Activity 1: Coordinating Conjunctions
Ex: The librarian gave Harry the new book.
Harry read the book that same night. [and]
:: The Librarian gave Harry the new book, and Harry read it that same night.
Ex: Mount Washington in New Hampshire can be a dangerous place to climb. [;]
Each year several climbers die on its slope.
:: Mount Washington in New Hampshire can be a dangerous place to climb; each year several climbers die on its slopes.
DIRECTIONS: Using the model sentences above as a guide, combine on a separate sheet of paper the following pairs of sentences into one sentence. Use the coordinating conjunction or the semicolon shown in parentheses beside the sentences to combine them. If you need to refresh your memory about coordinating conjunctions, turn back to pages 64-65.
1. David gave away his stamp collection. [and]
He got rid of his coins.
2. The grain shipment had to be sent. [or]
There would be much starving in the provinces.
3. The temperature was five degrees below normal in February. [so]
Home heating bills rose by fifteen percent.
4. The night was extremely cold. [;]
Frost covered the windowpanes.
5. The pond was stocked with trout in April. [for]
The supply of fish was down last year.
6. I enjoyed reading the book. [but]
My friend disliked the violence in some of the scenes.
7. Lying around on the beach in the summer is certainly fun. [yet]
Too much sun can harm one's skin.
8. He has not learned his lines. [nor]
He has not attended any of the rehearsals.
9. The thief jumped over the fence. [;]
The police officer quickly followed in pursuit.
10. Michael could not aim the heavy bowling ball. [nor]
He could not roll it the full length of the alley.
Activity 2: Conjunctive Adverbs
Note: The semicolon [;] is used in each of the following sentences.
EX: Try to get home for dinner.
Your dinner will be cold.
:: Try to get home for dinner; otherwise, your dinner will be cold.
DIRECTIONS: Using the model sentence above as a guide, combine on a separate sheet of paper the following pairs of sentences. Use the conjunctive adverb shown in the parentheses beside the sentences to combine them into one sentence.
1. The Academy Awards television show was too long.
The major awards came very late in the program. [moreover]
2. Swimming laps in a pool is very tiring.
It is boring to count as you swim. [besides]
3. Making your own bread is very time consuming.
Homemade bread has a great taste. [however]
4. I am running late right now.
I would help you on those algebra problems. [otherwise]
5. Sandra has received several speeding tickets.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles has delayed her license renewal for 30 days. [consequently]
6. The sky was heavily overcast last night.
James and Jill were unable to see the meteor shower. [therefore]
7. Jenny, the centerfielder, threw the ball to home plate.
The runner on first base ran to second. [meanwhile]
8. Wanda returned the wallet to the storeowner.
She received a reward of five dollars. [subsequently]
9. Joel misplaced his new sweater.
He had nothing for warmth that evening. [thus]
10. Greg could not afford the model airplane.
He bought some small rockets. [instead]
Activity 3: Subordinating Conjunctions
EX: The weather report incorrectly predicted sun and high temperatures today.
We all shivered in our shirtsleeves at the game. [because]
:: Because the weather report incorrectly predicted sun and high temperatures today, we all shivered in our shirt sleeves at the game.
EX: We had a small house on the edge of a cliff.
The heavy rains washed it over the edge. [until]
:: We had a small house on the edge of a cliff until the heavy rains washed it over the edge.
DIRECTIONS: Using the preceding model sentences as a guide, combine on a separate sheet of paper the following pairs of sentences. Use the subordinating conjunction shown in the parentheses beside the sentences to combine them into one sentence. If the idea of lesser importance goes first, be sure to separate the two sentences with a comma.
1. The band conductor looked angry.
The trumpeter played the wrong notes. [when]
2. John must arrive in his homeroom on time tomorrow morning.
He will be spending an hour in detention. [unless]
3. The reporter misunderstood the speakers at the meeting.
The article in the newspaper contained many factual errors. [because]
4. The price of the toy has gone up.
Fewer stores want to carry the item. [since]
5. We had false fire alarms daily in the school.
The principal caught a boy in the act of pulling the lever. [until]
6. The mudslide occurred.
The embankment had little foliage. [where]
7. New Englanders are used to cold weather.
The predictions of subzero temperatures alarm them. [even though]
8. I am not cleaning our bedroom.
You read the sports magazine. [while]
9. The blizzard struck our town.
My family bought a snowblower. [before]
10. I will explain the civics assignment.
You will help me with the math. [if]
Activity 4: Connectives Establishing the Relationship of Addition
DIRECTIONS: On a separate sheet of paper, combine the two sentences in each pair below into one sentence. Choose connectives discussed in the previous exercises. Use as many different ones as you can.
1. Fifty-dollars is the prize for the best essay.
The winner will have lunch with the governor.
2. Henry won the Golden Gloves championship.
He retired from boxing.
3. The hotel will serve breakfast at 8 o'clock.
The tour will begin an hour later.
4. The restaurant was famous for its strawberry cheesecake.
The carrot cake was a favorite.
5. Susan washed the dishes.
Ralph put them away.
6. The ship had a cargo of furniture.
It carried crates of breakable goods.
7. The Bronx Zoo is famous for its ape collection.
It has one of the best reptile houses in the country.
8. I do not feel like having company this afternoon.
I must pack for the trip tomorrow.
Activity 5: Connectives Establishing the Relationship of Contrast or Contradiction
DIRECTIONS: On a separate sheet of paper, combine the two sentences in each group into one sentence. Choose from the connectives discussed above. Use as many different connectives as you can. In some cases, either of the two sentences can be placed first.
1. The stores at the new mall are certainly crowded.
Most of us really enjoy shopping there.
2. Jack has a lot of homework.
He went to the hockey game.
