How to make your sentences longer (without adding fluff)
Under word count? Learn how to make your sentences longer (and stronger)
We've written several articles about how to write concisely. These tips are handy in circumstances where every word counts, like writing a tweet or landing page copy. However, there may be times when you want to make your sentences longer instead. If this is the case, keep reading.
Unlike some blogs, we're not going to tell you to add meaningless words just to beef up your word count. That's a waste of your time, and your reader's.
Instead, we'll explore how to rework sentences to increase your writing quality and your word count. Let's get to it.
1. Connect ideas with conjunctions
Conjunctions—sometimes called "glue words"—connect ideas together and are one of the most reliable ways to make sentences longer. There are three types of conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative.
Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions tend to link words or clauses of equal importance. The English language has seven of them: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. Some people use the acronym "FANBOYS" to remember them.
Whenever you use a coordinating conjunction to form a compound sentence, you must place a comma before it.
Annie likes to bake, but she's not good at it.
I slept through my alarm, so I was late for work.
Subordinating conjunctions
You can also use subordinating conjunctions to elongate your sentences. They're used to connect dependent and independent clauses. Here are some examples:
Although Cedric owns a motorbike, he's never used it.
I didn't complete my report on time because my laptop broke.
Correlative conjunctions
This last category refers to conjunctions that come in pairs. As the name suggests, they connect parts of a sentence that correlate with one another. Some common examples are "neither/nor" and "not only/but also".
Katrina speaks neither French nor Spanish.
Both the teacher and the assistant called in sick.
2. Use transitional phrases
If you've ever written an essay or academic paper, you'll be familiar with transitional phrases. They are often placed at the start or in the middle of a sentence, and are used to show relationships between ideas.
Transitional phrases have different purposes (as shown below), so be careful not to misuse or overuse them.
| Purpose | Transitional phrase examples |
|---|---|
| To compare | in addition, furthermore, as a result |
| To contrast | alternatively, however, on the contrary |
| To emphasize | particularly, especially, above all |
| Show cause/effect | Due to this, therefore, as a consequence |
| To conclude | finally, in conclusion, to summarize |
3. Give examples
Providing a concrete example is one of the best ways to make writing longer and easier to understand. Phrases like "including", "for instance", and "such as" can help introduce an example.
Retailers providing essential services, such as supermarkets and pharmacists, will remain open.
There are more young women joining male-dominated fields, like law and engineering.
4. Be descriptive
Using descriptive language is an effective sentence expansion strategy for creative writers. It makes your work more engaging and easier to visualize, and may even evoke a strong emotional response (like joy, sadness, or confidence).
You can start by incorporating more adjectives or adverbs. If you feel ambitious, add figures of speech like hyperbole and similes. Just be careful not to go overboard with the descriptive language — you don't need seven adjectives to describe a noun when one or two would suffice.
5. Replace contractions
Obviously, changing a contraction to its full form is going to make your sentences longer. But removing them can also help make your writing sound more formal.
Here are some common contractions to watch out for:
- won't --> will not
- you're --> you are
- it'll --> it shall / it will
- 'twas --> it was
- shouldn't've --> should not have
6. Expand sentences with a paraphrasing tool
If you're short on time or ideas, consider using an online paraphrasing tool. They'll suggest different ways to rewrite your text according to your preferences (like making a sentence simpler, shorter, or more formal).
Outwrite actually has a rewriting goal specifically for expanding sentences. It's one of our many Pro features. Head to our website to check it out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I increase my essay word count without adding fluff?
A: Focus on techniques that add genuine value, like connecting ideas with conjunctions, adding concrete examples, and using descriptive language, rather than repeating points or adding filler words. These methods naturally expand your sentences while improving clarity and depth.
Q: What's the fastest way to lengthen a sentence without changing its meaning?
A: Adding a transitional phrase or a subordinating conjunction is usually the quickest method, since it lets you connect an existing idea to additional context without introducing new information.
Q: What are some AI tools that can help me make sentences longer?
A: Outwrite's AI paraphrasing tool has an "expand" feature that finds natural-sounding ways to increase the length of any sentences you highlight. You can also ask tools like Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini to suggest ways to make your sentences longer.
