Combining Sentences

1
Combining Sentences
When should you combine sentences? How to
combine sentences Inserting words and
phrases Using compound subjects and
verbs Creating compound sentences Creating
complex sentences Review A Review B
2
When should you combine sentences?
Too much of the same thing can be boring.
Imagine eating the same thing for lunch
day...
after day...
after day...
3
When should you combine sentences?
Reading the same type of sentence over and over
again can also be boring.
Notice how too many short sentences make this
paragraph boring to read.
Now, see how sentence combining makes the
paragraph shorter and more interesting.
A geyser is a spring. A geyser shoots hot water.
It shoots water into the air with great force.
Some geysers erupt continually. Some remain
dormant for long periods.
A geyser is a spring that shoots hot water into
the air with great force. While some geysers
erupt continually, some remain dormant for long
periods.
End of Section
4
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
Edgar Allan Poe led a short life. His life was
tragic.
tragic.
Edgar Allan Poe led a short,
tragic
life.
You may have to change the form of the word.
Poe wrote strange stories. He wrote horror
stories.
Poe wrote strange,
horrifying
horrifying
stories.
horror
5
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 Gal Says...
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
horror
horrifying
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
calm
calmly
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How to combine sentences Inserting words and
phrases
You can also combine sentences by inserting a
phrase from one sentence into another.

• Prepositional Phrase

This car can park easily. It can park in tight
spaces.
in tight spaces.
This car can park easily
in tight spaces.

• Participial Phrase

Sam swung the bat. He was focusing on the ball.
focusing on the ball.
Focusing on the ball,
Sam swung the bat.

• Appositive Phrase

There we met Chula. Chula is Sandras dog.
Sandras dog.
There we met Chula,
Sandras dog.
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How to combine sentences Prepositional phrase
A prepositional phrase contains

• a preposition

• a noun or pronoun
• object of the preposition

• any modifiers of the object

beneath
leaves
leaves
the beautiful fall
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How to combine sentences Participial phrase
A participial phrase contains

• a verb form usually ending in ing or ed

• a noun, pronoun, or adjective
• complement of the participle

• any modifiers

feeling
confident
in himself
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How to combine sentences Appositive phrase
An appositive is a word that identifies a nearby
noun or pronoun.
I gave my mother flowers for her birthday.
I gave my mother flowers, tulips, for her
birthday.
An appositive phrase consists of an appositive
and its modifiers.
I gave my mother flowers, a dozen pink tulips,
for her birthday.
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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. Plants are used to make products. These
products are beauty products.
2. Malik ran toward the goal. His pace was quick.
(Change quick to quickly.)
3. Migrant workers move constantly. They search
for work. (Change search to searching.)
11
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. Plants are used to make beauty products.
The sentences have been combined so that the word
beauty modifies products.
12
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. Malik ran quickly toward the goal.
The sentences have been combined so that the word
quickly modifies ran.
13
