.'" Notice how the emphasis falls on the end of the sentence. This is a prime example of effective sentence weight. Rearranging the line stifles its impact: "All human wisdom is contained in these two words — 'Wait and hope' — until the day when God will deign to reveal the future to man."

To understand sentence weight, imagine your sentence spanning across a seesaw. English speakers instinctively favor the "heaviest" or most complex part of the sentence on the right side, or at the end of the sentence, and simpler, more digestible elements at the beginning. This concept, sometimes called "end-weight," appeared in Lindley Murray's 1795 book English Grammar, which served as the template for grade-school grammar lessons for centuries.

Longer or complex phrases (such as prepositional phrases) inherently carry more weight than simpler clauses. Excessive complexity at the start can confuse or disengage the reader. The sentence, "It was thoughtful of Mary to send me a card for my birthday," sounds better than, "For Mary to send me a card for my birthday was thoughtful." Linguists have tested pairings of this nature, and the audience always prefers the heavier end-weight structure. The latter feels awkward because the weighty idea comes too early and is distracting.

This is a valuable tool for writers. Consider this line from The Great Gatsby: "In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars." Placing this line on the metaphorical seesaw would undoubtedly cause the right side to plummet to the ground — the end of the sentence is heavy with vivid and complex imagery.

While the "rules" of sentence weight provide guidance, they are by no means rigid. English syntax allows flexibility, and sentence structure can be altered for stylistic effect. When in doubt, consider your seesaw. Weightier ideas typically belong at the end, anchoring the sentence with their emphasis.