English Grammar

Synthesis of sentences - III

Ways of combining two or more simple sentences into one compound sentence

A compound sentence has two or more co-ordinate clauses. It can be formed only with the help of coordinating conjunctions.

By using and, both … and, not only … but also, as well as

These conjunctions add one statement to another.

• Peter got up. He went to the market.
• Peter got up and went to the market.
• He had many friends. He also had several enemies.
• Not only had he many friends but also several enemies.
• Tom passed the test. John also passed the test.
• Tom as well as John passed the test.

By using but, yet, whereas, nevertheless

These conjunctions are used when contrasting statements have to be joined together.

• He is ill. He is cheerful.
• He is ill but he is cheerful.
• He is rich. He is miserable.
• He is rich, yet miserable.
• Tom is ambitious. His brother is quite the reverse.
• Tom is ambitious whereas his brother is quite the reverse.
• There was little hope of success. They decided to perform the operation.
• There was little hope of success, nevertheless they decided to perform the operation.

By using or, either … or, nor, neither … nor, otherwise, else

These conjunctions are used when two alternative facts or statements have to be presented.

• You can have tea. You can have coffee.
• You can have tea or coffee.
• He is a fool. He is a madman.
• He is either a fool or a mad man.
• He doesn’t smoke. He doesn’t drink.
• He neither smokes nor drinks.
• He will not spend his money. He will not invest it.
• He will neither spend his money nor invest it.
• You must apologize. You will be punished.
• You must apologize, otherwise you will be punished.

By using for, so

These are used when you have to make an inference from another statement or fact.

• He must be asleep. There is no light in his room.
• He must be asleep for there is no light in his room.
• He has been working hard. He will pass.
• He has been working hard so he will pass.

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