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. Searching for work, migrant workers move
constantly.
The sentences have been combined so that the
phrase Searching for work modifies workers.
14
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. Squirrels climbed up
and down the tree. The tree was old. 2. The docks
are at the end of a road. The road curves.
(Change curves to curving.) 3. Amy just got
braces. Amy is a friend of mine. 4. Book three
tells of the heroes return. Book three
completes the series. (Change complete to
completing.)
End of Section
15
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. Squirrels climbed up and down the old tree.
2. The docks are at the end of a curving road.
3. Amy, a friend of mine, just got braces.
4. Completing the series, book three tells of the
heroes return.
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How to combine sentences Using compound subjects
and verbs
You can also combine sentences by making compound
subjects and verbs.
Step 1. Look for sentences that have the same
subject or the same verb.
Ice reduces swelling.
Ice reduces swelling.
SAME SUBJECT COMPOUND VERB
Ice relieves pain.
Ice relieves pain.
Jaguars have spots.
Jaguars have spots.
SAME VERB COMPOUND SUBJECT
Leopards have spots.
Leopards have spots.
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How to combine sentences Using compound subjects
and verbs
Step 2. Join the verbs or subjects of the two
sentences with a coordinating conjunction such as
and, or, or but.
IF
THEN
Subjects are the same
Keep the subject and join the verbs
Ice reduces swelling.
Ice relieves pain.
Ice reduces swelling and relieves pain.
Verbs are the same
Keep the verb and join the subjects
Jaguars have spots.
Leopards have spots.
Jaguars and leopards have spots.
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How to combine sentences Coordinating
conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating Conjunctions 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.
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How to combine sentences Using compound subjects
and verbs
Combine the following short sentences by forming
a compound subject or a compound verb. Be
prepared to explain your answers.
1. Bananas are a tropical fruit. Coconuts are
also a tropical fruit.
2. Ben had planned to be here. Ben later changed
his mind.
3. Vince could design the banner. Otherwise, Lan
could design it.
20
How to combine sentences Using compound subjects
and verbs
Combine the following short sentences by forming
a compound subject or a compound verb. Be
prepared to explain your answers.
1. Bananas and coconuts are tropical fruits.
Since both sentences had the same verb, the
combined sentence has a compound subject. Fruits
is plural since the sentence is now about more
than one kind of fruit.
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How to combine sentences Using compound subjects
and verbs
Combine the following short sentences by forming
a compound subject or a compound verb. Be
prepared to explain your answers.
2. Ben had planned to be here but later changed
his mind.
Since both sentences had the same subject, the
combined sentence has a compound verb. The
conjunction but expresses a contrast in ideas.
22
How to combine sentences Using compound subjects
and verbs
Combine the following short sentences by forming
a compound subject or a compound verb. Be
prepared to explain your answers.
3. Vince or Lan could design the banner.
Since both sentences have the same verb, the
combined sentence has a compound subject. The
conjunction or shows a choice between two
possibilities.
23
How to combine sentences Using compound subjects
and verbs
On Your Own

