Short sentences? Power. Precision. Punch.
But why should you care? Because short sentences make your thoughts clearer, help you avoid grammatical disasters, and most importantly, prevent people from zoning out while you talk. This is especially crucial in Singapore, where we dance between English, Singlish, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, and various dialects like a linguistic Cirque du Soleil.
Example 1: The Meandering Nightmare vs. The Clear Win
Long-winded: "Due to the fact that I was extremely hungry and, as a result of not having eaten breakfast or lunch, I thought it would be a good idea, although I was aware that I had a meeting soon, to grab a bite at the hawker centre, which, while being quite far, was known for its incredible laksa."
Short and Sharp: "I was starving. Skipped breakfast and lunch. Meeting soon, but laksa was calling."
Boom. Straight to the point. No one needs to wade through a swamp of words just to know you were hungry.
Example 2: Confusing Syntax vs. No-Nonsense Clarity
Long-winded: "It has come to my attention that the situation in which you have found yourself has, in a rather unfortunate manner, resulted in some complications that we may need to further discuss in order to come to a resolution that satisfies all parties involved."
Short and Sharp: "Bro, got problem ah? Let’s talk and settle."
Simple. Direct. Zero confusion.
Now, let’s get to the juicy part—how to keep things short, even when you're switching between languages like a pro.
5 Ways to Keep Sentences Short (Even When Code-Switching Like a Boss)
1. Think Like Confucius (Or Yoda, If You Prefer)
When in doubt, channel the masters of brevity. Confucius: “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Yoda: “Do or do not. There is no try.”
Moral of the story? Cut the fluff. If even a legendary philosopher and a tiny green alien can keep it short, so can you.
2. Break One Big Sentence Into Many Small Ones
Long sentences are like a giant roti prata—tasty, but if you try to eat it all at once, you’ll choke. Break it up.
Instead of: "Because I was feeling incredibly tired after an entire day of work and the MRT was crowded beyond belief, I decided to take a Grab home, even though I knew it would be expensive, but at least I would be comfortable."
Try: "Work was exhausting. MRT? Jam-packed. Grab was expensive, but worth it."
Short sentences hit different.
3. Use More Full Stops. Period.
Some people are afraid of full stops. They think they make writing sound choppy. But actually? They make things clearer. Easier to read. Easier to say. Try it.
Winston Churchill once said, “Short words are best and the old words when short are best of all.”
Wah, this guy knew his stuff.
4. One Idea = One Sentence
If your sentence is juggling too many ideas, it’s time for a breakup. Keep it monogamous—one sentence, one thought.
Instead of: "Since the weather was extremely hot and I had just finished my run, I thought it would be a good idea to grab an iced kopi from the nearby hawker centre before heading home to shower and rest."
Try: "Super hot today. Just ran. Needed iced kopi. Then home. Then shower. Then nap."
5. When Code-Switching, Keep Transitions Simple
In Singapore, we mix languages like we mix our Milo—thick and shiok. But when you switch, don’t overcomplicate it.
Instead of: "I was feeling very tired, and since my boss made me OT, I told my friend, ‘Eh, I cannot already lah, maybe we meet next time?’ and then went home."
Try: "Sibei tired. Boss make me OT. Told my friend, ‘Eh, next time lah.’ Then go home."
Final Thoughts: Why Short Sentences Win at Life
Short sentences are like your best hawker stall—fast, efficient, and no nonsense. They make you sound smarter, clearer, and way more engaging. They also save your brain power. Why waste energy processing a novel when you can get the same meaning in one quick punch?
So, the next time you’re about to send a text, write an email, or explain something, just remember: keep it short, lah. Your readers (and your brain) will thank you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment