1
Six Sentence Combining Options to Correct Fused Sentences and Comma Splices
Sentence-Combining Option 1
Separate the two sentences with a period to create two independent clauses.
Sentence-Combining Option 2
Combine the two sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
to create a compound sentence.
Coordinating Conjunctions
for
and
nor
but
or
yet
so
Meaning
because
in addition
indicates a second negative statement
however
indicates alternatives
however
as a result
Sentence-Combining Option 3
Combine the two sentences with a semicolon to create a compound sentence.
Sentence-Combining Option 4
Combine the two sentences with a semicolon, a conjunctive adverb (consequently, furthermore, however,
in fact, indeed, moreover, nevertheless, then, therefore), and a comma to create a compound sentence.
Conjunctive Adverbs
consequently
furthermore
however
in fact
indeed
moreover
nevertheless
then
therefore
Meaning
as a result
in addition
in contrast
in reality
certainly
in addition
in contrast
after that
as a result
Sentence-Combining Option 5
Combine the two sentence with a subordinating conjunction (after, although, as, because, before, if, since,
unless, until, when, whereas, while) to create a complex sentence.
Subordinating Conjunctions
after
although
as (as if)
Meaning
next
in spite of the fact that
equally, while
2
because
before
if
since
unless
until
when (whenever)
whereas
while
for the reason or cause that
in advance, prior to
on condition that
from then until now, because
except if
up to the time of
at the time that
but on the other hand
during or through the time that
Additional subordinating conjunctions and dependent words include the following: afterward, even
though, even if, even since, ever since, how, in order that, just as, just as if, now that, once, provided that,
rather than, so, so that, than, that, though, till, what, whatever, where, wherever, whether, which,
whichever, who, whoever, whose, why.
Sentence-Combining Option 6
Combine the two sentences by starting with a subordinating conjunction (after, although, as, because,
before, if, since, unless, until, when, whereas, while) and inserting a comma between the clauses to create
a complex sentence.
Subordinating
Conjunctions
Meaning
although
in spite of the fact that
because
for the reason or cause
that
if
on condition that
since
from then until now,
because
until
up to the time of
Example
Option #5: The morning remained calm although a breeze
swept through the camp in the afternoon.
Option #6: Although a breeze swept through the camp in
the afternoon, the morning remained calm.
Option #5: He paints rural settings because he prefers to
depict tranquil scenes.
Option #6: Because he prefers to depict tranquil scenes, he
paints rural settings.
Option #5: The work can be done if we upgrade the
computers.
Option #6: If we upgrade the computers, the work can be
done.
Option #5: The population has doubled since poachers
have been prosecuted.
Option #6: Since poachers have been prosecuted, the
population has doubled.
Option #5: The company produced a profit until the cost of
raw materials soared.
Option #6: Until the cost of raw materials soared, the
company produced a profit.