Combining+Sentences

= Exercise #7 = = Sentence Combining Worksheets = Knowing how to combine sentences is essential when writing. If you were unable to properly combine sentences, each sentence would be very short, simple and boring. Unfortunately, the rules for combining sentences can be somewhat complex. This worksheet helps with some examples of sentences to combine so you can get lots of practice combining sentences.

Simple Sentence Combining Worksheet
Combine the following sentences with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

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


 * She went to work, but did not want to go.**

2) The scientists trained him well. They helped him find a job when his training was through.


 * The scientists trained him well, and helped him find a job when his training was through.**

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


 * Polar bears and Grizzly bears are fierce, territorial animals.**

4) Mark told me not to come with him. He looked longingly at me as I left.


 * Mark told me not to come with him, but looked longingly at me as I left.**

5) I will not give in to you. I will not let you push me around.


 * I will not give in to you, or let you push me around.**

6) He loves to drive during the day. They will let him drive before 9pm.


 * They let him drive before 9pm, for he loves to drive during the day.**

7) My cat was hungry. It had not eaten since breakfast.


 * My cat had not eaten since breakfast, so it was hungry.**

8) They couldn’t think of anything better to do. They decided to baby-sit for the family.


 * They couldn't think of anything better to do, so they decided to baby-sit for the family.**

9) A book can be a lot of fun to read. A book can be boring.


 * A book can be a lot of fun to read, but a book can also be boring.**

10) That movie looks great! I would love to come see it with you.


 * That movie looks great, and I would love to come see it with you.**

Sentence Combining Using Subordinating Conjunctions
Combine the following sentences with a subordinating conjunction (after all, although, because, before, however, therefore). This may require a semicolon!

11) They made plans to go. They ended up not being able to make it.


 * They made plans to go, however, ended up not being able to make it.**

12) Some say that dogs are friendlier than cats. Cats can also be extremely loving.


 * Some say that dogs are friendlier than cats, however, cats can also be extremely loving.**

13) What we’ve accomplished is a milestone. Let’s raise our glasses for a toast.


 * Let's raise our glasses for a toast, after all, what we've accomplished is a milestone.**

14) Dr. Johnson ate a big meal. He went to work afterward.


 * Dr. Johnson ate a big meal before he went to work.**

15) I simply cannot get out of bed. I am too tired.


 * I simply cannot get out of bed because I am too tired.**

16) Don’t give me a hard time. We’ve been close friends for so long.


 * Don't give me a hard time, after all, we've been close friends for so long.**

17) We don’t believe the way you do. Our culture is very different from yours.

18) I can’t believe that you would do something so crazy. If I were you I might do the same.
 * We don't believe the way you do because our culture is very different from yours.**


 * I can't believe that you would do something so crazy; although, if I were you I might do the same.**

19) The two weren’t always this close. When she died, they became closer.


 * The two weren't always this close; however, when she died, they became closer.**

20) I refused to talk about it. I was put in jail.


 * I refused to talk about it; after all, I was put in jail.**

Sentence Combining with Subjects and Verbs
The following sentences share either the same subject or the same verb. Combine the sentences however you can.

21) Mr. Brown walked to the store. His pet monkey Ralph walked along with him.


 * Mr. Brown and his pet monkey Ralph walked to the store.**

22) The cactus is thirsty. The cactus is not getting enough sunlight.


 * The cactus is thirsty and is not getting enough sunlight.**

23) My mug was in the cupboard. My mug is no longer in the cupboard.


 * My mug was in the cupboard, but now it's no longer in the cupboard.**

24) Drew’s dog jumped into the air. Janine’s dog jumped into the air as well.


 * Drew's dog and Janine's dog jumped into the air.**

25) The book fell to the floor. It opened to a page I had never read before.


 * The book fell to the floor and opened to a page I had never read before.**

26) Your face has scars on it. Your face looks friendly.


 * Your face has scars on it, but it looks friendly.**

27) Why did you say that word? It was extremely rude.


 * Why did you say that extremely rude word?**

28) Everyone is lying to me! They’re trying to keep me from learning what they know.


 * Everyone is lying to me because they're trying to keep me from learning what they know.**

29) Stop dancing like that. Sit back down in your chair.


 * Stop dancing like that and sit back down in your chair.**

30) Thomas’ friends seemed so strange. They were hanging up every time they called.
 * Thomas' friends seemed so strange and were hanging up every time they called.**

Sentence Combining in Paragraphs
Combine as many sentences as you can in the following paragraph, using the above examples to guide you. The Boston Red Sox were three games down. The Red Sox had to win the next four games to advance. Fans were worried. Boston had not won a World Series since 1918. No team had ever come back in the playoffs from a three-game deficit. All of the fans knew this. Red Sox fans watched anxiously as the fourth game of the ALCS began. Yankees fans watched confidently. They also knew that anything could happen. People wanted to watch a good series. They did not expect it to be such a nail-biter! David Roberts stole second base. This move would be remembered as the turning point of the series. Nobody believed the Red Sox would win that year. The Red Sox won that year. The Yankees would not win the World Series for another five years. In 2009, the Yankees won the World Series.


 * The Boston Red Sox were three games down, and had to win the next four games to advance. Fans were worried because Boston had not won a World Series since 1918. All of the fans knew that no team had ever come back in the playoffs from a three-game deficit. Red Sox fans watched anxiously as the fourth game of the ALCS began while Yankees fans watched confidently, also knowing that anything could happen. People wanted to watch a good series, and they did not expect it to be such a nail-biter! The move that would be remembered as the turning point of the series was when David Roberts stole second base. Nobody believed that the Red Sox would win that year, but they did. The Yankees would not win the World Series for another five years, however, they did win the World Series in 2009. **