Combining Sentences When is it a good idea to combine sentences?
How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases Coordinating ideas Compound subjects, verbs, and objects Compound sentences Subordinating ideas Review A Review B When is it a good idea to combine sentences?
Too much of the same thing can be boring. Too many short, choppy sentences in your writing can put your reader to sleep. When is it a good idea to combine sentences?
Look for ways to combine sentences when consecutive sentences have the same subject and verb The Titanic was the largest ship of its time. The Titanic was also the most luxurious ship of its time. The Titanic was on its maiden voyage. your sentences have the same word order, pattern, or rhythm The accident happened at night. The night was clear and cold. The date was April 14, 1912. The accident happened at night. The night was clear and cold. The date was April 14, 1912. The accident happened at night. The night was clear and cold. The date was April 14, 1912. When is it a good idea to combine sentences?
Do these sentences hold your attention? The sinking of the Titanic was a maritime disaster. It was one of the worst in history. The Titanic was the largest ship of its time. It was also the most luxurious ship. The Titanic was on its maiden voyage. The ship struck an iceberg. The iceberg was near Newfoundland. The accident happened on April 14, The night was clear and cold. The sinking of the Titanic, the largest and most luxurious ship of its time, was one of the worst maritime disasters in history. On the clear, cold night of April 14, 1912, the ship, which was on its maiden voyage, struck an iceberg near Newfoundland. Sentence combining makes the paragraph shorter, more precise, and more interesting. [End of Section] How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
Combine short sentences by taking a key word from one sentence and inserting it into the other. key word Magicians guard the secrets of their tricks. Magicians closely guard the secrets of their tricks. They guard their secrets closely. closely You may have to change the form of the word. Houdini performed Houdini performed impossible escapes. seemingly impossible escapes. The escapes only seemed impossible. seemingly seemed How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
When changing the form of a word, you often add an ending that makes the word an adjective or an adverb. Grammar Guy Says... VERB ADVERB seemed seemingly NOUN ADJECTIVE culture cultural How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
You can also combine sentences by inserting a phrase from one sentence into another. Prepositional Phrase The trees were bent nearly double. They were bent in the wind The trees were bent nearly double in the wind. in the wind. Participial Phrase I was puzzled by her behavior. I asked her to explain. puzzled by her behavior Puzzled by her behavior, I asked her to explain. How to combine sentences Prepositional phrases
A prepositional phrase contains a preposition a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition) any modifiers of the object behind door the mysterious door How to combine sentences Participial phrases
A participial phrase contains a verb form usually ending in ing or ed a noun, pronoun, or adjective (complement of the participle) any modifiers preparing dinner for their friends How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
You can also combine sentences by inserting a phrase from one sentence into another. Absolute Phrases The wind The wind started gusting. Constance returned home. gusting The wind gusting, Constance returned home. Appositive Phrases Calligraphy, Calligraphy is an elegant form of handwriting. It requires a special pen or brush. an elegant form of handwriting, an elegant form of handwriting requires a special pen or brush. How to combine sentences Absolute phrases
An absolute phrase contains a participle or participial phrase a noun or pronoun that the participle or participial phrase modifies any other modifiers of that noun or pronoun secure knots having been tied having been tied knots having been tied How to combine sentences Absolute phrases
An absolute phrase has no grammatical relationship to any particular word in the independent clause it modifies. It modifies the entire independent clause by telling when, how, or why. Grammar Guy Says... The absolute phrase tells how the geese rose from the pond. [ Wings flapping furiously, the flock of geese rose from the pond. ] How to combine sentences Appositive phrases
An appositive is a word that identifies a nearby noun or pronoun. The cowboys horse reared and snorted. The cowboys horse, Ranger, reared and snorted. An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and its modifiers. The cowboys horse, a nervous young stallion, reared and snorted. How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
Combine the following short sentences by inserting the italicized word or phrase into the first sentence. Add commas where necessary. Hints in parentheses tell how to change word forms. 1.The surgeon performed the operation. She was a skillful surgeon. 2.The children went down the slide. They took turns. (Change took to taking.) 3.This city has a famous cathedral. The city is the capital of the country. How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
Combine the following short sentences by inserting the italicized word or phrase into the first sentence. Add commas where necessary. Hints in parentheses tell how to change word forms. 1.The skillful surgeon performed the operation. The sentences have been combined so that the adjective skillful modifies surgeon. How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
Combine the following short sentences by inserting the italicized word or phrase into the first sentence. Add commas where necessary. Hints in parentheses tell how to change word forms. Possible Answer 2.Taking turns, the children went down the slide. The sentences have been combined so that the participial phrase taking turns modifies children. How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
Combine the following short sentences by inserting the italicized word or phrase into the first sentence. Add commas where necessary. Hints in parentheses tell how to change word forms. Possible Answer 3.This city, the capital of the country, has a famous cathedral. The sentences have been combined so that the appositive phrase the capital of the country modifies city. How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
On Your Own Combine each pair of sentences by inserting words or phrases. Some sentences may be combined in different ways. Hints in parentheses indicate changes to word forms. 1. Natalie opened the trunk slowly. The trunk was antique. 2.She moved some papers aside. She peered deeper into the trunk. (Change moved to moving.) 3.She found the photographs. They were at the bottom of the trunk. 4.Natalie lifted the top photograph. She lifted it with care. (Change care to carefully.) [End of Section] How to combine sentences Inserting words and phrases
Possible Answers Combine each pair of sentences by inserting words or phrases. Some sentences may be combined in different ways. Hints in parentheses indicate changes to word forms. 1. Natalie opened the antique trunk slowly. 2.Moving some papers aside, she peered deeper into the trunk. 3.She found the photographs at the bottom of the trunk. 4.Carefully Natalie lifted the top photograph. How to combine sentences Coordinating ideas
You can also join equally important words, phrases, and clauses by using coordinating conjunctions or correlative conjunctions. words, phrases, clauses This bike needs brakes. This bike needs brakes. This bike needs brakes and a taillight. It needs a taillight. It needs a taillight. We saw the surface of the moon and the rings of Saturn. We saw the surface of the moon. We saw the surface of the moon. We also saw the rings of Saturn. We also saw the rings of Saturn. Kris liked the jacket, but it was too expensive. Kris liked the jacket. Kris liked the jacket. It was too expensive. It was too expensive. How to combine sentences Coordinating conjunctions
and but or nor for yet so A coordinating conjunction joins words or groups of words that are used in the same way. Correlative Conjunctions
How to combine sentencesCorrelative conjunctions Correlative Conjunctions both and either or neither nor not only but also whether or Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that join words or groups of words that are used in the same way. How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
You can combine sentences by making compound subjects, verbs, direct objects, or indirect objects. Step 1. Look for sentences that have the same subject, verb, or object. He plays basketball. He plays basketball. Same subject He likes baseball more. He likes baseball more. Nick sings well. Nick sings well. Same verb Sharon sings well. Sharon sings well. I like grapefruit. I like grapefruit. Same object Matt likes grapefruit. Matt likes grapefruit. How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
Step 2. Join the verbs, subjects, or objects of the two sentences with a coordinating conjunction or a correlative conjunction. IF He plays basketball. the subjects arethe same, He enjoys baseball more. THEN keep the subject and join the verbs. He plays basketball but enjoys baseball more. How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
Step 2. Join the verbs, subjects, or objects of the two sentences with a coordinating conjunction or a correlative conjunction. IF Nick sings well. the verbs arethe same, Sharon sings well. THEN keep the verb and join the subjects. Both Nick and Sharon sing well. How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
Step 2. Join the verbs, subjects, or objects of the two sentences with a coordinating conjunction or a correlative conjunction. IF the objects arethe same and verbs are the same, I like grapefruit. Matt likes grapefruit. THEN keep the object and the verb and join the subjects. Matt and I like grapefruit. How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
Combine the sentences by forming a compound subject, compound verb, or compound object. Be prepared to explain your answers. 1.Juan works after school. Kinesha also works after school. 2.Mrs. Braxton could sponsor the class trip. Mrs. Braxton could recruit parents to help. 3.Karen brought the cake to the party. Karen also brought the candles. How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
Combine the sentences by forming a compound subject, compound verb, or compound object. Be prepared to explain your answers. 1.Juan and Kinesha work after school. Since the two original sentences have the same verb, the combined sentence has a compound subject. The verb work is now plural. How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
Combine the sentences by forming a compound subject, compound verb, or compound object. Be prepared to explain your answers. 2.Mrs. Braxton could sponsor the class trip or recruit parents to help. Since the two original sentences have the same subject, the combined sentence has a compound verb. The conjunction or expresses a choice between two possibilities. How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
Combine the sentences by forming a compound subject, compound verb, or compound object. Be prepared to explain your answers. 3.Karen brought the cake and the candles to the party. Since the two original sentences have the same subject and the same verb, the combined sentence has a compound object. How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
On Your Own Combine each pair of sentences by forming a compound subject, a compound verb, or a compound object. 1. Apples grow on trees. Peaches grow on trees. 2.My cat enjoys music. My cat does not like loud noises. 3.Stan could write the letter. Alternatively, Frank could write the letter. I will finish my paper tonight. I will finish my project, too. 5.Ann went to bed early. Ann could not fall asleep. [End of Section] How to combine sentences Compound subjects, verbs, and objects
Possible Answers Combine each pair of sentences by forming a compound subject, a compound verb, or a compound object. 1. Apples and peaches grow on trees. 2.My cat enjoys music but does not like loud noises. 3.Either Stan or Frank could write the letter. I will finish my paper and my project tonight. Ann went to bed early but could not fall asleep. How to combine sentences Compound sentences
If two sentences are related and equally important, you can form a compound sentence. A compound sentence is made by joining the two sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon or a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb The phone rang; however, no one answered it. The phone rang; no one answered it. The phone rang. The phone rang, but no one answered it. No one answered it. How to combine sentences Conjunctive adverbs
Common Conjunctive Adverbs also however meanwhile still besides instead nevertheless then consequently likewise otherwise therefore A conjunctive adverb shows how ideas relate to one another. It expresses a relationship between two independent clauses. How to combine sentences Compound sentences
Notice the difference between a compound subject or verb and a compound sentence. Grammar Guy Says... In a compound sentence, each half of the sentence has its own subject and its own verb. Subject Verb Subject Verb The phone rang, but no one answered. The phone rang, but no one answered. The phone rang, but no one answered. How to combine sentences Compound sentences
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences by forming a compound sentence. Be prepared to explain your answers. 1.It was hot in the sun. We went to sit in the shade. 2.Marta stayed up too late. She feels tired this morning. 3.Owning a dog is a big responsibility. A dog needs a lot of care and attention. How to combine sentences Compound sentences
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences by forming a compound sentence. Be prepared to explain your answers. Possible Answer 1.It was hot in the sun, so we went to sit in the shade. The conjunction so relates two equally important ideas by showing that one idea is a result of the other. How to combine sentences Compound sentences
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences by forming a compound sentence. Be prepared to explain your answers. Possible Answer 2.Marta stayed up too late; consequently, she feels tired this morning. The semicolon shows that the two ideas are closely related. The conjunctive adverb consequently indicates cause and effect. How to combine sentences Compound sentences
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences by forming a compound sentence. Be prepared to explain your answers. Possible Answer 3.Owning a dog is a big responsibility; a dog needs a lot of care and attention. The semicolon shows that the two ideas are closely related. How to combine sentences Compound sentences
On Your Own Combine each pair of sentences by forming a compound sentence. 1. I cant go to practice today. Ill be there tomorrow. 2.We could go to an early movie. We could eat dinner first and go to a later show. 3.Clouds covered the moon. He could not see the trail. 4.Our house is easy to find. Its right on the corner. 5.Everyone had a test that day. We postponed the meeting for a week. [End of Section] How to combine sentences Compound sentences
Possible Answers Combine each pair of sentences by forming a compound sentence. 1. I cant go to practice today, but Ill be there tomorrow. 2.We could go to an early movie, or we could eat dinner first and go to a later show. 3.Clouds covered the moon, so he could not see the trail. 4.Our house is easy to find; its right on the corner. 5.Everyone had a test that day; therefore, we postponed the meeting for a week. How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
When two related sentences contain ideas of unequal importance, you can make one idea subordinate to the other in a complex sentence. Independent Clause Independent Clause The band played. The whole team left the field. Independent Clause Subordinate Clause The band played while the whole team left the field. Subordinate Clause Independent Clause While the band played, the whole team left the field. How to combine sentences Complex sentences
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Independent Clause Subordinate Clause Have you practiced the speech that you will give? Have you practiced the speech that you will give? Have you practiced the speech that you will give? Subordinate Clause Independent Clause Whenever I have spare time, I practice my speech. Whenever I have spare time, I practice my speech. Whenever I have spare time, I practice my speech. How to combine sentences Independent clauses
An independent clause (or main clause) expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence. An independent clause has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Subject Verb The hurricane howled. The hurricane howled. The hurricane howled. Subject Verb The dog barked every night for a week. The dog barked every night for a week. The dog barked every night for a week. How to combine sentences Subordinate clauses
A subordinate clause (or dependent clause) does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a sentence. A subordinate clause has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. Subject whenever I have spare time whenever I have spare time whenever I have spare time Verb What happens whenever I have spare time? How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
There are three types of subordinate clauses: adjective, adverb, and noun clauses. Each type can replace an ordinary adjective, adverb, or noun. Adjective Clause Adjective We invited We invited students new students. who are new. Adverb Clause Adverb He awakened when the alarm went off. early. Noun Clause Noun She explained her idea. what was on her mind. How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
Make one sentence into an adjective clause by replacing the subject with who, which, or that. The lighthouse is perched on a cliff. which ^ It has stood for more than a century. Then use the adjective clause to provide information about a preceding noun or pronoun. The lighthouse, which has stood for more than a century, is perched on a cliff. How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
