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Topic : Problems with constructing a complex sentence with many ideas in it I am trying to write a sentence that tells the reader that the works displayed that they are about to see will bring them - selfpublishingguru.com

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I am trying to write a sentence that tells the reader that the works displayed that they are about to see will bring them back and forth between the real and virtual realms, in a figurative manner. The "borders" that I mentioned in the statement reflects some of the earlier references in the paragraph. This is the sentence that I wrote:

The displayed works will set forth its viewers through a journey from
the physical, passing the borders, into the virtual realm and back.

The sentence is somewhat complicated since I attempt to throw in quite a few ideas together. The phrase back and forth, in particular, is split into "set forth..." and then "back" at the last part of the sentence. I am not sure if my sentence construction is correct and if the sentence delivers my intended meaning.

Somehow, I find my phrasing slightly awkward. Is there anything wrong with my sentence construction/pattern that causes it to sound awkward or lose its intended meaning?


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Here are some ideas. Note, that "the displayed works" may be technically correct, but nobody says or writes that. The awkwardness of your sentence starts there.

These pieces will send the viewer on a journey through the real -- and
into the virtual.

or

This work will take the viewer on a journey through the physical,
across the border into the virtual, and back again!

or, if you were looking for something more direct, like in a story:

Hang on to your hats, boys and girls! Step on up and have a look,
you'll never believe what your eyes will see. Pay two bits, and come
on, strap in for the journey! From the physical, through the virtual,
the borders you'll cross and the things you'll witness your friends
will never believe!

Of course that's last one has a side-show feel to it. It does demonstrate something useful, through -- the fact that you don't need to cram everything into one sentence.

Final point:
One problem I see with your writing is that it's passive. You can see that in the way you've phrased your question.

For instance, you wrote:

This is the sentence that I wrote:

instead of:

I wrote this sentence:

Or this:

The "borders" that I mentioned in the statement reflects some of the earlier references in the paragraph.

which could be:

The "borders" reflect some of the earlier references in the paragraph.

Write more directly to you audience. Don't be afraid to state what you're going to state. Your writing will be cleaner, tighter and clearer if you avoid the passive voice.


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The problem is actually with "back and forth." That's because back is the return, but in the idiom it's placed before forth, which is the "going out" part. If you use take over and bring back, you'll eliminate some of the confusion. Streamline it and cut some of the figurative fluff.

You want something more like:

The displayed works will take the viewers on a journey past the borders of the physical into the realm of the virtual, and then back again.


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I agree that this sentence structure has some problems. I really don't think it conveys the message you intended, or at least not very well. Here are a couple of suggestions on ways to improve it.

The displayed works will carry viewers on a journey from the physical world into a virtual realm and back.

The first example is simple and to the point. However, if you feel the need to mention the dividing border, then you can consider something like this:

The displayed works will carry viewers on a journey from the physical world into a virtual realm and back, transporting them back and forth across the dividing boundary that separates the two planes of existence.

I'm not sure what you mean by "displayed works." Is this a book, a collection of stories, or what? You may want to simplify/clarify that a little better as well.


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