Sentence Combining

Exercises

Joining sentences with coordinators

Remember FANBOYS:• For effect/cause• And addition• Nor addition of negatives• But contrast• Or alternative• Yet contrast• So cause/effect

Punctuating coordinators

sentence + comma + coordinator + sentence

Mary enjoys math, for it is challenging.

Judy doesn’t work, nor does she want a job.

James needs a vacation, or he’ll go crazy.

Using coordinators and subordinators to compare and contrast

comparison contrast

Coordinators and but, yet

Subordinators although

even though

though

while

whereas

Coordinators give equal emphasis to the ideas they join.

Subordinators de-emphasize the ideas they are attached to. They are sometimes called concession words.

Transition words

Because transition words do not join two sentences, we have to be aware of the correct ways to use them.

• Join two logically-related sentences with a semi-colon and show the logical relationship with a transition word.

• Separate the sentences with a period, and show the logical relationship with a transition word.

Coordinators can join sentences and begin sentences. When they join sentences, place a comma before the coordinator.

•Kim likes heavy metal, but Tom prefers jazz.

Subordinators join dependent clauses to sentences. When the dependent clause comes first, place a comma after it.

•While Kim likes meat, Tom prefers salads.

If the dependent clause follows the independent clause, don’t use a comma.

•Kim likes meat while Tom prefers salads.

After he finishes his college education, Robert hopes to become an art appraiser. He’s majoring

in art history and minoring in business.

• After he finishes his college education, Robert hopes to become an art appraiser; therefore, he’s majoring in art history and minoring in business.

• After he finishes his college education, Robert hopes to become an art appraiser. Therefore, he’s majoring in art history and minoring in business.

Using modifiersSentences can be

effectively combined by using adjectives or prepositional phrases to eliminate repetitive elements.

People can protect their health by eating more beef, chicken, fish, fruit and vegetables, and milk.

• The people are younger.• The beef is lean.• The chicken is skinless.• The fish is broiled or baked.• The fruit and vegetables are fresh.• The milk is low-fat.

Younger people can protect their health by eating more lean beef, skinless chicken, broiled or baked fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and low-fat milk.

A group persuaded my cousin Brian to join them on a camping trip.

• The group was of outdoorsmen.• My cousin is from New York.• The trip was to Yosemite National Park.

A group of outdoorsmen persuaded my cousin Brian from New York to join them on a camping trip to Yosemite National Park.