Combining sentences
54 flashcards covering Combining sentences for the ACT English & Reading section.
Combining sentences is a fundamental writing skill that involves joining two or more independent ideas into a single, more efficient sentence. This technique uses tools like conjunctions, semicolons, or relative clauses to create smoother flow and avoid repetition. For example, instead of writing "I went to the store. I bought milk," you might combine them as "I went to the store and bought milk." Mastering this helps make your writing clearer and more concise, which is essential for effective communication in essays and everyday tasks.
On the ACT English section, combining sentences appears in questions that ask you to choose the best way to revise a passage for clarity, conciseness, or grammatical accuracy. Common traps include creating run-on sentences, fragments, or awkward phrasing, so watch for errors in punctuation and logic. Focus on identifying redundant ideas and selecting options that maintain the original meaning while improving readability. Always read the full context to ensure the combined sentence fits naturally.
Practice rewriting pairs of sentences to build confidence.
Terms (54)
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Combining sentences
The process of joining two or more sentences into one to make writing more concise, varied, and effective, which is a common focus in ACT English questions.
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Coordinating conjunction
A word such as and, but, or, so that links two independent clauses to form a compound sentence, helping to show relationships like addition or contrast.
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Using 'and' to combine
This involves joining two independent clauses with 'and' to indicate addition, but ensure it doesn't create run-on sentences by overusing it.
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Using 'but' to combine
This means connecting two independent clauses with 'but' to show contrast, which can make writing more dynamic and precise.
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Using 'or' to combine
This entails linking two independent clauses with 'or' to present alternatives, often used in ACT to test logical relationships.
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Using 'so' to combine
This connects two independent clauses with 'so' to indicate result or consequence, helping to clarify cause-and-effect in sentences.
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Using 'yet' to combine
This joins two independent clauses with 'yet' to express contrast with a concessive tone, enhancing sentence variety.
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Using 'for' to combine
This links two independent clauses with 'for' to show reason or explanation, though it's less common and can be formal in style.
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Using 'nor' to combine
This connects two independent clauses with 'nor' to indicate neither one nor the other, often paired with 'neither' for parallel structure.
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Semicolon for combining clauses
A punctuation mark that joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction, creating a stronger pause than a comma.
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Colon for combining sentences
This introduces an explanation, list, or elaboration after an independent clause, effectively combining ideas into a single sentence.
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Subordinating conjunction
A word like because, although, or if that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, forming a complex sentence to show relationships like cause or condition.
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Using 'because' to combine
This subordinates a clause to explain a reason, such as combining 'I was late' and 'I missed the bus' into 'I was late because I missed the bus'.
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Using 'although' to combine
This creates a contrast by subordinating a clause, like turning 'It was raining' and 'we went out' into 'Although it was raining, we went out'.
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Using 'if' to combine
This introduces a conditional clause, allowing combination like 'You study hard' and 'you will succeed' into 'If you study hard, you will succeed'.
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Using 'when' to combine
This subordinates a clause to indicate time, such as merging 'The bell rang' and 'we left' into 'We left when the bell rang'.
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Relative clause
A dependent clause introduced by words like who, which, or that, which combines additional information about a noun into the main sentence.
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Using 'who' in relative clauses
This refers to people in a relative clause, like combining 'The teacher is kind' and 'she helps us' into 'The teacher who helps us is kind'.
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Using 'which' in relative clauses
This refers to things or animals in a nonessential clause, such as combining 'The car is fast' and 'it has a turbo engine' into 'The car, which has a turbo engine, is fast'.
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Using 'that' in relative clauses
This introduces an essential relative clause for things or people, like merging 'The book is interesting' and 'I read it' into 'The book that I read is interesting'.
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Appositive phrase
A noun or phrase that renames or explains another noun, allowing sentences to be combined for more detail without starting a new one.
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Present participial phrase
A phrase starting with a present participle like 'running' that combines actions, such as turning 'He ran' and 'he saw the dog' into 'Running, he saw the dog'.
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Past participial phrase
A phrase beginning with a past participle like 'broken' that adds description, combining ideas like 'The window was shattered' and 'it let in the wind' into 'Broken, the window let in the wind'.
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Gerund phrase
A phrase starting with a gerund (verb ending in -ing used as a noun) that combines actions into a single sentence for concision.
