Sentences
Joining two sentences into one
Join two short sentences with the conjunction that adds the right meaning — a reason, a contrast, a time or a condition.
"It was raining. We stayed indoors." Two facts, side by side, and the reader has to work out for themselves how they are connected. A conjunction does that work for them: "We stayed indoors because it was raining." One sentence now, and it says something the two separate ones did not.
And, but, or — the ones you already use
And adds. But contrasts. Or offers a choice. They sit between the two halves: I called out, but nobody answered.
The ones worth adding now
because gives the reason. so gives the result. although and though admit something surprising. when, while and until say at what time. if says on what condition.
Either half can come first
The lights stayed on although the hall was empty. Although the hall was empty, the lights stayed on. Same meaning. When the joining word starts the sentence, a comma marks where the first half ends.
Worked example
Join these two: The river rose overnight. The village was cut off.
Work out how they are connected. The second happened as a result of the first.
The connection decides the word. Get this wrong and the sentence says something untrue.
Try it together
Join three pairs, one connection at a time.
Each pair needs a different joining word. Write just the one word.
1.The film was long. Nobody left before the end. Which one word admits the surprise: although, because or until?
Have a go
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Ready to practise?
Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.