Combining Sentences
Chapter 6, pg 96
Why combine sentences?
Why not write like this?
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See Spot run. Spot chases Mitten.
See Mittens run. Mittens runs fast.
See Mittens climb a tree.
Two Ways to Combine Sentences

Coordination
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Subordination
What is coordination

Co-ordination is the pairing of similar
elements – words, phrases, or clauses – to
give equal weight to each.
Use Coordination when
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
you have two sentences that contain ideas
of equal importance.
The clauses are independent (simple
sentences).
Combining Sentences
Using Co-ordination

You can combine sentences by using
punctuation and/or connecting words called
conjunctions.
What is co-ordination?


Co-ordination can link two independent clauses
to form a compound sentence.
There are three ways to combine sentences.
How to combine sentences to
produce a compound sentence
1.Use a comma & a coordinating conjunction
Everyone needs what the farmers produce, so
we should be concerned about their problems.
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A conjunction is a connecting or joining word.
What is the conjunction in this sentence?
Name the seven co-ordinating conjunctions.
Comma + Coordinating Conjunction

Name the seven coordinating conjunctions.
And
for
or
but
so
yet
nor
Do I have to have a comma?

You can leave it out in a short
compound sentence but it is never
wrong to include it
Caution

When using a comma in this type of
compound sentence, be sure it truly is a
compound sentence.

IC ,
conjunction IC
I left early,
for
the bus is often late.
Caution

Don’t use a comma if the second part of
the sentence is not an independent clause.

I left early, for work. WRONG

I left early for work . RIGHT
Identifying co-ordinating
conjunctions
Identify the subject and verb for each independent clause.
Then circle the comma and coordinating conjunction.
Pg 98, “Practice”
The speaker rose to his feet, and the room
became quiet.
1. The audience was packed, for this was a man
with an international reputation.
Option 2: Semicolon +
2. Use a semicolon, an adverbial conjunction,
and a comma
(Pg 101)
I worked hard; therefore, I expected results.

What is the adverbial conjunction in this
sentence?
How to combine sentences

Name some other common adverbial
conjunctions.
Pg 102
In addition
however instead
accordingly
likewise indeed
meanwhile
Identifying adverbial
conjunctions
Identify the subject and verb for each independent
clause. Then circle the semicolon, adverbial
conjunction, and comma.
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The jet was the fastest way to get there;
moreover, it was the most comfortable.
The land was not for sale; however, the house
could be rented.
Pg 102, Practice
Caution

Don’t use a comma instead of a semicolon.
The land was not for sale, however,
the house could be rented. WRONG
The land was not for sale; however,
the house could be rented. RIGHT
Caution

The land was not for sale; however the
house could be rented. WRONG

The land was not for sale; however, the
house could be rented. RIGHT
Option 3: Use a Semicolon
3. Use a semicolon
I used to watch the Toronto Blue Jays play
baseball at Exhibition Stadium; tonight I’m
going to watch them play in the Skydome.

Here the semicolon takes the place of a
conjunction.
Semicolons (continued)


Use a semicolon only when the content of two
clauses is closely related.
When sentences are combined using a
semicolon, the grammatical structure of each
sentence should be similar (parallel).
The women pitched the tents; the men cooked
dinner.
Exercise 7 on pg 105
Review
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As a writer, why would you want to use
co-ordination?
When do you use co-ordination?
Name the three ways to combine sentences
using co-ordination.
Practice: Relay Race
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Get into 2 groups
Decide your order
Go!
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Each sentence that appears, your group’s
representative will have to
1. underline the subject
2. highlight the verb
3. Identify the combination or combine the
sentences.
4. The person who answered, initial it!
5. Check your answer with Mrs. T to move
on to the next sentence!
Combining Sentences using
Subordination
Chapter 7, pg 113
Subordination

Method of combining
two clauses that
contain ideas that are
not equally important
Subordination

Combines an INDEPENDENT clause
and a DEPENDENT clause.

IC: I drank the water
DC: When I drank the water…
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Exercise 2, pg 114

DC 1.
DC 2.
IC
IC
3.
4.
IC or DC?
Before the show began
While Betty bought the tickets
I played some video games
The line at the concession stand was too long
Using Subordinating Conjunctions
Pg 116
 After
in order that
Although once
As, as if provided that
As long as rather than
Because since
Even though
so that
Before
though

unless
until
when, whenever
where, wherever
whereas
whether
while
Subordinating Conjunctions (117)
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To introduce a condition
I will go as long as you go with me
To introduce a contrast
I will go even though you wont go with me
To introduce a cause
I will go because the meeting is important
To show time, place or purpose
when, until, wherever, so that
Exercise 5 pg 119
1. He was eating breakfast. The results of the
election came over the radio.
1. While he was eating breakfast, the results
of the election came over the radio.
2. The town council voted against the plan. They
believed the project was too expensive.
2. The town council voted against the plan
because they believed the project was too
expensive.
Subordination using
Relative Pronouns

Sentences can be combined using a relative
pronoun.
The researcher had a breakthrough.
He was studying diabetes.
The researcher who was studying diabetes had a
breakthrough.
Incorrect would be: The researcher had a breakthrough
who was studying diabetes.
Exercise 8 pg 124
1. Stress can do a great deal of harm.
We experience stress every day.
1. Stress, which we experience every day, can
do a great deal of harm.
2. People often use food to help them cope.
Some people’s jobs are demanding.
2. People whose jobs are demanding often use
food to help them cope.