Combining Sentences

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

Jurgen played soccer.

Soccer was not Jurgen's favorite thing.

• Jurgen played soccer, though it was not his favorite thing.

• Soccer was not Jurgen's favorite thing, so he played it.

• "Soccer is not my favorite thing," explained Jurgen to the reporter.

• After Jurgen played soccer, it was not his favorite thing.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

Michelle decided to try a different restaurant.

She explained that she wasn't in the mood for burgers.

• Michelle decided to try a different restaurant, explaining that she wasn't in the mood for burgers.

• Michelle decided to try a different restaurant that wasn't in the mood for burgers.

• Michelle decided to try a different restaurant until she explained that she wasn't in the mood for burgers.

• Michelle decided to try a different restaurant, yet she explained that she wasn't in the mood for burgers.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

The team owner handed the trophy to the team captain.

The team owner thought it would look better in photos.

• The team owner handed the trophy to the team captain, thinking it would look better in photos.

• The team owner handed to trophy to the team captain who thought it would look better in photos.

• The team owner handed the trophy to the team captain although he thought it would look better in photos.

• The captain was excited to accept the trophy from the team owner.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

Henry got up early to go rock climbing before school.

He did this because he did not have time after school for rock climbing.

• Since he did not have time to go rock climbing after school, Henry got up early to go rock climbing before school.

• Henry got up early to go rock climbing before school, and he did not have time after school for rock climbing.

• Henry got up early to go rock climbing before school except he did not have time after school for rock climbing.

• Henry got up early to go rock climbing before school because he never had time for anything after school these days.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

Mr. Van Duyne threw the ball to Max.

Mr. Van Duyne was impressed at Max's catch.

• Mr. Van Duyne threw the ball to Max and was impressed at his catch.

• Mr. Van Duyne threw the ball to Max who was impressed at his catch.

• Mr. Van Duyne threw the ball to Max until he was impressed at Max's catch.

• Mr. Van Duyne threw the ball to Max, but he was impressed at Max's catch.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

Last March, I brought my burrito back to the cashier.

I complained that it wasn't what I ordered.

• Last March, I brought my burrito back to the cashier, complaining that it wasn't what I ordered.

• Last March, I brought my burrito back to the cashier, even though I complained that it wasn't what I ordered.

• Last March, I brought my burrito back to the cashier who complained that it wasn't what I ordered.

• Last March, I brought my burrito back to the cashier, yet I complained that it wasn't what I ordered.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

George decided he didn't care what anyone thought.

George realized that he had to live his life, no matter what.

• George decided that he didn't care what anyone thought, realizing that he had to live his life, no matter what.

• Deciding he didn't care what anyone thought, George realized that he had to live his own life, regardless of the consequences.

• George decided that he didn't care what anyone thought, though he realized he had to live his life, no matter what.

• George decided that he didn't care what anyone thought, though he did bring his burrito back to the cashier last March.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

Len had named every seagull at the dock.

Today, he noticed Fingle was missing.

• Len had named every seagull at the dock, and today, he noticed Fingle was missing.

• Len had named every seagull at the dock, noticing today that Fingle was missing.

• Noticing today that FIngle was missing, Len named every seagull at the dock.

• Len had named every seagull at the dock because today, he noticed Fingle was missing.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

Santa Claus crept silently toward the Christmas tree.

He realized it was now or never.

• Realizing it was now or never, Santa Claus crept silently toward the Christmas tree.

• Santa Claus crept silently toward the Christmas tree, though he realized it was now or never.

• Santa Claus crept silently toward the Christmas tree which realized it was now or never.

• Santa Claus crept silently toward the Christmas tree, but he realized it was now or never.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

The second parachute didn't open.

As a result, Mr. Van Duyne wished he knew some prayers.

• Mr. Van Duyne wished he knew some prayers since the second parachute didn't open.

• The second parachute didn't open, and Mr. Van Duyne wished he knew some prayers.

• "The second parachute didn't open," said Mr. Van Duyne, who wished he knew some prayers.

• The second paragraph didn't open, so Mr. Van Duyne knew his burrito had to live its own life, no matter what.