COMBINING SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO COMPOUND SENTENCE

Combining two or more simple sentences into a single compound sentence

A simple sentence has just one clause. Two or more simple sentences can be combined by the use of coordinating conjunctions. Common coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, or, yet, nor, for, so, as well as, not only…but also.

Harry is smart. Harry is handsome.

We can combine these two sentences into one in several ways.

Harry is smart and handsome.
Harry is both smart and handsome.
Harry is smart as well as handsome.
Harry is not only smart but also handsome.

More examples are given below.

He is slow. He is steady.
He is slow but he is steady.

She was annoyed. She said nothing.
She was annoyed but she said nothing.
She was annoyed, yet she said nothing.

I will not oppose your plan. I cannot approve it.
I will not oppose your plan; however, I cannot approve it.

He was all right. He was tired.
He was all right; only he was tired.

Combine the following pairs of sentences into a compound sentence.

1. The way was long. The wind was cold.
2. The wind blew. The lightning splashed. The rain started falling.
3. It was a cold night. We ventured out.
4. He is foolish. He is obstinate.
5. Come in. Go out.
6. Do not be a borrower. Do not be a lender.

Answers

1. The way was long and the wind was cold.
2. The wind blew, the lightning splashed and the rain started falling.
3. It was a cold night but we ventured out.
4. He is foolish and obstinate.
5. Come in or go out. / Either come in or go out.
6. Do not be a borrower or a lender. / Be neither a borrower nor a lender.