Test Yourself

Sentence Combining

[Harbrace 9] 

Review

See Introduction to Sentence Combining below 

Practice Exercises

• Identifying Appropriate Subordination
• Identifying Means of Combining Sentences, Part II

Introduction

Sentence combining is a way of rewriting sentences so that they are more meaningful and flow more smoothly. It is a way of enriching your writing by making it denser and more compact.

Simple sentences that have one independent clause (subject and predicate; complete sense) can be enriched in ways such as these: 

1. Combining with modifiers (words that function as adjectives and adverbs): 

The Spanish Armada was mighty. The Spanish Armada set sail. It set sail boldly. 

REVISED:
The mighty Spanish Armada boldly set sail. 

2. Combining with phrases (such as noun, predicate, prepositional, and absolute phrases): 

It was 1588. The Spanish Armada set sail. It left Lisbon. 

REVISED:
In 1588, the Spanish Armada set sail from Lisbon. 

3. Combining with words that subordinate the less important ideas: 

It was 1588. The Spanish Armada set sail. It left Lisbon. It sailed toward England. No one knew what would result. The English would use fireships. The weather would be bad. The supplies would run out. 

REVISED:
In 1588, when the mighty Spanish Armada boldly set sail from Lisbon toward England, no one knew what would result from the English fireships, the bad weather, and the inadequate supplies.