Sentence+Combining

= 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 did not want to go, but she went to work. 2) The scientists trained him well. They helped him find a job when his training was through. The scientists trained him well, and they helped him find a job when the 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, yet he 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. He loves to drive during the day, so they will let him drive before 9pm. 7) My cat was hungry. It had not eaten since breakfast. My cat was hungry, for it had not eaten since breakfast.  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, or it can 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 they 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, although 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 in 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 am too tired, therefore I simply cannot get out of bed.  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 a long time. 17) We don’t believe the way you do. Our culture is very different from yours. Our culture is very different from yours, therefore we don't believe the way you do.  18) I can’t believe that you would do something so crazy. If I were you I might do the same. I can't believe that you would do something so crazy, although i f 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, therefore 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 walked to the store with his pet monkey Ralph.  22) The cactus is thirsty. The cactus is not getting enough sunlight. The cactus is thirsty and it 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 it is 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 jumped into the air, and so did Janine's dog. 25) The book fell to the floor. It opened to a page I had never read before. The book fell to the floor, opening 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, yet it looks friendly. 27) Why did you say that word? It was extremely rude. That word was extremely rude; why did you say it?  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 because they were hanging up every time they called.