• Combine each pair of sentences by forming a
  compound subject or a compound verb.
• 1. Plastic can be recycled. Paper can be
  recycled.
• 2. Glaciers move slowly. Glaciers shape the land.
• 3. A temple may have stood here once. A
  storehouse may have stood here.
• Cranes nest near the lake. Other birds nest
  there, too.
• 5. The skier jumped far. He failed to beat the
  record.

End of Section
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How to combine sentences Using compound subjects
and verbs
Possible Answers
Combine each pair of sentences by forming a
compound subject or a compound verb.
1. Plastic and paper can be recycled.
2. Glaciers move slowly and shape the land.
3. A temple or a storehouse stood here once.
4. Cranes and other birds nest near the lake.
5. The skier jumped far but failed to beat the
record.
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How to combine sentences Creating compound
sentences
If the 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

• a semicolon

OR

• a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb

We went there.
They came here.
We went there, but they came here.
We went there they came here.
We went there however, they came here.
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How to combine sentences Conjunctive adverbs
Common Conjunctive Adverbs Common Conjunctive Adverbs Common 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
each other. It expresses a relationship between
two independent clauses.
27
How to combine sentences Creating compound
sentences
Notice the difference between a compound subject
or verb and a compound sentence.
Grammar Gal Says...
In a compound sentence, each half of the sentence
has its own subject and its own verb.
Subject
Verb
Subject
Verb
We went there, but they came here.
We went there, but they came here.
We went there, but they came here.
28
How to combine sentences Creating compound
sentences
Combine the following short sentences by forming
a compound sentence. Be prepared to explain your
answers.
1. The storm began with heavy rain. Hail fell
soon after.
2. A majority of U.S. residents were born here.
One out of every ten is an immigrant.
3. The newly discovered animal has a pouch. It
may be related to the kangaroo.
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How to combine sentences Creating compound
sentences
Combine the following short sentences by forming
a compound sentence. Be prepared to explain your
answers.
Possible Answer
1. The storm began with heavy rain, and hail fell
soon after.
The conjunction and shows that the two ideas are
related and equal in importance.
30
How to combine sentences Creating compound
sentences
Combine the following short sentences by forming
a compound sentence. Be prepared to explain your
answers.
Possible Answer
2. A majority of U.S. residents were born here,
but one out of every ten is an immigrant.
The conjunction but shows that the two ideas
contrast.
31
How to combine sentences Creating compound
sentences
Combine the following short sentences by forming
a compound sentence. Be prepared to explain your
answers.
Possible Answer
3. The newly discovered animal has a pouch
therefore, it may be related to the kangaroo.
The semicolon shows that the two ideas are
closely related. The conjunctive adverb therefore
indicates cause and effect.
32
How to combine sentences Creating compound
sentences
On Your Own
Combine each pair of sentences by forming a
compound sentence. 1. Clients drop off scrap
metal. Workers sort it into piles. 2. Adults must
buy a ticket. Children get in free. 3. We already
have milk. Buy just a half gallon. 4. I am not
afraid of snakes. I used to keep one as a
pet. 5. A French company began building the
Panama Canal in 1881. The U.S. took over
construction in 1903.
End of Section
33
How to combine sentences Creating compound
sentences
Possible Answers
Combine each pair of sentences by forming a
compound sentence.
1. Clients drop off scrap metal, and workers
sort it into piles.
2. Adults must buy a ticket, but children get in
free.
3. We already have milk, so buy just a half
gallon.
4. I am not afraid of snakes I used to keep one
as a pet.
5. A French company began building the Panama
Canal in 1881 however, the U.S. took over
construction in 1903.
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How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Another way to combine sentences is to form a
complex sentence.
A complex sentence contains one independent
clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
Independent Clause
Subordinate Clause
The audience clapped
until the entire choir had left.
35
How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Complex sentences can be reversible. Notice the
addition of the comma after the subordinate
clause.
Subordinate Clause
Independent Clause
the audience clapped.
Until the entire choir had left,
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How to combine sentences Independent clause
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 audience clapped.
The audience clapped.
The audience clapped.
Verb
Subject
The Littles had too few chairs for all the guests.
The Littles had too few chairs for all the guests.
The Littles had too few chairs for all the guests.
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How to combine sentences Subordinate clause
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 expresses a complete thought.
 IIC0066B.jpg
Subject
Verb
until the entire choir had left
until the entire choir had left
until the entire choir had left
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How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
There are three types of subordinate clauses
adjective, adverb, and noun clauses. Each type
can replace an ordinary adjective, adverb, or
noun.

• Adjective

• Adjective Clause

Gili wants the
blue
bicycle.
Gili wants the bicycle
that is blue.

• Adverb

• Adverb Clause

I read the newspaper
daily.
as I eat breakfast.

• Noun

• Noun Clause

who committed the crime.
The detective revealed
the culprit.
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How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Heres another way to think about clauses.
Grammar Gal Says...
An adverbial clause (or phrase) answers the same
questions that adverbs answerwhen? where? why?
how often? to what extent? in what manner?
A noun clause (or phrase) can be replaced by the
words something or someone.
An adjective clause (or phrase) answers the same
questions that adjectives answerwhich one? what
kind? how many?
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How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Make one sentence into an adjective clause by
replacing the subject with who, which, or that.
which
Many people fear bats.
They are usually harmless.

