combining sentences when is it a good idea to combine sentences?
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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.TRANSCRIPT
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