In each exercise, you will practice combining
sentences using the following varieties: simple, compound, complex,
compound-complex, prepositional phrases of location, adverbs of negation and
time, and conditional sentence structures. Each exercise will give you specific
instructions regarding the sentence type or subject verb inversion to use. Using
a sheet of paper, combine the sentences according to the instructions. Then
scroll down your screen to see the possible answer. Your goal is to complete ten
exercises in a row, or until you feel comfortable using a variety of sentences
structures in your writing.
Exercise 1
Combine the following two sentences into a compound
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "and."
The boxing match will take place in Las Vegas. More
than twenty thousand spectators will pay to see the fight.
Possible answer: The boxing match will take place in
Las Vegas, and more than twenty thousand spectators will pay to see the
fight.
Exercise 2
Separate the following sentence into three separate
sentences.
By the time the study was completed, they had
determined that fourteen thousand students die each year due to alcohol
related accidents, which is why new laws should be passed against binge
drinking at college parties.
Possible answer: The study was completed. They had
determined that fourteen thousand students die each year due to alcohol
related accidents. This is why new laws should be passed against binge
drinking at college parties.
Exercise 3
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using the dependent clause connector
"provided."
Billy will be a guest on the David Lettermen Show. He
will get back from his trip to Europe by Thursday.
Possible answer: Billy will be a guest on the David
Lettermen Show provided he gets back from his trip to Europe by Thursday.
Exercise 4
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "but" and the
dependent clause connector "whose."
Steven Jones’ boss suggested that he retire. Steven
has decided to continue working. He will not work at his boss’s company.
Possible answer: Steven Jones, whose boss suggested that
he retire , has decided to continue working, but he will not work at his
boss’s company.
Exercise 5
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
prepositional phrase "next to the mountains" at the beginning,
after which you will need to change the word order.
The campus of California State University, San
Bernardino lies next to the mountains.
Possible answer: Next to the mountains lies the campus
of California State University, San Bernardino.
Exercise 6
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb
"scarcely ever" at the beginning, after which you will need to
change the word order.
His professor has scarcely ever arrived
to class late.
Possible answer: Scarcely ever has his professor
arrived to class late.
Exercise 7
Omit the conditional clause connector "if" in
this sentence, after which you will need to change the word order
If I
had known that there were police officers monitoring the speed of traffic
on Interstate 15, I would have driven within the speed limit.
Possible answer: Had I known that there were police
officers monitoring the speed of traffic on Interstate 15, I would have
driven within the speed limit.
Exercise 8
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
participle "situated along the coast of California" at the
beginning of the sentence.
The cities of Newport, Huntington, and Laguna Beaches
are situated along the coast of California.
Possible answer: Situated along the coast of California
are the cities of Newport, Huntington, and Laguna Beaches.
Exercise 9
Combine the following two sentences into a compound
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "so."
It was a really hot day. Jane and her family decided to
go to the beach.
Possible answer: It was a really hot day, so Jane and
her family decided to go to the beach.
Exercise 10
Separate the following sentence into five separate
sentences.
How many of the students were actually prepared to take
the test was uncertain, whereas how many of them had been attending class
was certain, so it was important for the teacher to monitor both class
preparation and attendance.
Possible answer: How many of the students were actually
prepared to take the test? This (question) was uncertain. (In contrast,)
how many of them had been attending class? This (question) was certain.
(Therefore,) it was important for the teacher to monitor both class
participation and attendance.
Exercise 11
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using the dependent clause connector
"wherever."
With no plan in mind, I usually run. My dogs and I
decide to go.
Possible answer: With no plan in mind, I usually run
wherever my dogs and I decide to go.
Exercise 12
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "or" and the
dependent clause connectors "inasmuch as" and "if."
Mary passes the driver’s test on Friday. She will be
able to drive to the beach with her friends. She doesn’t pass the test.
Her parents will have to be the designated drivers.
Possible answer: Inasmuch as Mary passes the driver’s
test on Friday, she will be able to drive to the beach with her friends,
or if she doesn’t pass the test, her parents will have to be the
designated drivers.
Exercise 13
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
prepositional phrase "near the desk beneath a pile of papers" at
the beginning, after which you will need to change the word order.
The most important document of her life rests near
the desk beneath a pile of papers.