3. Enthusiastic crowds greeted Joan everywhere.
She was doubtful about winning the election.
4. He had climbed many of the world's highest mountains.
He had no intention of going up Mount Rainier.
5. The director offered Tony the lead role in the school play.
He wanted a minor part.
6. There were great bargains at the Acme supermarket yesterday.
Louise bought her groceries at a local store.
7. Wolves can be heard howling in the woods at night.
Not one has been seen by the townspeople.
8. I drink root beer most of the time.
I enjoy an occasional glass of iced tea in the summer.
9. Michelle has a large vocabulary.
She does not enjoy crossword puzzles.
10. The author's first book was a great success.
He has not written a popular book since.
11. There was a dictionary at the student's elbow.
He misspelled several words in the essay.
12. She was extremely shy.
She asked him to the concert.
13. The swimming team could have practiced on Saturday.
The coach gave us the weekend off.
14. The American ice dancers were really quite graceful.
They did not win a medal at the Winter Olympics.
15. Our car had a flat tire on the way to the airport.
We reached the terminal in plenty of time for the flight.
Relationship of Cause (or Reason) and Effect (or Result)
MODEL SENTENCES (not an exercise)
In the model sentences below, you will find two compound sentences connected by coordinating conjunctions (so, for), five compound sentences connected by conjunctive adverbs (consequently, therefore, thus, hence, and accordingly), and three complex sentences connected by subordinating conjunctions (because, as, since, in order that, and so that). Although the connectives all establish a similar relationship between ideas, they have precise distinctions in their meanings that you should understand.
Read each sentence carefully to determine the relationship the connectives have in common.
1. Bruce liked science fiction, so he spent much of his spare time reading books by Asimov.
2. Henry cleaned up his room, for he could not stand the mess any longer.
3. Susan knew the answer to the math problem today because her mother had helped her with her homework last night.
or
Because her mother had helped her with her homework last night, Susan knew the answer to the math problem today.
4. He outlined his ideas in order that he might do well at the interview for the job.
5. She packed her suitcase before going to bed so that she would not be rushed in the morning.
or
So that she would not be rushed in the morning, she packed her suitcase before going to bed.
6. Julia talked for over an hour on the phone to her friend; consequently, her father was unable to call home.
7. The new shoes were almost one size too small; therefore, I have blisters on both my heels.
8. We have not had any rain all summer; thus, last week the mayor restricted the use of water until further notice.
9. Winds have been blowing out of Canada lately; hence, the winter has been extremely cold.
10. The cost of services in the town increased; accordingly, the tax rate rose.
11. The students applauded the soprano as she had sung so beautifully.
12. Since you have finished your work, you may go home.
THE RELATIONSHIP THAT THE UNDERLINED CONNECTIVES ESTABLISH BETWEEN TWO IDEAS IS ONE OF CAUSE (OR REASON) AND EFFECT (OR RESULT).
Activity 6: Connectives Establishing the Relationship of Cause and Effect
DIRECTIONS: On a separate sheet of paper, combine the two sentences in each pair into one sentence. Choose from the connectives discussed on page 6. In some cases, either of the two sentences can be placed first.
Use each of the model connectives at least once.
1. Jack led the team in home runs.
He was the team's most valuable player.
2. Sheila received all A's this year on her report card.
She became a member of the National Honor Society.
3. The track was muddy.
The winning horse did not break the track record.
4. Carl had an upset stomach.
He did not win the hot dog eating contest.
5. Joan's frog had the longest legs.
It easily won the jumping contest.
6. I enjoy professional wrestling.
The wrestlers are so comical.
7. Waldo had never arm-wrestled before in his life.
He lost the opening match.
8. Sandra was not used to her new skateboard.
She fell off it on the first steep turn.
9. I went to Mr. Icarus for lessons.
He is a famous hang-gliding expert.
10. Randy liked to fly his kite on a windy day.
His kite would soar into the sky.
11. Mary has exercised constantly.
Her team won the tug-of-war easily.
12. James won the log rolling championship.
He had learned fancy footwork in Mr. George's dance class.
13. There was a great deal of violence at the roller derby last week.
Mrs. Ryan's children cannot ever again watch that race on TV.
14. Al's dad put a pool table in his den last year.
No one can compete with Al in the latest Boys Club Tournament.
15. The television poll showed no audience interest in trash sports.
The television producer stopped reporting such items.
Relationship of Alternatives
MODEL SENTENCES (not an exercise)
The three model sentences below are compound and use two coordinating conjunctions (or, nor) and one conjunctive adverb (otherwise). Determine the relationship the connectives have in common. Also note that nor is different from or and otherwise.
1. The gym is not open for students after school, nor will any time be provided during the evenings.
2. Janice will help with the cooking of the dinner, or she will take part in the cleanup afterwards.
3. Set your alarm clock an hour early for tomorrow; otherwise, you will miss the bus for the class outing.
THE RELATIONSHIP THAT THE UNDERLINED CONNECTIVES ESTABLISH BETWEEN THE TWO IDEAS IS ONE OF ALTERNATIVES.
Activity 7: Connectives Establishing the Relationship of Alternatives
DIRECTIONS: Combine on a separate sheet of paper the two sentences in each group into one sentence. Choose connectives discussed on page 8.
1. He must practice the piano every day.
His mother will not give him an allowance.
2. The day's picnic along the river was a disappointment.
The dance that night was not any better.
3. She had to buy some cereal and milk for breakfast.
There would be nothing to eat.
4. Ron was not pleased about wearing his tie.
He was not overjoyed about the sports jacket.
5. It had better be sunny tomorrow.
There will be no class-day outing this year.
6. You must keep the dog chained up.