Sentence Combining
An Effective Way to Improve Writing Skills
~Deborah Dean, Sentence Combining: Building Skills through Reading and Writing
What is Sentence Combining?
Sentence Combining Rational
First Things First: Understanding the Basics of Grammar
Words:
Eight Parts of Speech:
1) Nouns2) Pronouns
3) Adjectives
4) Verbs
5) Adverbs
6) Prepositions
7) Conjunctions
8) Interjections
Phrases
Three Phrases:
1) Prepositional2) Verbal
- Participial
- Gerund
- Infinitive
3) Appositive
Clauses
Two Clauses:
1) Independent2) Dependent/Subordinate
What is the difference between a phrase and a clause?
A clause has a subject and a verb in it, and a clause does not.
Four Sentence Structures
Join simple sentences using words.
1) A rainbow appeared in the sky.
2) The rainbow was beautiful.
3) The sky is clear and blue.
Join two simple sentences using a prepositional phrase.
2) The cardboard box is on the table.
The cardboard box on the table is filled with books.
Join two simple sentences using a verbal phrase.
2) The boy is standing in the corner.
The boy standing in the corner is my best friend.
Join two sentences using an appositive phrase.
2) She is a math teacher.
Mrs. Johnson, a math teacher, is one of the best teachers at our school.
Join two simple sentences to create a compound sentence.
2) He decided to work with a tutor.
Using a coordinating conjunction:
Miguel was falling behind in his geometry class, so he decided to work with a tutor.
Using a conjunctive adverb:
Miguel was falling behind in his geometry class; therefore, he decided to work with a tutor.
Using a semicolon:
Miguel was falling behind in his geometry class; he decided to work with a tutor.
There Are Only Three Ways To create A Compound Sentence:
Join two simple sentences together with the conjunctions listed below:
2) Conjunctive Adverbs
3) Semicolons
Join two simple sentences to create a complex sentence.
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause plus one dependent or subordinate clause.
1) I can improve improve my grades.
2) I will start taking better notes in class.
- I will start taking better notes in class so that I can improve my grades.
- Unless I start taking better notes in class, I will never improve my grades.
- I will never improve my grades unless I start taking better notes in class.
- I improve my grades when I take better notes in class.
- When I take better notes in class, I improve my grades.
- I will not improve my grades until I begin taking better notes in class.
- Until I begin taking better notes in class, I will not improve my grades.
Combine two sentences to create a compound subject.
2) Lifting weights is a great way to keep in shape.
Working out and lifting weights are two great ways to keep in shape.
Compound-Complex Sentences
- Even though efforts had been made to make our neighborhood safe, crime in the neighborhood increased, so police began patrolling the streets more often.
- Crime in the neighborhood increased even though efforts had been made to make our neighborhood safe, so police began patrolling the streets more often.