Possible answer: Near the desk beneath a pile of papers
rests the most important document of her life.
Exercise 14
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb
"not for all the money in the world" at the beginning, after
which you will need to change the word order.
I would not dishonor my parents for
all the money in the world.
Possible answer: Not for all the money in the world
would I dishonor my parents.
Exercise 15
Omit the conditional clause connector "if" in
this sentence, after which you will need to change the word order.
If
Kent were given a raise, he would have been able to purchase a new home.
Possible answer: Were Kent given a raise, he would have
been able to purchase a new home.
Exercise 16
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
participle at the beginning of the sentence.
John, sitting in the back of the room engaged in
conversation with a good friend from the past, succeeded in
disrupting the professor’s lecture.
Possible answer: Sitting in the back of the room
engaged in conversation with a good friend from the past, John succeeded
in disrupting the professor’s lecture.
Exercise 17
Combine the following two sentences into a compound
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "but."
Susan Sorenson is a good candidate to run for class
president in that she has a lot of experience working with people. She
most likely will not run since she is too serious about maintaining a
perfect grade point average.
Possible answer: Susan Sorenson is a good candidate to
run for class president in that she has a lot of experience working with
people, but she most likely will not run since she is too serious about
maintaining a perfect grade point average.
Exercise 18
Separate the following sentence into three separate
sentences.
As soon as Larry finishes taking his test, he will go
to the movies with his friends, all of whom have already graduated from
high school.
Possible answer: Larry will finish taking his test. He
will go to the movies with his friends. All of them have already graduated
from high school.
Exercise 19
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using the dependent clause connector "now
that."
Karen has graduated from college. She can apply for an
executive job at her friend’s company.
Possible answer: Now that Karen has graduated from
college, she can apply for an executive job at her friend’s company.
Exercise 20
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence(s) using the coordinating conjunction "yet" and the
dependent clause connector "though." You should consider using a
semi-colon.
Kent has permission to change schools. It seems that he
will stay where he is currently studying. If he did change, it would be
much better for his future.
Possible answer: Though Kent has permission to change
schools, it seems that he will stay where he is currently studying; yet if
he did change, it would be much better for his future.
Exercise 21
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
prepositional phrase "inside the car" at the beginning, after
which you will need to change the word order.
The cellular phone for which you have been looking is inside
the car.
Possible answer: Inside the car is the cellular phone
for which you have been looking.
Exercise 22
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb
"not often" at the beginning, after which you will need to
change the word order.
Our teacher has not often been absent
from class.
Possible answer: Not often has our teacher been absent
from class.
Exercise 23
Omit the conditional clause connector "if" in
this sentence, after which you will need to change the word order.
If Thomas
were at the funeral, he would be able to say goodbye to his best friend.
Possible answer: Were Thomas at the funeral, he would
be able to say goodbye to his best friend.
Exercise 24
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
participle at the beginning of the sentence.
Jackson Ruben, having been a professional
baseball pitcher for several years, was a good candidate to coach
the high school baseball team.
Possible answer: Having been a professional baseball
pitcher for several years, Jackson Ruben was a good candidate to coach the
high school baseball team.
Exercise 25
Combine the following sentences into a compound
sentence using the coordinating conjunctions "and"and
"but."
It was a sunny day. The temperature was perfect. It was
just too windy to swim.
Possible answer: It was a sunny day, and the
temperature was perfect, but it was just too windy to swim.
Exercise 26
Separate the following sentence into three separate
sentences.
Riding a bike for at least thirty minutes strengthens
the legs, and running for a period of twenty minutes makes the heart
stronger, so as you continue to exercise, you will notice a dramatic
improvement in your health.
Possible answer: Riding a bike for at least thirty
minutes strengthens the legs. Running for a period of twenty minutes makes
the heart stronger. (Consequently) as you continue to exercise, you will
notice a dramatic improvement in your health.
Exercise 27
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using the dependent clause connector "whereby."
This is the solution. He will be able to attend school,
to have a full-time job, and to spend time with his family on the
weekends.
Possible answer: This is the solution whereby he will
be able to attend school, to have a full-time job, and to spend time with
his family on the weekends.
Exercise 28
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "and" and the
dependent clause connectors "where" and "whom."
You choose to study somewhere. This is an important
decision. You choose to live with someone. This affects your quality of
life while you are a student.
