Combining Sentences
Experienced writers know when to combine choppy sentences — and break up run-on sentences, too — without giving it much thought. Beginning writers, on the other hand, need to be explicitly taught. Since the most straightforward way to combine sentences is to merge two simple sentences into a compound sentence using a connector word, that’s a good place to begin.
Below is a sampling of different kinds of sentence combining, including examples:
Producing compound sentences using conjunctions
Example:
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The weather was perfect.
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The girls were playing soccer.
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The weather was perfect, and the girls were playing soccer.
Producing compound subjects and objects
Example:
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The book was good.
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The movie was good.
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The book and the movie were good.
Inserting adjectives and adverbs
Example:
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The girl drank lemonade.
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The girl was thirsty.
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The thirsty girl drank lemonade.
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This information came from Reading Rockets.
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What is a coordinating conjunction?
A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two or more elements of the same grammatical type. The word coordinating refers specifically to bringing things together on the same level.
The elements joined by coordinating conjunctions can be individual words, phrases, or clauses. The seven most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so—the first letters of which spell out the memorable acronym FANBOYS.
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
Here are some examples of FANBOYS in sentences:
Plenty of vegetables were ready to be picked in her garden, so Maria didn’t go to the farmers’ market this week.
Do you like the taste of peaches or mangoes better?
Samir bikes to the park and plays soccer there almost every weekend.
This information came from Grammarly.
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Using a Semicolon to Combine Sentences
Rule
Use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses which are not joined by a coordinating conjunction. This rule means that semicolons are used between two complete sentences which are not already linked by words like and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.
Example
For example, these two sentences—
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I do not like to eat chocolate. Ice cream is my food of choice.
can be rewritten like this—
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I do not like to eat chocolate; ice cream is my food of choice.
A semicolon works here because the sentences are closely related in meaning, and they are not joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Rule
Use a semicolon between independent clauses which are linked in meaning with a transitional word. This rule means that a writer may use semicolons between two complete sentences that are joined by transition words like however, meanwhile, next, similarly, therefore, for example, in addition, in conclusion, etc. This transitional word is often followed by a comma.
Example
For example, these two sentences—
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I do not like to ride the bus. However, I ride it when I visit my sister.
can be rewritten like this—
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I do not like to ride the bus; however, I ride it when I visit my sister.
A semicolon works here because the sentences are closely related in meaning. Note that it is not correct to use a comma instead of the semicolon.
Rule
Use a semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation. In other words, if you have a series, major groupings, or a list, then instead of using a comma each time, use a semicolon.
Example
For instance, look at this example—
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Classic science fiction sagas are Star Trek, with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears, Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylon Raiders, and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.
This sentence can be also written like this—
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Classic science fiction sagas are Star Trek with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears; Battlestar Galactica with its Cylon Raiders; and Star Wars with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.
The semicolons here are important because they clarify groupings within the sentence. By inserting semicolons between each major break, the writer makes it easier for the reader to see where one major groups ends and where the next one begins.
The information was compiled by Chris Branchtti, Karen Geist, and Kelly Jean Norris; Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
It was adapted from: Hacker, D. (1998). A Writer's Reference 4th edition. Bedford/St. Martin's.