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Infinitive phrase
A phrase beginning with 'to' plus a verb, which can combine purposes or results, like merging 'She studied' and 'to pass the test' into 'She studied to pass the test'.
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Avoiding run-on sentences
When combining sentences, ensure not to join independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunctions, as this is a frequent ACT error.
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Fixing comma splices
Correct the error of joining two independent clauses with just a comma by adding a conjunction, semicolon, or making one clause dependent.
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Combining for parallelism
Ensure that elements in a combined sentence have the same grammatical structure, like using 'running and jumping' instead of 'to run and jumping'.
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Using transitions to combine
Words like however or therefore that connect ideas between sentences, helping to create smoother flow in combined writing.
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Using 'however' to combine
This transitional adverb joins contrasting ideas, often after a semicolon, to combine sentences effectively.
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Using 'moreover' to combine
This adds supporting information when combining, indicating addition and improving the logical progression of ideas.
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Using 'therefore' to combine
This links clauses to show consequence, helping to combine sentences that demonstrate cause and effect clearly.
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Strategy: Look for repeated subjects
When combining sentences, identify repeated nouns as a cue to merge them into one sentence for concision and to avoid redundancy.
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Strategy: Eliminate redundancy
Combine sentences by removing repeated words or ideas, which is a key technique for making writing more efficient on the ACT.
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Common trap: Overusing 'and'
Relying too much on 'and' can create run-ons or monotonous sentences, so vary conjunctions when combining for better style.
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Common trap: Incorrect semicolon use
Misplacing a semicolon between a dependent and independent clause can confuse meaning, so use it only between two independent clauses.
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Correlative conjunctions for combining
Pairs like 'not only...but also' that link balanced elements, ensuring parallel structure when combining related ideas.
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Using ellipsis in combining
Omitting repeated words when combining sentences for concision, such as changing 'He likes apples and he likes oranges' to 'He likes apples and oranges'.
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Varying sentence length when combining
Mix short and long sentences by combining clauses to keep writing engaging and avoid a choppy or repetitive feel.
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Combining with dashes
Use dashes to insert parenthetical information or emphasis, effectively combining ideas within a sentence for clarity.
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Absolute phrase for combining
A phrase that modifies the entire sentence, like 'The game over, the players left,' to add detail without creating a full clause.
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Prepositional phrase for combining
A phrase starting with a preposition that can integrate descriptive elements, such as 'in the morning' to merge time details.
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Strategy: Check for logical flow
When combining, ensure the new sentence maintains a clear logical connection to avoid confusion in ACT reading comprehension.
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Common trap: Fragment after combining
After joining sentences, verify that the result is a complete thought, as incomplete fragments are often tested errors.
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Using 'while' to combine
This subordinates clauses to show simultaneous actions, like combining 'I read' and 'he slept' into 'While I read, he slept'.
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Using 'since' to combine
This can indicate time or cause when subordinating, helping to merge related ideas into a cohesive sentence.
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Combining for emphasis
Join sentences to highlight key ideas, such as using a colon to draw attention to an important explanation.
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Strategy: Prioritize concision
When combining, choose the option that shortens the text without losing meaning, as ACT favors clear and efficient writing.
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Common trap: Misplaced modifiers
Ensure modifiers are correctly placed when combining to avoid ambiguity, like not saying 'Walking to school, the bus passed me' incorrectly.
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Using 'as' to combine
This subordinates clauses to show similarity or time, such as merging 'He arrived' and 'I left' into 'As he arrived, I left'.
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Advanced: Nested clauses
Combining multiple clauses within one sentence for complexity, but ensure it's not overly convoluted for readability.
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Example: Simple to compound
Turning 'I ran. I jumped' into 'I ran and jumped' shows how coordinating conjunctions create compound sentences.
Original: I exercised. I felt better. Combined: I exercised and felt better.
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Example: Adding a relative clause
Combining by adding 'that' or 'which' to describe a noun, like 'The dog barked' and 'it was big' into 'The dog that was big barked'.
Original: The painting is valuable. It is old. Combined: The painting that is old is valuable.
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Example: Using appositives
Merging sentences by renaming a noun, such as 'My brother is a doctor' and 'he lives nearby' into 'My brother, a doctor, lives nearby'.
Original: Sarah is an athlete. She won the race. Combined: Sarah, an athlete, won the race.