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Conjunctions

This document provides information on combining sentences through coordination and subordination. It defines an independent clause and lists seven coordinating conjunctions ("fanboys") that can join two independent clauses - for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. It also discusses subordinating conjunctions, which make one clause dependent on the other, and lists some common subordinating conjunctions like if, although, because, after, before, when. Examples are provided of rewriting paragraphs using coordinating and subordinating conjunctions to improve sentence variety. Worksheets with additional examples of combining sentences in various ways are also included.

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Ayesha Farhan
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90 views4 pages

Conjunctions

This document provides information on combining sentences through coordination and subordination. It defines an independent clause and lists seven coordinating conjunctions ("fanboys") that can join two independent clauses - for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. It also discusses subordinating conjunctions, which make one clause dependent on the other, and lists some common subordinating conjunctions like if, although, because, after, before, when. Examples are provided of rewriting paragraphs using coordinating and subordinating conjunctions to improve sentence variety. Worksheets with additional examples of combining sentences in various ways are also included.

Uploaded by

Ayesha Farhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sentence Combining: Coordination and Subordination

by Jennifer

Sentence variety is one important aspect of writing, and is one of the four areas assessed on the essay
test at the end of the semester. Two ways you can successfully combine short sentences is by
subordination or coordination. Correctly done, your ideas will flow smoothly.

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. Join two of these
together with a comma and one of the following coordinating conjunctions:

for - gives a reason, e.g., I like going to school, for the classes are not too difficult.

and - adds a fact or condition, e.g., I like going to school, and I like many of the teachers.

nor - means not. Remember to invert the word order following this conjunction, e.g., I am not going out,
nor am I going to lie down to rest.

but - shows a contrast, e.g., I want to go out and have fun, but I don't want to be out too late.

or - gives a choice of alternatives, e.g., We could go to a movie, or we could go for a walk.

yet - like "but", this word also shows a contrast, e.g. I want to go out with my friends, yet I noticed
there's a really good movie on TV tonight.

so - gives a result, similar in use to "therefore", e.g., It's raining out, so I will take an umbrella.

The above coordinating conjunctions make an acronym: fanboys. An acronym is a word made up of the
first letters of others words. "Fanboys" is an easy way to remember these seven coordinating
conjunctions.

Subordinating conjunctions also join ideas together. But where fanboys joins two equal clauses
together, subordinating conjunctions impose a different relationship, making one clause dependent on
the other. There are many different subordinating conjunctions. Some of the most common are as
follows:

if, even if, provided that - gives a condition, e.g., I will go with you if you need some help.

although, even though, though - gives contrast, e.g., Although you need help, I am too busy tomorrow
morning to go with you.

because, since - show cause, e.g., I will cancel my appointment tomorrow morning and go with you
since you really need some help.

after, before, when, whenever, while - give a time, e.g. I am going shopping after I leave you
downtown tomorrow.

where, wherever - show place, e.g., We can go whenever you'd like to. in order that, so that - show
purpose, e.g., I am going to class so that I can ask the teacher what will be on the test.

Using coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, rewrite the following paragraphs for better sentence
variety, and show them to a teacher.
Paragraph 1

I am going to the gym. I need to take the bus. My car has broken down. I am going to put my runners,
shorts, swimsuit, a towel and a top into my bag. I will jog to the bus stop. It will be part of the my
workout. I will get to the gym by 11 am. I will do the bike for 15 minutes. I will lift weights for 30 minutes.
I'll stretch for 10 minutes. I will go into the pool. I will go into the hot tub. I will go into the sauna several
times. I will get changed. I will go home.

Paragraph 2

I went shopping yesterday. I was having friends for dinner. I needed a big roast of beef, two chickens,
and twelve dinner rolls. I also bought two heads of romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, green pepper,
celery, radishes, an orange and fresh garlic. I added baking potatoes, fresh baby carrots, snow peas,
corn niblets, and cauliflower. I stopped by the florist. I picked up two bunches of deep red roses, baby's
breath, and some salal. I went to the bakery for a blueberry-chocolate cheese cake. I drove to my
friend's to pick up a pair of beautiful pink-and-white beeswax candles. I was pleased with my purchases.
I went home to cook and decorate for that evening's dinner.

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.

Sentence Combining: The Basics


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.
2)  The scientists trained him well.  They helped him find a job when his training was through.
3)  Polar bears are fierce, territorial animals.  Grizzly bears are the same.
4)  Mark told me not to come with him.  He looked longingly at me as I left.
5)  I will not give in to you.  I will not let you push me around.
6)  He loves to drive during the day.  They will let him drive before 9pm.
7)  My cat was hungry.  It had not eaten since breakfast.
8)  They couldn’t think of anything better to do.  They decided to baby-sit for the family.
9)  A book can be a lot of fun to read.  A book can be boring.
10)  That movie looks great!  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.
12)  Some say that dogs are friendlier than cats.  Cats can also be extremely loving.
13)  What we’ve accomplished is a milestone.  Let’s raise our glasses for a toast.
14)  Dr. Johnson ate a big meal.  He went to work afterward.
15)  I simply cannot get out of bed.  I am too tired.
16)  Don’t give me a hard time.  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.
19)  The two weren’t always this close.  When she died, they became closer.
20)  I refused to talk about it.  I was put in jail.

Sentence Combining: 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.
22)  The cactus is thirsty.  The cactus is not getting enough sunlight.
23)  My mug was in the cupboard.  My mug is no longer in the cupboard.
24)  Drew’s dog jumped into the air.  Janine’s dog jumped into the air as well.
25)  The book fell to the floor.  It opened to a page I had never read before.
26)  Your face has scars on it.  Your face looks friendly.
27)  Why did you say that word?  It was extremely rude.
28)  Everyone is lying to me!  They’re trying to keep me from learning what they know.
29)  Stop dancing like that.  Sit back down in your chair.
30)  Thomas’ friends seemed so strange.  They were hanging up every time they called.

Sentence Combining: 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.

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