Without "I"

This page explains how to make writing more varied by avoiding starting every sentence with "I".

1. Use passive voice of object-first sentences

Instead of always beginning with "I", we can start with the action, result, or object. In many contexts, readers will naturally infer that you are the writer even when "I" is not used.

I baked a cake. I decorated it with chocolate. I shared it with my friends.

A cake was baked and decorated with chocolate before being shared with friends.

I wrote the report. I submitted it yesterday.

The report was written and submitted yesterday.

I cleaned the room. I organized the desk.

The room was cleaned, and the desk was organized.

2. Combine sentences with clauses

We can connect multiple thoughts in one sentence using conjunctions or relative claues.

I went to the park. I saw many birds. I took pictures.

While visiting the park, I saw many birst and took pictures of them.

I opened the file. I found an error. I fixed it quickly.

After opening the file, an error was found and quickly fixed.

I met a designer. I liked her portfolio. I hired her.

Meeting a designer whose portfoilo stood out led to a hiring decision.

3. Start sentences with time, place, or condition

Try starting with a time expression, place, or codition.

I work up early. I made breakfast. I went for a walk.

After waking up early, I prepared breakfast and went for a walk.

I arrived at the office. I checked my email. I joined the meeting.

Upon arriving at the office, emails were checked before the meeting began.

I finish my work. I go to the gym.

After finishing work, a trip to the gym follows.

4. Use impersonal or general statements

By generalizing the statement, the sentence can be started without "I".

I think learning English is important. I try to practice every day.

Learning English is important, and daily practice helps improve skills.

I believe this approach is better. I use it in most projects.

This approach is often more effective and works well in most projects.

I feel stressed when I miss deadlines.

Missing deadlines can be stressful.

5. Use participial phrases or gerunds

A participial phrase (verb + ing) at the start of a sentence can help.

I studied all night. I finally finished the project.

Sutdying all night, I finally finished the project.

I reviewed the data. I discovered several issues.

Reviewing the data, several issues became clear.

I walked through the city. I took many photos.

Walking through the city, many photos were taken.

6. Turn actions into nouns (nominalization)

Convert verbs into nouns to remove the subject.

I decided to cnacel the event.

The decision was made to cancel the event.

I analyzed the results carefully.

Careful analysis of the results revealed key patterns.


Practice

Using fewer "I"s helps writing flow better and feel less self-focused, though it can sometimes sound stiff if overused.

I started the project late. I felt rushed. I made several mistakes. I fixed them before the deadline.

Starting the project late created a sense of urgency. Several mistkes were made but corrected before the deadline.

I want to reduce repetitive use of I. I created this page to explain how to write better. I hope readers can learn how to avoid using "I" in every sentence. I think this will make writing more natural and interesting.

Reducing the repetitive use of "I" can make writing flow more naturally. This page shows how to improve sentences without starting each one with "I". By following a few simple strategies, writing becomes more varied and interesting for readers.

I work up late. I skipped breakfast. I rushed out of the house. I almost missed the bus. I finally got to class on time.

Walking up late led to skipping breakfast and rushing out of the house. After nearly missing the bus, class was reached just in time.

I walked through the park. I saw a do chasing a ball. I stopped to watch. I took a few photos. I smiled the whole way home.

Walking through the park, a dog chasing a ball caught attention. After stopping to watch and talking a few photos, the walk home was filled with smiles.

I started the project late. I felt overwhelmed at first. I reviewed the requirements again. I realized I had misunderstood several parts. I fixed the structure. I rewrote the introduction. I submitted the final version before the deadline.

Starting the project late created initial pressure. After reviewing the requirements again, several misunderstandings became clear. The structure was corrected, the introduction was rewritten, and the final version was submitted before the deadline.

I arrived at the conference early. I checked the schedule. I noticed that my session had been removed. I adjusted my slides. I practiced the opening again. I felt more confident by the time the talk began.

Upon arriving at the conference early, the scheudle was checked and a session change was noticed. After adjusting the slides and rehearsing the opening once more, greater confidence was felt by the time the talk began.

I tested the application on several devices. I found performance issues on older hardware. I optimized the rendering code. I reduced memory usage. I confirmed that everything worked smoothly afterward.

Testing the application across multiple devices revealed performance issues on older hardware. After optimizing the rendering code and reducing memory usage, smooth operation was confirmed.

I went to the park with my sister. She brought a book. He brought a camera. They walked ahead while I stayed behind to take photos. I caught up later, and we sat on the grass together.

Going to the park with my sister, she brought a book and he carried a camera. While they walked ahead, a few photos were taken. Catching up later, we sat on the grass together.