Sentence Combining
Sentence Combining How to combine independent clauses Legal combination options Avoiding common mistakes
Combining Is More Readable Avoid repeated short, choppy sentences: “The design was tested. The accuracy was 95%. The robot was marketable.” Eliminate errors of punctuation: “The hen and the corn set off the alarm, the circuit was a success.” Highlight brief sentences with contrast: “Minimal design was used as the team pooled its knowledge of balloons. The design was successful.”
Start with Independent Clauses A clause has: A subject (noun that performs the action) A finite verb (showing number and time) Which are independent clauses? Precision is the repeatability of a result. The robot completing the course. Audience and purpose are the basic principles of professional writing.
Start with Independent Clauses A clause has: A subject (noun that performs the action) A finite verb (showing number and time) Which are independent clauses? Precision is the repeatability of a result. The robot completing the course. Audience and purpose are the basic principles of professional writing.
Sentence Combining How to combine independent clauses Legal combination options Avoiding common mistakes
Combine Independent Clauses Legally Colon or semicolon Semicolon with coordinating adverb Comma with coordinating conjunction Subordinating conjunction Participial phrase transformation
Combine Independent Clauses Legally 1. ; or : or . independent clause The robot was accurate: it passed the test.
Combine Independent Clauses Legally ; or : or . independent clause 1. The robot was accurate: it passed the test. The robot was accurate; therefore, it passed the test. independent clause coordinating adverb independent clause 2. ; , therefore however thus meanwhile accordingly nevertheless then consequently furthermore
Combine Independent Clauses Legally ; or : or . independent clause 1. The robot was accurate: it passed the test. The robot was accurate; therefore, it passed the test. independent clause coordinating adverb independent clause 2. ; , The robot was not accurate; however, it passed the test. therefore however thus meanwhile accordingly nevertheless then consequently furthermore
Combine Independent Clauses Legally ; or : or . independent clause 1. The robot was accurate: it passed the test. The robot was accurate; therefore, it passed the test. independent clause coordinating adverb independent clause 2. ; , The robot was not accurate; however, it passed the test. therefore however thus meanwhile accordingly nevertheless then consequently furthermore The robot was accurate, so it passed the test. 3. independent clause conjunction , independent clause and but for or/nor so yet
Combine Independent Clauses Legally 1. ; or : or . The robot was accurate: it passed the test. The robot was accurate; therefore, it passed the test. independent clause coordinating adverb independent clause 2. ; , The robot was not accurate; however, it passed the test. therefore however thus meanwhile accordingly nevertheless then consequently furthermore 3. independent clause conjunction The robot was accurate, so it passed the test. , independent clause and but for or/nor so yet Fanboys
Combine Independent Clauses Legally subordinating conjunction dependent clause independent clause Because the robot was accurate, it passed the test. , Because, Before Unless, Until Since, So that If, In order to Though Although, After, As While, When/Where(ever) Even though However The robot was accurate after it passed the test. 4b. independent clause subordinating conjunction dependent clause
Combine Independent Clauses Legally subordinating conjunction dependent clause independent clause Because the robot was accurate, it passed the test. , Because, Before Unless, Until Since, So that If, In order to Though Although, After, As While, When/Where(ever) Even though However “We hit a bus.” The robot was accurate after it passed the test. 4b. independent clause subordinating conjunction dependent clause
Combine Independent Clauses Legally The robot was accurate; therefore, it passed the test. independent clause coordinating adverb independent clause 2. ; , The robot was not accurate; however, it passed the test. therefore however thus meanwhile accordingly nevertheless then consequently furthermore 4a. subordinating conjunction dependent clause independent clause Because the robot was accurate, it passed the test. , because, before unless, until since, so that if, in order to though although, after, as while, when/where(ever) even though however However the robot was aligned, it always passed the test. 4b. independent clause The robot was accurate after it passed the test. subordinating conjunction dependent clause
Combine Independent Clauses Legally The robot was accurate; therefore, it passed the test. independent clause coordinating adverb independent clause 2. ; , The robot was not accurate; however, it passed the test. therefore however thus meanwhile accordingly nevertheless then consequently furthermore 4a. subordinating conjunction dependent clause independent clause Because the robot was accurate, it passed the test. , because, before unless, until since, so that if, in order to though although, after, as while, when/where(ever) even though however However the robot was aligned, it always passed the test. 4b. independent clause The robot was accurate after it passed the test. subordinating conjunction dependent clause 5. participial phrase independent clause Being accurate, the robot passed the test. ,
Sentence Combining How to combine independent clauses Legal combination options Avoiding common mistakes
Conjunctions and Adverbs But, the robot passed the test for accuracy.
Conjunctions Combine Two Things However, the robot passed the test for accuracy. coordinating adverb independent clause 2. , therefore however thus meanwhile accordingly nevertheless then consequently furthermore 3. independent clause conjunction , independent clause and but for or/nor so yet
Starting with “Because” Because the robot passed the test.
… End with an Independent Clause subordinating conjunction Because the robot passed the test, it should be put on the market. 4a. subordinating conjunction dependent clause independent clause , Because, Before Unless, Until Since, So that If, In order to Though Although, After, As While, When/Where(ever) Even though However
Combining with “However” The robot passed the test for accuracy, however it was not precise.
“However” Rarely Subordinates The robot passed the test for accuracy, however it was not precise. independent clause coordinating adverb independent clause 2. ; , therefore however thus meanwhile accordingly nevertheless then consequently furthermore
Practice With These Sentences Virtual instruments simulate laboratory instruments. They do not always replace physical objects. The hen and the corn were in the same barn. The alarm sounded.
Sentence Combining QUESTIONS?