Combining sentences
50 flashcards covering Combining sentences for the SAT Reading & Writing section.
Combining sentences is about joining two or more independent ideas into a single, coherent sentence. This technique helps make writing more concise and fluid by using tools like conjunctions, semicolons, or relative clauses. For example, instead of saying "I went to the store. I bought milk," you might combine them as "I went to the store and bought milk." Mastering this skill improves clarity and strengthens your overall expression in essays and everyday communication.
On the SAT Reading & Writing section, combining sentences often appears in questions that test grammar and punctuation, such as identifying the best way to merge sentences in a passage or fixing errors in sentence structure. Common traps include creating run-on sentences, losing the original meaning, or misusing connectors like commas and conjunctions. Focus on maintaining logical flow, ensuring parallelism, and choosing options that enhance readability without adding unnecessary words. A key strategy is practicing with sample questions to spot these issues quickly.
Remember to check for subject-verb agreement when combining clauses.
Terms (50)
- 01
Compound Sentence
A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction like and, but, or, or with a semicolon to show equal importance.
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Complex Sentence
A complex sentence includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, typically introduced by a subordinating conjunction, to show relationships like cause and effect.
- 03
Coordinating Conjunction
A coordinating conjunction, such as and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet, links words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical rank.
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Subordinating Conjunction
A subordinating conjunction, like because, although, if, or while, connects a dependent clause to an independent clause to indicate relationships such as time, condition, or contrast.
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Semicolon Use
A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning, or separates items in a complex list that contains commas.
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Colon Use
A colon introduces a list, an explanation, or a quotation that follows and expands on the preceding independent clause.
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Relative Clause
A relative clause begins with a relative pronoun like who, which, or that and provides additional information about a noun in the main clause, either essential or non-essential.
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Appositive Phrase
An appositive phrase renames or explains a nearby noun, set off by commas if non-essential, to add detail without changing the sentence's core meaning.
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Participial Phrase
A participial phrase starts with a present or past participle and modifies a noun, adding description while combining ideas into a single sentence.
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Parallel Structure
Parallel structure requires that items in a list or series within a sentence use the same grammatical form to maintain balance and clarity.
- 11
Run-on Sentence
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunction, making the sentence hard to follow.
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Comma Splice
A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma, which is incorrect and can be fixed with a conjunction or semicolon.
- 13
Sentence Fragment
A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, verb, or complete thought, often appearing as a dependent clause standing alone.
- 14
FANBOYS
FANBOYS is an acronym for the coordinating conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so, which are used to connect independent clauses in compound sentences.
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Conjunctive Adverb
A conjunctive adverb, such as however, therefore, or moreover, links independent clauses and indicates relationships like contrast or addition, often preceded by a semicolon.
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Essential Clause
An essential clause provides necessary information to the meaning of the sentence and is not set off by commas, unlike a non-essential clause.
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Non-essential Clause
A non-essential clause adds extra, non-critical information and is set off by commas, allowing it to be removed without altering the sentence's main meaning.
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Subordination
Subordination involves using a subordinating conjunction to make one clause dependent on another, helping to show relationships and vary sentence structure.
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Coordination
Coordination links equal elements with coordinating conjunctions or semicolons, allowing for the combination of ideas of similar importance.
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Transition Words
Transition words, such as moreover, in addition, or on the other hand, connect sentences or clauses to improve flow and logical progression.
- 21
Combining for Conciseness
Combining sentences for conciseness involves merging related ideas into fewer words, often by eliminating redundancy or using phrases instead of separate clauses.
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Avoiding Redundancy
Avoiding redundancy in sentence combining means removing repeated ideas or unnecessary words to make the writing clearer and more efficient.
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Using Appositives for Detail
Using appositives for detail allows writers to add descriptive information about a noun within the same sentence, enhancing clarity without starting a new one.
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Participial Phrases for Modification
Participial phrases for modification describe a noun by providing additional action or detail, effectively combining sentences into a more fluid structure.
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Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns like who, whom, whose, which, and that introduce relative clauses to connect descriptions to nouns in the main sentence.
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Compound-Complex Sentence
A compound-complex sentence combines at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses to express multiple related ideas.
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Dangling Modifier
A dangling modifier is a phrase that doesn't clearly modify the intended word, often resulting from poor sentence combining and leading to confusion.
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Misplaced Modifier
A misplaced modifier is a descriptive phrase placed too far from the word it modifies, which can alter the meaning when sentences are combined incorrectly.
- 29
Idiom in Sentence Combining
An idiom in sentence combining refers to standard phrases that must be used correctly when merging sentences to maintain natural and precise English.
- 30
Passive Voice in Combining
Passive voice in combining shifts focus from the doer to the receiver of the action, useful for varying sentence structure but should be used judiciously.
- 31
Infinitive Phrase
An infinitive phrase, starting with to plus a verb, can combine sentences by expressing purpose or intention related to the main clause.
- 32
Gerund Phrase
A gerund phrase, formed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing) acting as a noun, helps combine sentences by turning actions into subjects or objects.
- 33
Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase, beginning with a preposition like in or on, adds detail to sentences and can be used to merge related ideas smoothly.
- 34
Avoiding Run-ons with Periods
Avoiding run-ons with periods means using full stops to separate independent clauses that are not properly connected, ensuring clear sentence boundaries.
- 35
Fixing Comma Splices with Semicolons
Fixing comma splices with semicolons involves replacing the incorrect comma with a semicolon to properly join two related independent clauses.
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Using Colons for Lists
Using colons for lists introduces a series of items after an independent clause, helping to combine information efficiently within one sentence.
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Parallelism in Lists
Parallelism in lists requires that all items maintain the same grammatical structure when combining sentences, avoiding confusion and improving readability.
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Subordinating for Emphasis
Subordinating for emphasis uses dependent clauses to highlight the less important idea, making the main clause stand out in combined sentences.
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Coordinating for Equality
Coordinating for equality joins ideas of similar weight with conjunctions, ensuring that combined sentences treat both as equally significant.
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Transitions for Contrast
Transitions for contrast, like however or nevertheless, combine sentences to show differences between ideas, enhancing logical connections.
- 41
Combining with Because
Combining with because uses this subordinating conjunction to explain reasons, linking a dependent clause to an independent one for clearer cause-effect.
- 42
Combining with Although
Combining with although introduces a contrast in a dependent clause, allowing writers to merge opposing ideas into a single, balanced sentence.
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Essential Relative Clauses
Essential relative clauses provide crucial information and are not set off by commas, directly integrating details into the main sentence.
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Non-essential Relative Clauses
Non-essential relative clauses add optional information and are set off by commas, permitting extra details without disrupting the core sentence.
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Avoiding Fragments with Clauses
Avoiding fragments with clauses involves ensuring every dependent clause is attached to an independent one, creating complete sentences.
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Semicolons with Transitions
Semicolons with transitions join independent clauses and add a conjunctive adverb, like therefore, to clarify the relationship between ideas.
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Appositives for Renaming
Appositives for renaming provide an alternative name or explanation for a noun, effectively combining descriptive elements into the sentence.
- 48
Participial Phrases for Action
Participial phrases for action describe ongoing or completed actions related to the main clause, merging timelines into one cohesive sentence.
- 49
Parallel Verbs in Combining
Parallel verbs in combining ensure that verbs in a series match in form, such as all in present tense, to maintain consistency across joined ideas.
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Redundancy in Repetition
Redundancy in repetition occurs when combined sentences repeat the same information, which should be eliminated for concise and effective writing.