Some sentences spend so much time getting started that readers have to wait for the actual information. Writers often begin sentences with introductory words and phrases because they seem to create a smoother transition into the main idea. Sometimes they do. Other times, the introduction contributes little or nothing and simply delays the sentence. Consider this example from Beauty and the Beast:
At that particular moment in time, Belle walked into the library.
The important information is simple:
Belle walked into the library.
The introductory phrase doesn't add meaningful context. It merely makes readers travel through six unnecessary words before reaching Belle and the action. That's the problem with unnecessary introductions. They make sentences longer without making them clearer.
What Is an Unnecessary Introduction? It's words and phrases that appear before the main clause of a sentence. They can establish time, place, condition, contrast, or other useful information. For example:
After the Beast left the room, Belle opened the book.
The introductory clause matters because it establishes when Belle acts. But introductory material becomes a problem when it tells readers something they don't need, repeats information they already know, or serves only as a verbal warm-up. Consider:
As she stood there in the library, Belle looked at the rows of books.
If readers already know Belle is standing in the library, the introduction accomplishes very little. A cleaner version is:
Belle looked at the rows of books.
Notice how the sentence only includes information that contributes something useful.
Watch for Empty Warm-Up Phrases
Some introductory phrases creep into writing because they're common in conversation. We naturally give ourselves a little runway before getting to what we want to say. That habit can follow us onto the page. Watch for openings such as:
- At that point in time
- At that moment
- As a matter of fact
- In fact
- In many cases
- For the most part
- It is important to remember that
- It should be noted that
- As you may already know
- In terms of
These phrases aren't automatically wrong. Some can provide necessary transitions or emphasis. The question is whether they're actually doing that in your sentence.
Introductions Can Repeat What Readers Already Know
Context often makes introductory information unnecessary. Imagine Belle and the Beast are already eating dinner:
While they were sitting together at the dinner table, Belle asked the Beast about the castle.
Readers know where they are. Repeating that information slows the scene. Instead:
Belle asked the Beast about the castle.
If something happening at the table matters, use the introduction to provide new information:
As the Beast reached for his wine, Belle asked about the locked room upstairs.
Now the introductory phrase contributes action to the scene rather than repeating the setting.
Time Introductions Are Frequent Offenders
Writers often feel compelled to announce the passage of time even when the sequence of events already makes it clear. Consider:
After a few moments had passed, the Beast opened the door.
Do readers need to know that moments passed? Maybe. If the pause creates tension, the delay could matter:
Belle waited. The Beast said nothing. Finally, he opened the door.
Now readers experience the uncomfortable pause. If the delay isn't important, simply write:
The Beast opened the door.
Don't announce time simply because time passed. Include it when the timing affects the meaning, pacing, or experience of the sentence.
Introductory Phrases Can Weaken the Main Idea
The beginning of a sentence requires valuable attention. Filling that space with unnecessary introductory material can bury stronger information. Consider:
In an effort to escape from the castle, Belle ran toward the gates.
The sentence spends eight words preparing readers for the action. The real action is much stronger:
Belle ran toward the gates.
If her intention to escape matters:
Belle raced toward the gates, determined to escape the castle.
Now the sentence leads with action and still communicates her purpose.
Don't Delete Every Introduction
Introductory phrases are useful tools. They can establish relationships between ideas:
Although Belle feared the Beast, she refused to abandon her father.
They can establish time:
Before sunrise, Belle saddled her horse.
They can establish conditions:
If the last rose petal fell, the curse would become permanent.
They can also vary sentence structure and improve rhythm. The goal isn't to remove introductory phrases. It's to make sure they're earning the valuable space they occupy at the beginning of the sentence.
A Quick Editing Exercise
Choose a page of your manuscript and look only at the beginnings of your sentences. Pay particular attention to anything appearing before the main subject and verb. For each introduction, ask:
- Does this provide information readers need?
- Does it establish an important relationship, condition, time, or place?
- Does it repeat something readers already know?
- Could I remove it without changing the meaning?
- Could the sentence begin more effectively with the subject or action?
Try deleting questionable introductions and reading the sentences again. If the meaning remains intact and the sentence becomes clearer, you've probably found unnecessary words.
Give Your Sentences a Reason to Start Where They Do
Not every sentence needs to rush directly into its subject and verb. Introductions can control pacing, establish context, create transitions, and provide sentence variety. But they should have a purpose. When an introduction merely fills space before the real sentence begins, readers have to process words that provide no reward. During revision, pay attention to those first few words. Ask what they're contributing before automatically allowing them to stay.
Sometimes the strongest sentence doesn't need a better introduction. It doesn't need an introduction at all.