METU / SFL INTERMEDIATE GROUP Fall 2022

DBE (Instructor’s Copy)

WHO 2
COMBINING SENTENCES I
Objectives: The students will have
 gained awareness of the function, meaning and use of conjunctions: and, so, but, yet, or
 practiced joining sentences with conjunctions,
 gained awareness of the function, meaning and use of transition connectors of addition, result and
contrast: moreover/in addition; therefore/as a result; however
 practiced combining sentences with transition connectors,
 gained awareness of the use of punctuation with transition connectors
A. COMBINING SENTENCES USING CONJUNCTIONS
One of the most common ways to connect sentences is to use the connecting words and, but, or, yet and
so. These are called conjunctions.
To better understand how sentences are joined, it is necessary to define what an independent clause is.
An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and it makes a complete sentence.
When you join two sentences with and, but, or, yet and so, you create a single sentence with two
independent clauses.
Examples:
* It was raining hard. (an independent clause)
* There was a strong wind. (an independent clause)
* It was raining hard, and there was a strong wind. (two independent clauses combined with “and”)

independent clause (S + V) , conjunction independent clause (S + V)

and / but / or / yet / so

The conjunctions and, but, or, yet and so not only join two clauses, but they also explain the logical
relationship between them.
***Note to the Instructor: For clarity and understanding, starting a sentence with yet, and, but, or any
one of the other conjunctions is acceptable today. It is important that students understand the
difference between subordinating (a dependent clause to an independent clause) and coordinating
conjunctions (two independent clauses together) and how to use them correctly.

Meaning Examples
and addition Finland is a developed country, and its education system is very good.
but contrast I want to study art, but my parents want me to study economics.
yet an unexpected result Someone offered to give him money, but he didn’t want it.
Jack promised to come to the conference with me, yet he changed his
mind at the last minute.
or an alternative / choice I could cook some pasta, or we could order a pizza.
so a result We all have a lot of work to do, so today’s meeting will be short.

Note: Place a comma before and, but, or, yet and so when they join independent clauses. You don’t need
to put a comma when they join just two words.
 Examples:
* Alberto likes ice cream, but he likes apple pie better.
* Alberto likes spaghetti and pizza, but he doesn’t like hot dogs.

TASK 1. Complete each sentence with and, but, or, yet or so. For some, there may be more than one
answer.
1. The movie was about a very serious topic, but/yet there were some very funny moments in it.
2. Children are exposed to many advertisements for unhealthy foods, so parents have to educate their
children about good food and nutrition.
3. We can discuss the report today, or we can wait until tomorrow.
4. The children were playing, and the parents were chatting.

TASK 2. Connect each pair of sentences with but, or, yet, or so. Add a comma where necessary. For
some, there may be more than one answer.
1. There are several hundred languages in the world. Some of them do not have a written form.
There are several hundred languages in the world, but/yet some of them do not have a written form.
2. The number of international companies is increasing. More bilingual workers are needed.
The number of international companies is increasing, so more bilingual workers are needed.
3. To earn money, young people can join a work and travel program abroad. They can do babysitting in
their home country.
To earn money, young people can join a work and travel program abroad, or they can do babysitting
in their home country.
4. There are about one million words in English. Most people use only about ten thousand of them.
There are about one million words in English, but/yet most people use only about ten thousand of
them.
5. Canada has two official languages. Everything is printed in both English and French.
Canada has two official languages, so everything is printed in both English and French.

B. COMBINING SENTENCES WITH A TRANSITION CONNECTOR

Writers can show the logical connection between two independent clauses by using transition connectors
as these connectors enable a smooth flow between ideas. You can use either a full stop or a semi-colon
before the transition word. The transition word is always followed by a comma. Be careful! You cannot join
single words, phrases, or dependent clauses using transition connectors.

TRANSITIONS OF ADDITION
Moreover, furthermore, and in addition are used to provide additional information.
e.g.
* The camp site is very clean ; moreover, its location is perfect.

; in addition,

* The camp site is very clean . Moreover, its location is perfect.

