What is a sausage sentence?

A "sausage sentence" is a colloquial term for a sentence that is overly long and rambling. It's often used to describe a sentence that has too many clauses and phrases stuffed together, making it difficult to understand and unpleasant to read.

Think of it like a sausage: you can have too much filling packed in, making it difficult to bite into and enjoy.

Here's an example:

"The dog, a fluffy golden retriever with a playful nature and a tendency to chase squirrels, who was always eager to greet visitors with a wagging tail and a wet nose, barked excitedly when he heard the doorbell ring, but he quickly quieted down when he realized it was only the mailman, who he knew well, and he settled back down on his favorite rug, a soft, worn, and threadbare piece of furniture that he had claimed as his own."

This sentence is a bit of a mouthful! It's packed with details and clauses, making it difficult to follow the main point.

To avoid sausage sentences, focus on:

* Keeping your sentences concise.

* Using punctuation effectively to break up your thoughts.

* Prioritizing clear and direct communication.

By following these tips, you can write sentences that are easy to read and understand, rather than serving up a linguistic sausage.