See how often you reuse the same first word (or first two words) across sentences. Surfaces monotonous prose where every sentence starts with "The" or "I".
Use the sentence beginnings analyzer when editing fiction, narrative essays, or any prose that should read with rhythm. Common targets: catch over-use of "I", "The", "This", "It" at the start of consecutive sentences.
Sentence Length Variety measures rhythm by length; Sentence Beginnings Variety measures it by lexical patterns. Use both for a complete rhythm audit.
The analyzer takes the first word (or first two words) of every sentence and counts the frequency.
A variety score (unique openings / total sentences) summarizes the pattern — above 75% is varied, below 50% is monotonous.
It flags any opening word that dominates more than 25% of sentences as a likely revision target.
Group-by-1 catches single-word patterns (every sentence starting with "The"). Group-by-2 catches phrasal openings ("In the beginning"…).
Above 75% unique openings for engaging prose. Below 50% reads as monotonous.
Deliberate anaphora ("I have a dream… I have a dream…") and step-by-step lists ("First… Second… Third…") are exceptions.
Input
"The cat sat. The dog ran. The bird flew. The fish swam."
Output
"The" opens 4/4 sentences (100%) — monotonous.
Every sentence opens identically. Variety could be added: "The cat sat. A dog ran by. Above, a bird flew. Below, fish swam."
% content words vs. function words.
analysisVocabulary variety — type‑token ratio.
analysisTotal + per‑word syllable counts.
analysisHighlight passive sentences in your writing.