Possible answer: Where you choose to study is an
important decision, and with whom you choose to live affects your quality
of life while you are a student.
Exercise 29
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
prepositional phrase "at the end of the street" at the
beginning, after which you will need to change the word order.
An old house whose windows and doors had been broken by
vandals was at the end of the street.
Possible answer: At the end of the street was an old
house whose windows and doors had been broken by vandals.
Exercise 30
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb
"little" at the beginning, after which you will need to change
the word order.
The workers knew little that they would
be terminated by the end of the week
Possible answer: Little did the workers know that they
would be terminated by the end of the week
Exercise 31
Omit the conditional clause connector "if" in
this sentence, after which you will need to change the word order.
If Susan
had been at the meeting, she would have known about the new changes.
Possible answer: Had Susan been at the meeting, she
would have known about the new changes.
Exercise 32
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
participle at the beginning of the sentence.
The poodle, wandering in the woods desperately to
find her owner, became weak due to a lack of food.
Possible answer: Wandering in the woods desperately to
find her owner, the poodle became weak due to a lack of food.
Exercise 33
Combine the following two sentences into a compound
sentence using the appropriate coordinating conjunction.
Palm Springs, California is a nice place to visit in
the winter. It is too hot for most tourists during the summer.
Possible answer: Palm Springs, California is a nice
place to visit in the winter, but (yet) it is too hot for most tourists
during the summer.
Exercise 34
Separate the following sentence into three separate
sentences.
The man that came to my house yesterday offered me a
job at his company, and he said that I could have a new car as part of the
hiring package.
Possible answer: The man came to my house yesterday. He
offered me a job at his company. He said that I could have a new car as
part of the hiring package.
Exercise 35
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using an appropriate dependent clause connector.
Two stores are closing next week. They will be laying
off a total of 3,000 workers.
Possible answer: Two stores which (that) are closing
next week will be laying off a total of 3,000 workers.
Exercise 36
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "but" and the
dependent clause connector "to whom."
John spoke to a man. The man offered to lend him money
for his business. He set the interest at an unreasonable rate of
twenty-two percent.
Possible answer: The man to whom John spoke offered to
lend him money for his business, but he set the interest at an
unreasonable rate of twenty-two percent.
Exercise 37
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
prepositional phrase "at the front of the battle lines" at the
beginning, after which you will need to change the word order.
Dozens of Army tanks, all of which were capable of
shooting threatening enemy aircraft, were at the front of the battle
lines.
Possible answer: At the front of the battle lines were
dozens of Army tanks, all of which were capable of shooting threatening
enemy aircraft.
Exercise 38
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb
"not for anything" at the beginning, after which you will need
to change the word order.
I would not sell my 1957 vintage Corvette
for anything.
Possible answer: Not for anything would I sell my 1957
vintage Corvette.
Exercise 39
Omit the conditional clause connector "if" in
this sentence, after which you will need to change the word order.
If
the students had been attentive in class, they would have taken better
notes.
Possible answer: Had the students been attentive in
class, they would have taken better notes.
Exercise 40
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
participle at the beginning of the sentence.
The chef, mixing the spices vigorously into the
chili, eagerly prepared the meal, which had been prepared for many
Hollywood stars.
Possible answer: Mixing the spices vigorously into the
chili, the chef eagerly prepared the meal, which had been prepared for
many Hollywood stars.
Exercise 41
Combine the following two sentences into a compound
sentence using a coordinating conjunction. Do not use "but."
I understand Mike’s frustration with his roommate
playing the music at all hours of the night. I cannot understand why he
called the police.
Possible answer: I understand Mike’s frustration with
his roommate playing the music at all hours of the night, yet I cannot
understand why he called the police.
Exercise 42
Separate the following sentence into four separate
sentences.
I am unsure whether or not she will accompany me to the
dance, and I do not know if my friends are going either.
Possible answer: I am unsure. Will she accompany me to
the dance? I do not know. Will my friends go.
Exercise 43
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using the dependent clause connector "how."
Do you know something? How do you fix this television?
Possible answer: Do you know how to fix this
television?
Exercise 44
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "so" and dependent
clause connector "what."
I told him to continue taking the class. He did not drop
the class because of my recommendation.
Possible answer: What I told him was to continue taking
the class, so he did not drop the class because of my recommendation.
