Lesson 3.

1: Varying Sentence Beginnings

Explanation

To avoid monotony, vary how sentences begin. You can start with:

1. Subject: The dog barked loudly.

2. Prepositional phrase: In the garden, the dog barked loudly.

3. Adverb: Suddenly, the dog barked loudly.

4. -ing phrase: Barking loudly, the dog startled everyone.

5. Subordinate clause: When it got dark, the dog barked loudly.

Examples

1. Subject: The rain started falling.

Adverb: Suddenly, the rain started falling.

2. Subject: She opened the door.

Prepositional phrase: At midnight, she opened the door.

3. Subject: Birds sang in the trees.

-ing phrase: Singing beautifully, birds filled the trees.

4. Subject: The car broke down.

Subordinate clause: Because it was old, the car broke down.

5. Subject: I finished my homework.

Adverb: Quickly, I finished my homework.

Exercise 1: Rewrite the sentences to vary their beginnings.

1. The child ran across the field.

2. He heard a loud noise in the room.

3. The teacher explained the problem.

 4. The dog chased the ball.

5. A car stopped in front of the house.

6. She completed her project before lunch.

7. The man walked into the office.

8. The birds flew over the lake.

9. We waited for the bus in the rain.

10. The cat slept on the windowsill.

Answers

1. Across the field, the child ran.

2. In the room, he heard a loud noise.

3. After lunch, the teacher explained the problem.

4. Chasing happily, the dog ran after the ball.

5. In front of the house, a car stopped.

6. Before lunch, she completed her project.

7. Walking confidently, the man entered the office.

8. Over the lake, the birds flew.

9. In the rain, we waited for the bus.

10. On the windowsill, the cat slept peacefully.

Lesson 3.2: Combining Sentences - Compound Subjects and Verbs

Explanation

Combining sentences reduces repetition and improves flow.

• Compound subject: Two subjects perform the same action.

 • John plays soccer. Sarah plays soccer. → John and Sarah play
soccer.

• Compound verb: One subject performs two or more actions.

• John runs. John jumps. → John runs and jumps.

Examples

1. Mike plays football. Steve plays football. → Mike and Steve play
football.

2. Lisa sings. Lisa dances. → Lisa sings and dances.

3. The dog barked. The dog wagged its tail. → The dog barked and
wagged its tail.

4. Anna reads books. Anna writes stories. → Anna reads books and
writes stories.

5. The birds chirped. The birds flew. → The birds chirped and flew.

Exercise 2: Combine the sentences using compound subjects or compound

verbs.

1. The teacher called the students. The principal called the

students.

2. Sam bought a book. Sam read the book.

3. The flowers bloomed. The flowers smelled sweet.

4. Jenny plays the piano. Jenny sings beautifully.

5. The boy ran to the park. The boy played soccer.

6. Mary ate dinner. Mary cleaned the kitchen.

7. The train arrived late. The train left quickly.

8. Paul joined the team. Michael joined the team.

9. The baby cried loudly. The baby kicked its legs.

10. The sun set. The stars appeared.

Answers

1. The teacher and the principal called the students.

2. Sam bought and read the book.

3. The flowers bloomed and smelled sweet.

4. Jenny plays the piano and sings beautifully.

5. The boy ran to the park and played soccer.

6. Mary ate dinner and cleaned the kitchen.

7. The train arrived late and left quickly.

8. Paul and Michael joined the team.

9. The baby cried loudly and kicked its legs.

10. The sun set and the stars appeared.

Lesson 3.3: Combining Sentences - Using Coordinating Conjunctions

Explanation

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) connect
two independent clauses.

• Example: It was raining. We canceled the picnic. → It was raining,

so we canceled the picnic.

Examples

1. I was tired. I went to bed. → I was tired, so I went to bed.

2. He loves pizza. He doesn’t like burgers. → He loves pizza, but he

doesn’t like burgers.

3. She could stay home. She could go to the party. → She could stay
home or go to the party.
 4. John studied hard. He passed the test. → John studied hard, and
he passed the test.

5. I wanted to help. I didn’t know how. → I wanted to help, but I

didn’t know how.

Exercise 3: Combine the sentences using coordinating conjunctions.

1. I was hungry. I made a sandwich.

2. The weather was bad. We decided to stay home.

3. She enjoys playing the piano. She doesn’t like singing.

4. The phone rang. I didn’t hear it.

5. He wanted to come. He didn’t have a ride.

6. We can watch a movie. We can play a board game.

7. She was tired. She kept working.

8. The bus was full. I walked to school.

9. Jack finished his homework. He went outside to play.

10. The cake was delicious. Everyone asked for seconds.

Answers

1. I was hungry, so I made a sandwich.

2. The weather was bad, so we decided to stay home.

3. She enjoys playing the piano, but she doesn’t like singing.

4. The phone rang, but I didn’t hear it.

5. He wanted to come, but he didn’t have a ride.

6. We can watch a movie or play a board game.

7. She was tired, yet she kept working.

8. The bus was full, so I walked to school.

9. Jack finished his homework, and he went outside to play.

 10. The cake was delicious, and everyone asked for seconds.

Lesson 3.4: Combining Sentences - Inserting Phrases

Explanation

Phrases provide additional information that can make sentences smoother.

You can insert phrases to add context, clarity, or description.

• Example:

• The teacher explained the lesson.

• The teacher, who is very kind, explained the lesson.