. In addition,

TRANSITIONS OF RESULT
Therefore and as a result provide a result for the previous idea or reason.
e.g.
* Accommodation facilities are limited on the island ; therefore, it is advisable to book in advance.
; as a result,

* Accommodation facilities are limited on the island . Therefore, it is advisable to book in

advance.
. As a result,
TRANSITIONS OF CONTRAST
However is similar to “but” in meaning, and signifies a change in the flow in terms of a contrasting idea, a
different or new subject, or a different angle of a subject.
e.g.
* The British are known for their punctuality. However, the Brazilians tolerate longer delays in everyday
situations.
* Travelers go on holiday for a challenging and long experience; however, tourists go on holiday for
relaxation.
* Travelers go on holiday for a challenging and long experience. However, tourists go on holiday for
relaxation.

TASK 3. Complete the following sentences using the words/phrases in the boxes.

and or therefore yet moreover

1. Living alone can be difficult, yet many people choose to do so.
2. Living alone can be difficult. Therefore, many single people prefer to live with their family or with a
roommate.
3. Living alone can be difficult, and it is usually more expensive than living with a roommate.

but so in addition as a result or

4. Sales of new cars have been down in the past six months, so car dealers are offering lower prices.
5. Sales of new cars have been down in the past six months. As a result, there are fears that workers in
the automobile industry will lose their jobs.
6. Sales of new cars have been down in the past six months, but this is expected to change soon.

TASK 4. Read the following sentences and decide on the logical relationship between them. Then,
choose the correct transition from the parentheses and combine the sentences using it. Don’t forget to
punctuate correctly.
e.g. The president is meeting with his advisers about the crisis. He is going to meet with the members of
Congress later in the day. (as a result / in addition)
The president is meeting with his advisers about the crisis; in addition, he is going to meet with the
members of Congress later during the day.
(Suggested answers)
1. The cafe is close to the hotel and offers reasonably priced meals. It is very popular with tourists.
(however / therefore)
The cafe is close to the hotel and offers reasonably priced meals; therefore, it is very popular with
tourists.
2. Living in a big city offers good job opportunities. It provides good educational opportunities. (moreover
/ therefore)
Living in a big city offers good job opportunities. Moreover, it provides good educational
opportunities.
3. In numerous films and stories, sharks are portrayed as man-eating creatures. Only a few species of
sharks are known to attack humans. (in addition / however)
 In numerous films and stories, sharks are portrayed as man-eating creatures. However, only a few
species of sharks are known to attack humans.
4. Some tourists don’t often tell the truth on market surveys. The results obtained from them are not
always accurate. (therefore / however)
Some tourists don’t often tell the truth on market surveys. Therefore, the results obtained from
them are not always accurate.
5. The workers who went on strike demand higher wages. They want better working conditions. (in
addition / therefore)
The workers who went on strike demand higher wages. In addition, they want better working
conditions.

COMBINING SENTENCES II
Objectives: Students will have
 gained awareness of and practiced dependent and independent clauses,
 gained awareness of and practiced combining sentences using adverb clauses of reason, purpose
and concession: because/as/since; although/though/even though
 gained awareness of the use of punctuation while combining sentences

This part will focus on dependent clauses that are combined with independent clauses by using words
that show reason, purpose and concession.

An independent clause shows a complete thought because it is a complete sentence. On the other
hand, a dependent clause is not a complete sentence because it depends on an independent sentence
to express a complete thought.
Examples:
 Because I woke up late this morning. (dependent clause / incomplete)
 Because I woke up late this morning, I missed the bus. (This is a complete sentence.)
(dependent clause) (independent clause)

A. COMBINING SENTENCES USING ADVERB CLAUSES OF REASON

A dependent clause can show reason using ‘because, as and since’. When it is combined with an
independent clause, together, they form a sentence.
Example:
 Because/As/Since English is easy to learn, it is an international language.
dependent clause independent clause

When a dependent clause comes before the independent clause, it is followed by a comma.
Examples:
 Because/As/Since she has passed her English exams, she feels relieved.
 She feels relieved because/as/since she has passed her English exams.