Exercise 45
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
prepositional phrase "underneath a canopy of millions of brilliant
stars" at the beginning, after which you will need to change the word
order.
Campers from many countries were underneath a
canopy of millions of brilliant stars.
Possible answer: Underneath a canopy of millions of
brilliant stars were campers from many countries.
Exercise 46
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb
"on no account" at the beginning, after which you will need to
change the word order.
She will be able to pay her taxes by the middle of
April (on no account).
Possible answer: On no account will she be able to pay
her taxes by the middle of April.
Exercise 47
Omit the conditional clause connector "if" in
this sentence, after which you will need to change the word order.
If
the police officer had arrived at the bank sooner, he might have been able
to prevent the shooting.
Possible answer: Had the police officer arrived at the
bank sooner, he might have been able to prevent the shooting.
Exercise 48
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
participle at the beginning of the sentence.
The Osbourne Street house, run down by tenants
whose only goal was total destruction, was in need of major
repairs to the roof, walls, windows, doors, and garage.
Possible answer: Run down by tenants whose only goal
was total destruction, the Osbourne Street house was in need of major
repairs to the roof, walls, windows, doors, and garage.
Exercise 49
Combine the following two sentences into a compound
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "and."
Susan drives to work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
She car-pools with her friend on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Possible answer: Susan drives to work on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday, and she car-pools with her friend on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.
Exercise 50
Separate the following sentence into three separate
sentences.
The problem which is preventing us from going on
vacation in the Bahamas can be easily solved as long as your father gives
us a temporary loan of money.
Possible answer: A problem is preventing us from going
on vacation in the Bahamas. The problem can be easily solved. Your father
gives us a temporary loan of money.
Exercise 51
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using the dependent clause connector "while."
(During that time) you go to the bank to deposit your
check. I will weed the flower beds in front of the house.
Possible answer: While you go to the bank to deposit
your check, I will weed the flower beds in front of the house.
Exercise 52
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "so" and the
dependent clause connectors "because" and "if."
I will not be able to see a movie today. I have too much
homework. You might have to see it alone. You really want to go.
Possible answer: I will not be able to see a movie today
because I have too much homework, so you might have to see it alone if you
really want to go.
Exercise 53
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
prepositional phrase "beyond the edge of the horizon" at the
beginning, after which you will need to change the word order.
The setting sun is beyond the edge of the
horizon.
Possible answer: Beyond the edge of the horizon is the
setting sun.
Exercise 54
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb
"under no circumstances" at the beginning, after which you will
need to change the word order.
You should leave your three-year old brother alone
during the day (under no circumstances).
Possible answer: Under no circumstances should you
leave your three-year old brother alone during the day.
Exercise 55
Omit the conditional clause connector "if" in
this sentence, after which you will need to change the word order.
If
we had talked to John beforehand about borrowing his car, we could have
prevented a serious misunderstanding.
Possible answer: Had we talked to John beforehand about
borrowing his car, we could have prevented a serious misunderstanding.
Exercise 56
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
participle at the beginning of the sentence.
The rock slide, sliding at breakneck speed down
the mountain, took out two lanes of the mountain road, hence
causing closure for ten days.
Possible answer: Sliding at breakneck speed down the
mountain, the rock slide took out two lanes of the mountain road, hence
causing closure for ten days.
Exercise 57
Combine the following two sentences into a compound
sentence using a coordinating conjunction.
We can visit a museum. We can go over to the fair.
(alternative)
Possible answer: We can visit a museum, or we can go
over to the fair.
Exercise 58
Combine the following sentences into a complex sentence
using the dependent clause connectors "when," and
"although."
She finishes her shift today. I will see if she wants
to go with us. I am not sure what time she actually gets off.
Possible answer: When she finishes her shift today, I
will see if she wants to go with us although I am not sure what time she
actually gets off.
Exercise 59
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using the dependent clause connector
"providing."
I will lend him my car. He promises to bring it back by
10:00 p.m.
Possible answer: I will lend him my car providing he
promises to bring it back by 10:00 p.m.
Exercise 60
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "or" and dependent
clause connectors "why," and "whether or not."
I need to know something. Why did he make the stupid
decision to call up his ex-wife? At the very least, I need to know this.
Is he getting cold feet before our wedding day?