Then, use the adjective clause to provide
information about a noun or pronoun that has come
before.
Many people fear bats, which are usuallyharmless.
41
How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
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 Gal Says...
Many people fear bats, which are usually harmless.
NOTESSENTIAL
Are these the bats that are usually harmless or
the dangerous ones?
ESSENTIAL
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How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Turn one sentence into an adverb clause by adding
a subordinating conjunction such as after,
although, because, if, when, or where.
I called.
I received your message.
I called before I received your message.
If the adverb clause begins a sentence, follow
the clause with a comma.
Before I received your message, I called.
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How to combine sentences Subordinating
conjunction
Common Subordinating Conjunctions Common Subordinating Conjunctions Common 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.
44
How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Turn a sentence into a noun clause by adding a
word like that, how, what, who, or whoever to the
beginning of the sentence.
The coach told him.
He had advanced to the finals.
that he had advanced to the finals.
The coach told him
Insert the clause into another sentence just as
you would an ordinary noun.
ORDINARYNOUN
The coach told him the news.
NOUNCLAUSE
The coach told him that he had advanced to the
finals.
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How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
When you place the noun clause in another
sentence, you may have to change or remove some
words.
Grammar Gal Says...
That
Dracula is such a frightening character.
That Dracula is such a frightening character does
not help the bats reputation.
This does not help the bats reputation.
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How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Combine the following short sentences by turning
the second sentence into an adjective, adverb, or
noun clause, as indicated in parentheses.
1. Vera keeps all the cards. People send them to
her. (adjective clause)
2. It rained during the fireworks. They still had
a good time. (adverb clause)
3. Return this backpack. Return it to the person
who left it. (noun clause)
47
How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Combine the following short sentences by turning
the second sentence into an adjective, adverb, or
noun clause, as indicated in parentheses.
Possible Answer
1. Vera keeps all the cards that people send to
her.
The sentences have been combined so that the
clause that people send to her modifies cards.
48
How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Combine the following short sentences by turning
the second sentence into an adjective, adverb, or
noun clause, as indicated in parentheses.
Possible Answer
2. Although it rained during the fireworks, they
still had a good time.
The sentences have been combined so that the
clause although it rained during the fireworks
modifies had.
49
How to combine sentences Creating complex
sentences
Combine the following short sentences by turning
the second sentence into an adjective, adverb, or
noun clause, as indicated in parentheses.
Possible Answer
3. Return this backpack to whoever left it.
The sentences have been combined so that the
clause whoever left it acts as the object of the
preposition.
50
How to combine sentencesCreating complex
sentences
On Your Own

• Combine each pair of sentences by turning one
  sentence into an adjective, adverb, or noun
  clause, as indicated in parentheses.
• 1. This glue is like spider silk. Spider silk is
  very strong. (adjective clause)
• 2. The bridge was built. Before then, drivers had
  to take a ferry. (adverb clause)
• 3. We hope. You will visit us again. (noun
  clause)
• The coin is very rare. I am holding the coin.
  (adjective clause).

End of Section
51
How to combine sentencesCreating complex
sentences
Possible Answers
Combine each pair of sentences by turning one
sentence into an adjective, adverb, or noun
clause, as indicated in parentheses.
1. This glue is like spider silk, which is very
strong.
2. Before the bridge was built, drivers had to
take a ferry.
3. We hope that you will visit us again.
4. The coin that I am holding is very rare.
52
Review A
Using all of the sentence-combining skills you
have learned, combine each of the following pairs
of sentences.

1. The large bird gave a cry. Its cry was noisy.

1. We found out. People have painted for thousands
   of years.

1. Daryl led the national anthem. Daryl is a trained
   singer.

1. Drops of rain fell into the fire. The fire let
   out clouds of steam.

5. Three plumbers have tried to fix the sink. It
keeps leaking.
End of Section
53
Review A
Possible Answers
Using all of the sentence-combining skills you
have learned, combine each of the following pairs
of sentences.

1. The large bird gave a noisy cry.

1. We found out that people have painted for
   thousands of years.

1. Daryl, a trained singer, led the national anthem.

1. Drops of rain fell into the fire, which let out
   clouds of steam.

5. Three plumbers have tried to fix the sink
however, it keeps leaking.
54
Review B
Using all of the sentence-combining skills you
have learned, revise and rewrite the following
paragraph without changing its original meaning.
Stonehenge is in southwestern England. It is a
series of stones. They are huge stones. The
stones weigh as much as fifty tons each. They
were set up over five thousand years ago. They
were moved by as many as one thousand people.
End of Section
55
Review B
Using all of the sentence-combining skills you
have learned, revise and rewrite the following
paragraph without changing its original meaning.
Possible Answer
Stonehenge is a series of huge stones in
southwestern England. Weighing as much as fifty
tons each, the stones were set up over five
thousand years ago and were moved by as many as
one thousand people.
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The End