B. COMBINING SENTENCES WITH ADVERB CLAUSES OF PURPOSE

In order for the writer to show the purpose of the action in the independent clause, ‘to, in order
(not) to, and so that’ are used.
Note that ‘so that’ is followed by a dependent clause while ‘to’ and ‘in order (not) to’ are followed
by an infinitive (V1).
Examples:
 She is learning English because she wants to get better job opportunities.
 She is learning English to/in order to get better job opportunities.
To/In order to get better job opportunities, she is learning English.
 Learners of English can use a ‘collocations dictionary’ if they do not want to confuse word
partnerships.
Learners of English can use a ‘collocations dictionary’ in order not to / not to confuse word
partnerships.
 She is learning English so that she gets / can get /will get better job opportunities.
She has been learning English so that she gets /she can get /she will get better job opportunities.
She was learning English last year so that she got /she could get /she would get better job
opportunities.
“So that” is usually followed by the modal auxiliaries can, could, may, might, will, or would. Can, may,
or will is used when the verb in the main clause is in a present, present perfect, or future tense. Could,
might, or would is used when the verb in the main clause is in a past tense.
present tense so that can / may/ will + bare infinitive

past tense could / might / would + bare infinitive

Examples:
 She is studying very hard this year so that she can pass the exam.
 I closed the door so that the noise in the next room wouldn’t bother me.
 She went to London so that she could see her friends.

TASK 5. Rewrite the sentences with ‘to, in order (not) to and so that’.
1. She went to London. She wanted to learn more about advertising. (in order to)
She went to London in order to learn more about advertising.
2. He is working two jobs at once as he wants to buy a bigger house for his family. (to)
He is working two jobs at once to buy a bigger house for his family.
3. The company spent a lot of money on advertising because they didn’t want the campaign to fail. ( so
that)
The company spent a lot of money on advertising so that the campaign did not/would not fail.
4. She has attended a crash course since she wanted to pick up the basics in English. (in order to)
She has attended a crash course in order to pick up the basics in English.
5. The owner of the company organizes tours and family holidays because he wants his employees to
get to know each other in an informal setting. (so that)
The owner of the company organizes tours and family holidays so that his employees (can/will) get
to know each other in an informal setting.

C. COMBINING SENTENCES WITH ADVERB CLAUSES OF CONCESSION

Dependent sentences are used with the conjunctions ‘although, even though and though’ to show
concession, i.e. an unexpected result.
Examples:
 Although/Even though/Though English is not his native language, he can deliver impressive
presentations in English at meetings.
 Although/Even though/Though language is mostly used for the transmission of information, it
also allows us to access existing knowledge, to draw conclusions, and to set and accomplish
goals.
Note that when a dependent clause comes before the independent clause, it is followed by a comma.
When the dependent and independent clauses change place, there is almost no difference in meaning.

Examples:
 He can deliver impressive presentations in meetings although/even though/though English is
not his native language.
 Although/Even though/Though English is not his native language, he can deliver impressive
presentations in meetings.

TASK 6. Combine the following sentences using an adverb clause of reason (because/as/since) or
concession (although/even though/though).

1. Aluminum is lighter and easier to shape than steel. Many car parts are made of aluminum.
Because/As/Since aluminum is lighter and easier to shape than steel, many car parts are made of
aluminum/it.
2. Many immigrants experience culture shock at first. They get used to the new way of life after some
time.
Although/Even though/Though many immigrants experience culture shock at first, they get used to
the new way of life after some time.
3. He is earning a lot more money now. He can afford to take longer and better holidays.
Because/As/Since he is earning a lot more money now, he can afford to take longer and better
holidays.
4. Home-working has a lot of advantages. Some people do not prefer it.
Although/Even though/Though home-working has a lot of advantages, some people do not prefer it.
5. Students should not be allowed to use phones in class. They are distracted easily.
Students should not be allowed to use phones in class because/as/since they are distracted easily.
6. Public transportation can be expensive and inconvenient. Drivers are reluctant to leave their cars at
home.
Because/As/Since public transportation can be expensive and inconvenient, drivers are reluctant to
leave their cars at home.
7. The staff is having difficulty with the new computer program. They have received extensive training
on it.
The staff is having difficulty with the new computer program although/even though/though they
have
received extensive training on it.
8. Alternative energy sources must be explored as soon as possible. Fossil fuels will not last forever.
Alternative energy sources must be explored as soon as possible because/as/since fossil fuels will not
last forever.