Possible answer: I need to know why he made the stupid
decision to call up his ex-wife, or at the very least, I need to know
whether or not he is getting cold feet before our wedding day.
Exercise 61
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
prepositional phrase "on top of the aircraft" at the beginning,
after which you will need to change the word order.
A helicopter was getting ready for takeoff on top
of the aircraft.
Possible answer: On top of the aircraft was a
helicopter getting ready for takeoff.
Exercise 62
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb at
the beginning, after which you will need to change the word order.
Tom hardly ever exercises in the
mornings.
Possible answer: Hardly ever does Tom exercise in the
mornings.
Exercise 63
Omit the conditional clause connector "if" in
this sentence, after which you will need to change the word order.
If Sharon
were rich, she would buy a new automobile.
Possible answer: Were Sharon rich, she would buy a new
automobile.
Exercise 64
Combine the following two sentences into a compound
sentence using a coordinating conjunction.
We will try to get back to your house by 5:00 this
afternoon. If we don’t get back at that time, you will have to eat
dinner without us. (contrast)
Possible answer: We will try to get back to your house
by 5:00 this afternoon, but if we don’t get back at that time, you will
have to eat dinner without us.
Exercise 65
Separate the following sentence into three separate
sentences.
When it is time, we will all go to the beach for our
party although I do not think that there will be enough room for everyone
to go in the same car.
Possible answer: It is time. We will all go to the
beach for our party. I do not think that there will be enough room for
everyone to go in the same car.
Exercise 66
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using the dependent clause connector"providing."
He gets enough sponsors. He will be able to study at
Harvard University.
Possible answer: Providing he gets enough sponsors, he
will be able to study at Harvard University.
Exercise 67
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "and" and the
dependent clause connectors "why" and "where."
Why has the company decided to go out of business? This
is the question on most people’s minds. Where will the company relocate
its business? This is also a matter of consideration.
Possible answer: Why the company has decided to go out
of business is the question on most people’s minds, and where the
company will relocate its business is also a matter of consideration.
Exercise 68
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the
prepositional phrase "at the end of the hall" at the beginning,
after which you will need to change the word order.
The student office is at the end of the hall.
Possible answer: At the end of the hall is the student
office.
Exercise 69
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb
"only on one occasion" at the beginning, after which you will
need to change the word order.
She has parked her car by the Student Union building only
on one occasion.
Possible answer: Only on one occasion has she parked
her car by the Student Union building.
Exercise 70
Omit the conditional clause connector "if" in
this sentence, after which you will need to change the word order.
If he
had had more time, he would have stayed at the library for a few more
hours.
Possible answer: Had he had more time, he would have
stayed at the library for a few more hours.
Exercise 71
Combine the following two sentences into a compound
sentence using a coordinating conjunction. Do not use "but."
I would love to go on a vacation to St. George. I do
not have any free time to take the trip. (contrast)
Possible answer: I would love to go on a vacation to
St. George, yet I do not have any free time to take the trip.
Exercise 72
Separate the following sentence into four separate
sentences.
In case Jane is not ready to go when we arrive, we will
watch television until she is ready.
Possible answer: Jane is not ready to go. We arrive. We
will watch television. She is ready.
Exercise 73
Combine the following two sentences into a
complex sentence using the dependent clause connector "once."
We have finished working on the interior part of the
house. We will begin the landscaping.
Possible answer: Once we have finished working on the
interior part of the house, we will begin the landscaping.
Exercise 74
Combine the following sentences into a compound-complex
sentence using the coordinating conjunction "so" and the
dependent clause connector "who."
The man went to the bank. He deposited his check. Now he
has sufficient funds in his account to pay the escrow fees on his new
house.
Possible answer: The man who went to the bank deposited
his check, so now he has sufficient funds in his account to pay the escrow
fees on his new house.
Exercise 75
Rewrite the following sentence by placing
the prepositional phrase "behind the car" at the beginning,
after which you will need to change the word order.
A large sum of stolen money which had been placed there
by the fleeing robbers was behind the car.
Possible answer: Behind the car was a large sum of
stolen money which had been placed there by the fleeing robbers.
Exercise 76
Rewrite the following sentence by placing the adverb
"in no way" at the beginning, after which you will need to
change the word order.
The judge will in no way find the
defendant guilty of first degree murder.
