Combining Sentences Practice

Combing Sentences

Improving Sentence Fluency & Becoming More Concise in Our Writing

Ways to Combine Sentences

1. Combine two independent clauses (complete sentences) with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

Example: Marque wanted to go to the store, so he borrowed his mom's car.

2. Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses.

The cat could be outside; it could also be in the garage.

Ways to Combine Sentences Continued...

3. Combining sentences with the same subjects and verbs.

Original Sentences: John graduated from high school. He aced all of his classes.

Combined Sentence: John graduated from high school and aced all of his classes.

Let's Practice!

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences: It was a good idea. It was a dangerous idea.

• It was a good idea but it was a dangerous idea.

• It was a good idea that was also dangerous.

• It was a good but dangerous idea.

• It was a dangerous idea yet it was also good.

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences?

She went to work. She did not want to go.

• She went to work, and she did not want to go.

• She went to work, but she did not want to go.

• She went to work, so she did not want to go.

• These sentences cannot be combined.

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences?

Polar bears are fierce, territorial animals. Grizzly bears are the same.

• Polar bears are fierce, territorial animals because Grizzly bears are the same.

• Polar bears and Grizzly bears are both fierce, territorial animals.

• Polar bears are fierce, territorial animals, yet Grizzly bears are the same.

• Polar bears are fierce, territorial animals, and Grizzly bears are the same.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is correct?

• I wanted to go to school today, but I was too tired.

• I wanted to go to school today but I was too tired.

• I wanted to go to school today, but, I was too tired.

• None of the above

Multiple Choice

I want to sleep in, ______ I have to go to school.

• and

• yet

• but

• or

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences?

Jack swung the bat. He missed the ball.

• Jack swung the bat, he missed the ball.

• Jack swung the bat he missed the ball.

• Jack swung the bat, but he missed the ball.

• Jack swung the bat, for he missed the ball.

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences?

The chocolate icing is creamy. The strawberry icing is too stiff.

• The chocolate icing is creamy or the strawberry icing is too stiff.

• The chocolate icing is creamy, but the strawberry icing is too stiff.

• The chocolate icing is creamy but the strawberry icing is too stiff.

• The chocolate icing is creamy, the strawberry icing is too stiff.

Multiple Select

Is this sentence written correctly?

I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life’s too short for counting calories.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences?

The creepy monster growled loudly. He took one step towards me. He stared at me with his beady red eyes.

• The creepy monster growled loudly, took one step towards me, and stared at me with his beady, red eyes.

• The creepy monster growled loudly, took one step towards me, stared at me with his beady, red eyes.

• The creepy monster growled loudly and took one step towards me and stared at me with his beady, red eyes.

• The creepy monster growled loudly, took one step towards me, or stared at me with his beady red eyes.

Multiple Choice

What is the most effective way to combine these sentences?

Our cat hunched his back. He hissed at the helpless puppy.

• Our cat arched his back and hissed at the helpless puppy.

• Our cat arches his back, and hissed at the helpless puppy.

• Our cat arched his back, hissed at the helpless puppy.

• Our cat arched his back, and hissed at the helpless puppy.

Multiple Choice

What is the most effective way to combine these sentences?

Sam packed a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. He also packed an apple. He packed a bag of chips.

• Sam packed a peanut butter sandwich, an apple, and a bag of chips.

• Sam packed a peanut butter sandwich an apple and a bag of chips.

• Sam packed a peanut butter sandwich also an apple and a bag of chips.

• Sam packed a peanut butter sandwich, and an apple, and a bag of chips.

Multiple Select

Is this sentence written correctly?

Martha has gone to the library; Andrew has gone to play soccer.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences?

I will have a juicy steak for dinner. I will have a loaded baked potato for dinner.

• I will have a juicy steak, and a loaded potato for dinner.

• I will have a juicy steak and a loaded potato for dinner.

• I will have a juicy steak for dinner, I will have a loaded potato for dinner.

• For dinner, I will have a juicy steak, and I will have a loaded bake potato for dinner.

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences?

Shauna attends community college. Her best friend attends the same school.

• Shauna attends community college just like her best friend does.

• Shauna attends community college where her best friend attends.

• Shauna and her best friend attend the same community college as each other.

• Shauna and her best friend attend the same community college.