If an adjective clause is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, set it off with commas. If it is essential, no commas are necessary. Grammar Guy Says... Not essential The lighthouse, which is more than a century old, is perched on a cliff. Essential Is this lighthouse the one that is more than a century old? How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
Turn one sentence into an adverb clause by adding a subordinating conjunction, such as after, although, because, if, when, or where. I didnt really understand the movie until I finished the book. I didnt really understand the movie. I finished the book. If the adverb clause begins a sentence, place a comma after it. Until I finished the book, I didnt really understand the movie. How to combine sentences Subordinating conjunctions
Common Subordinating Conjunctions as before since when as if if so that whenever as long as once unless while A subordinating conjunction shows a relationship between an adverb clause and the word(s) that it modifies. For example, before, once, since, when, and while indicate time. How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
Turn a sentence into a noun clause by adding a word like that, how, what, who, or whoever to the beginning of the sentence. Noun clause The doctor told him. that he had broken his wrist. He had broken his wrist. Insert the clause into another sentence just as you would an ordinary noun. Ordinary noun The doctor told him the results. Noun clause The doctor told him that the results showed he had a broken wrist. How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
When you place the noun clause in another sentence, you may have to change or remove some words. Grammar Guy Says... That ^ Three inches of rain fell yesterday. That three inches of rain fell yesterday does not mean the drought is over. This does not mean the drought is over. How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
Combine the following short sentences by turning one of the sentences into an adjective clause, adverb clause, or noun clause, as indicated in parentheses. 1.The man lives in this apartment building. He drives our bus. (adjective clause) 2.I print out my final draft. I will proofread it. (adverb clause) 3.The players were notified. The game had been cancelled. (noun clause) How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
Combine the following short sentences by turning one of the sentences into an adjective clause, adverb clause, or noun clause, as indicated in parentheses. Possible Answer 1.The man who drives our bus lives in this apartment building. The sentences have been combined so that the clause who drives our bus modifies the noun man. How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
Combine the following short sentences by turning one of the sentences into an adjective clause, adverb clause, or noun clause, as indicated in parentheses. Possible Answer 2.Before I print out my final draft, I will proofread it. The sentences have been combined so that the clause before I print out my final draft modifies will proofread. How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
Combine the following short sentences by turning one of the sentences into an adjective clause, adverb clause, or noun clause, as indicated in parentheses. Possible Answer 3.The players were notified that the game had been canceled. The sentences have been combined so that the clause that the game had been canceled is the direct object of the sentence. How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
On Your Own Combine each pair of sentences by turning one sentence into an adjective clause, adverb clause, or noun clause, as indicated in parentheses. 1. Someone ate the eggs. I was saving them for the cookies. (adjective clause) 2.We ate dinner. After that, we went to a movie. (adverb clause) 3.You said. I could borrow your book tonight. (noun clause) The girl is running for student body president. She sits behind me in class.(adjective clause) [End of Section] How to combine sentences Subordinating ideas
Possible Answers Combine each pair of sentences by turning one sentence into an adjective clause, adverb clause, or noun clause, as indicated in parentheses. 1. Someone ate the eggs that I was saving for the cookies. 2.After we ate dinner, we went to a movie. 3.You said that I could borrow your book tonight. 4. The girl who sits behind me in class is running for student body president. Review A Using all the sentence-combining skills you have learned, combine each of the following pairs of sentences. The child gave a shout. The shout was joyful. Carter knew. He should have studied for the exam. Erin began the discussion. Erin is a skilled debater. Steam rose from the pan of water. The water had just begun to boil. 5.The wood was wet from the rain. We couldnt get the fire started. [End of Section] Review A Possible Answers Using allthe sentence-combining skills you have learned, combine each of the following pairs of sentences. The child gave a joyful shout. Carter knew that he should have studied for the exam. Erin, a skilled debater, began the discussion. Steam rose from the pan of water, which had just begun to boil. 5.The wood was wet from the rain; consequently, we couldnt get the fire started. Review B Using all the sentence-combining skills you have learned, revise and rewrite the following paragraph without changing its original meaning. The Japanese comics are called manga. Manga look like American comics. They have panels and word balloons. Manga were also influenced by American animated movies. That was after World War II. Now manga appear first in magazines. Later they are collected into books. Many readers think manga are like novels. Reading manga is like reading novels. Reading manga is also like watching movies. [End of Section] Review B Using all the sentence-combining skills you have learned, revise and rewrite the following paragraph without changing its original meaning. Possible Answer Like American comics, the Japanese comics called manga have panels and word balloons. After World War II, manga were also influenced by American animated movies. Now manga appear first in magazines but are later collected into books. Many readers think reading manga is like reading novels or watching movies. The End