Combining Sentences

0601.1.7 Identify within context a variety of appropriate sentence-combining techniques.

Introduction

When should you combine sentences?

Wouldn’t it be boring to have the exact same weather...

every... day?single...

Notice how too many short sentences make this paragraph boring to read.Now see how sentence combining makes the paragraph shorter and more interesting.

Reading the same type of sentence over and over again can also be boring.

Thomas Edison created a talking doll. He created the talking doll in 1894. The doll would recite a nursery rhyme or poem. It said the words when a crank in its back was turned. The talking doll was very popular. Edison opened a factory.

Thomas Edison created a talking doll in 1894. The doll would recite a nursery rhyme or poem when a crank in its back was turned. The talking doll was very popular, and Edison opened a factory.

[End of Section]

When should you combine sentences?Too many short sentences

Combining Sentences with

Compound Subjects and Predicates

Combining Sentences with

Compound Subjects

Short SentencesOrville Wright was a pilot.Wilbur Wright was a pilot, too.

The sentences have two different subjects doing the same action (predicate).

Combining Sentences with

Compound Subjects

Short SentencesOrville Wright was a pilot.Wilbur Wright was a pilot, too.

New and Improved SentenceOrville and Wilbur Wright were pilots.

Combining Sentences with

Compound Predicates

Short SentencesThe brothers owned a bicycle shop.They explored the idea of flying.

Both sentences have the same subject doing two different actions (predicate).

Combining Sentences with

Compound Predicates

Short SentencesThe brothers owned a bicycle shop.They explored the idea of flying.

New and Improved SentenceThe brothers owned a bicycle shop and

explored the idea of flying.

Combining Sentences with

a Series of Words or Phrases

Combining Sentences with

Words or Phrases

Short SentencesHot air balloons can be made of nylon. They can be made of acrylic. They can be made of polyester.

BORING! Why would you keep repeating the same thing?

Combining Sentences with

Words or Phrases

Short SentencesHot air balloons can be made of nylon. They can be made of acrylic. They can be made of polyester.

New and Improved SentenceHot air balloons can be made of nylon, acrylic, or polyester.

Combining Sentences with

Words or Phrases

Short SentencesThe hot air balloon is an aircraft that has an envelope to hold hot air. It has a basket to carry people. It has a heating system to warm the air in the balloon.

Combining Sentences with

Words or Phrases

New and Improved SentenceThe hot air balloon is an aircraft that has an envelope to hold hot air, a basket to carry people, and a heating system to warm the air in the balloon.

What Did We Learn?

0601.1.7 Identify within context a variety of appropriate sentence-combining techniques.

*Compound Subject

*Compound Predicate

*Series of Words or Phrases

Combining SentencesFACE OFF

• The class will be divided into TWO teams.• A player from each team will come to the

board for a FACE OFF!• I will display some short, choppy

sentences.• The first player to write a correct new and

improved sentence earns a point for his/her team.

Round 1

The Model T was a Ford design. The Model A was a Ford design.

Round 2

Assembly lines cut costs. They gave many people jobs.

Round 3

Sam drinks milk at breakfast. He drinks milk at lunch. He drinks milk at dinner.

Round 4

I need to clean my house. I need to wash my car.

Round 5

The kids built a clubhouse. They created club rules. They made up a secret handshake.

Round 6

Johnny loves sports and plays hockey. He plays baseball. He plays football.

Round 7

The Wright brothers built the first airplane. They flew the first airplane.

Round 8

Mrs. Cline enjoys reading good books. Mrs. Scott enjoys reading good books.

Round 9

My skateboard is new. My skateboard is fast. It’s awesome.

Round 10

Mexican food is good. Italian food is good.

Round 11

I will shop for new shoes. I will shop for a new hat. I will shop for a sweatshirt.