Ways of combining two or more simple sentences into one simple sentence
By using a preposition + noun / gerund
Study the following sentences.
- She had many shortcomings. But she was a nice woman.
- In spite of having many shortcomings, she was a nice woman.
- Tagore was a great poet. He was a good painter.
- Besides being a great poet, Tagore was a good painter.
By using an adverb or adverbial phrase
- He will win the first prize. That is certain.
- He will certainly win the first prize.
- They decided to start a business. All agreed to this.
- They unanimously decided to start a business.
Exercise
Complete the following sentences.
1. ........................................ many shortcomings, she was a nice woman.
Correct!
Wrong!
2. ..................................... a great poet, Tagore was a good painter.
Correct!
Wrong!
3. ...................................... a jackpot, he built a big mansion.
Correct!
Wrong!
4. ...................................... on tip-toe, he reached for the apple.
Correct!
Wrong!
5. The rain ......................................... we continued our journey.
Correct!
Wrong!
6. James is going to the US ................................... higher education.
Correct!
Wrong!
7. ...................................... a great conqueror, Caesar failed to unite the various conquered territories into a well-knit empire.
Correct!
Wrong!
Answers
- In spite of having many shortcomings, she was a nice woman.
- Besides being a great poet, Tagore was a good painter.
- Having won a jackpot, he built a big mansion.
- Standing on tip-toe, he reached for the apple.
- The rain having stopped we continued our journey.
- James is going to the US to pursue higher education.
- Despite being a great conqueror, Caesar failed to unite the various conquered territories into a well-knit empire.
