How English Sentences Work
Master the core architecture of clear, powerful English sentences without getting bogged down in textbook jargon. Learn how to connect subjects, control clauses, and position modifiers so your writing always says exactly what you mean.
Like Duolingo, but for How English Sentences Work. Tomo turns the whole topic into a game you play five minutes a day, until it actually sticks.
A short one: 12 levels across 2 sections, about 24 minutes end to end, roughly 5 days at five minutes a day. It moves through Building a Solid Sentence and Polishing for Clarity and Precision. It starts from scratch.
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Key ideas in How English Sentences Work
- A complete sentence must name who or what is acting (a subject) and what they do or are (a verb)
- A standalone action without a stated subject is just an incomplete fragment
- A descriptive noun phrase without a verb doing any action is also an incomplete fragment
- Descriptive phrases tucked between a subject and verb (like 'of old vinyl records') describe the subject but do not change its number
- The true grammatical subject here is the singular noun 'box', not the plural noun 'records' right next to the blank
- Singular subjects take singular verbs ending in -s (like 'sits')
- Connecting two or more subjects with 'and' makes them plural, requiring a plural verb
- When subjects are linked by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with whichever subject is closest to it
- If a plural noun sits closest to the verb after 'or' or 'nor', use a plural verb; if a singular noun sits closest, use a singular verb
- A pronoun like 'he' or 'she' replaces a noun previously mentioned
- If two possible people of the same gender appear before a pronoun, readers cannot tell which one the pronoun replaces
- To fix ambiguous pronouns, writers replace the pronoun with the specific person's name
- The word 'there' is just a placeholder; the true subject comes later in the clause
- Sentences beginning with 'there is' or 'there are' invert normal order by placing the real subject after the verb
- If the following noun is plural ('slices'), use 'there are'; if it is singular ('bottle'), use 'there is'
- A complete sentence must express a finished thought with both a subject and a verb
You've tried the other tabs
Thirty open tabs. Four facts you actually kept.
You watched. You nodded. By Sunday it was gone.
One answer, then back to scrolling.
Eight weeks. You meant to finish. You didn't.
Tomo gives How English Sentences Work the Duolingo treatment: levels, streaks, and quick quizzes that test what you just learned. That game loop is what the tabs above never had, so it's the one you actually finish.
Here's what playing it feels like
A real question from this course. Take your best guess.
Look at the phrase: 'Ran across the parking lot in the pouring rain.' Why is this not a full sentence?
Get it right to open this lesson and 11 more in the app.
How to learn How English Sentences Work, step by step
Go in order. 12 short levels across 2 sections, about 24 minutes in all, five minutes a day.
- 1
Building a Solid Sentence
- The Core Engine: Subjects and Verbs
- Stitching Thoughts: Clauses and Boundaries
- 2
Polishing for Clarity and Precision
- Positioning Descriptors: Modifiers and Meaning
- Navigating Time: Tense and Sequence
2 sections · 4 units · 12 levels. Built to play, not to enroll.
Questions about How English Sentences Work
How do I learn How English Sentences Work?
Go in order: start with Building a Solid Sentence, then Polishing for Clarity and Precision. On Tomo that's 12 short levels, about 24 minutes in all, played five minutes a day. Start free and play the first level in under a minute.
Is there a Duolingo-style app for How English Sentences Work?
Yes. Tomo works like Duolingo: short daily lessons, streaks and quick quizzes. How English Sentences Work is one of its free courses, and you can type any other topic to get a course of your own.
Is the How English Sentences Work course free?
Yes. How English Sentences Work is playable on Tomo's free plan, which doesn't expire. No credit card, no waitlist. Download the app and start your first lesson.
How long does it take to learn How English Sentences Work?
12 levels across 2 sections, about 24 minutes of play in total. It's built for five minutes a day, so you finish it a little at a time instead of all at once.
Do I need any background to start How English Sentences Work?
No. It's pitched at a beginner level, so it starts where you are and builds up. If you can tap a phone, you can start.
Tomo is in ChatGPT
Tomo is also a ChatGPT plugin: the same playable courses, built and played inside your chat.
Add Tomo to ChatGPT- What to ask
- “Make me a Tomo course on black holes.” “Turn this chat into a Tomo course.”
- What you get
- Quick questions with instant feedback, hearts and stars, ready to play in about a minute.
- Where it goes
- No sign-up to start. Connect your Tomo account and your streak carries on in the app.
You pick the voice
How English Sentences Work is taught in the Bestie style: your friend who just gets it. Want a different feel? In the app you can spin up the same topic in any of Tomo's teaching styles. Same facts, totally different vibe.
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Start How English Sentences Work today.
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