Examples

1. The man walked into the room. → The man, wearing a blue suit,
walked into the room.

2. The cat sat on the windowsill. → The cat, looking out the window,
sat on the windowsill.

3. She sang a song. → She sang a song, her voice echoing in the
empty room.

4. I read a book. → I read a book, sitting by the fire.

5. The car drove down the road. → The car, going at full speed,
drove down the road.

Exercise 4: Combine the sentences by inserting a phrase.

1. The girl wore a red dress. She smiled brightly.

2. The dog barked loudly. It ran toward the fence.

3. The boy played the guitar. His fingers moved quickly.

 4. The team won the game. They celebrated their victory.

5. The teacher explained the concept. The students listened

carefully.

6. The flowers bloomed in the garden. They smelled sweet.

7. The chef prepared a delicious meal. The kitchen was filled with
aroma.

8. The man walked across the park. He was wearing a hat.

9. The car raced through the streets. The engine roared.

10. The children played outside. They were laughing joyfully.

Answers

1. The girl, wearing a red dress, smiled brightly.

2. The dog, barking loudly, ran toward the fence.

3. The boy, his fingers moving quickly, played the guitar.

4. The team, celebrating their victory, won the game.

5. The teacher, explaining the concept, had the students listen

carefully.

6. The flowers, blooming in the garden, smelled sweet.

7. The chef, preparing a delicious meal, filled the kitchen with

aroma.

8. The man, wearing a hat, walked across the park.

9. The car, racing through the streets, roared with its engine.

10. The children, laughing joyfully, played outside.

Lesson 3.5: Combining Sentences - Using Subordinate Clauses

Explanation
A subordinate clause cannot stand alone but provides additional information
to the main clause. Subordinate clauses often begin with words like because,
although, if, when, since, and unless.

• Example:

• I stayed home.

• I was sick.

• → Because I was sick, I stayed home.

Examples

1. The movie was good. I didn’t watch it. → Although the movie was
good, I didn’t watch it.

2. I went to the park. It was sunny. → I went to the park because it

was sunny.

3. The teacher arrived. The students were waiting. → When the

teacher arrived, the students were waiting.

4. He missed the bus. He woke up late. → Because he woke up late,

he missed the bus.

5. The cake was delicious. It was homemade. → Since it was

homemade, the cake was delicious.

Exercise 5: Combine the sentences using subordinate clauses.

1. He finished his homework. He went to bed early.

2. I was tired. I didn’t go to the party.

3. She cried. She lost her favorite toy.

4. The weather was bad. We canceled the picnic.

5. They won the game. They practiced hard.

6. I missed the meeting. I didn’t feel well.

7. He smiled. He received good news.

8. The children were happy. They played in the park.

 9. We left early. We had an important appointment.

10. She was late. She had to take a detour.

Answers

1. Because he finished his homework, he went to bed early.

2. Although I was tired, I didn’t go to the party.

3. She cried because she lost her favorite toy.

4. Because the weather was bad, we canceled the picnic.

5. They won the game because they practiced hard.

6. I missed the meeting because I didn’t feel well.

7. He smiled because he received good news.

8. The children were happy because they played in the park.

9. We left early because we had an important appointment.

10. She was late because she had to take a detour.

Lesson 3.6: Eliminating Short, Choppy Sentences

Explanation

Short, choppy sentences can break the flow of your writing. Combining them
can improve the structure and make it more engaging.

• Example:

• She woke up early. She made breakfast. She left for work.

• → She woke up early, made breakfast, and left for work.

Examples
 1. John was tired. He went to bed early. → John was tired, so he
went to bed early.

2. I forgot my keys. I couldn’t get in. → I forgot my keys, and I

couldn’t get in.

3. The dog barked. The neighbors were angry. → The dog barked,
and the neighbors were angry.

4. The phone rang. She answered it. → When the phone rang, she
answered it.

5. The cake was delicious. Everyone loved it. → The cake was
delicious, and everyone loved it.

Exercise 6: Combine these short, choppy sentences into more fluid ones.

1. The children played outside. They had fun.

2. I ate lunch. I went for a walk.

3. He studied for hours. He passed the exam.

4. She finished the project. She submitted it online.

5. The weather was beautiful. We went for a hike.

6. The movie started. We bought popcorn.

7. He was hungry. He made a sandwich.

8. They went to the concert. They danced all night.

9. I woke up early. I went for a run.

10. The team played well. They won the match.

Answers

1. The children played outside and had fun.

2. I ate lunch and went for a walk.

3. He studied for hours and passed the exam.

4. She finished the project and submitted it online.

 5. Because the weather was beautiful, we went for a hike.

6. When the movie started, we bought popcorn.

7. He was hungry, so he made a sandwich.

8. They went to the concert and danced all night.

9. I woke up early and went for a run.

10. The team played well and won the match.

Lesson 3.7: Eliminating Wordiness

Explanation

Eliminating unnecessary words makes your writing more concise and

effective. Focus on clarity and precision.

• Example:

• Due to the fact that he was tired, he went to bed. → Because he

was tired, he went to bed.

Examples

1. At this point in time, we need to make a decision. → We need to

make a decision.

2. In the event that you are unsure, ask for help. → If you are
unsure, ask for help.

3. He made the decision to leave early. → He decided to leave early.

4. There are a lot of people at the party. → Many people are at the
party.

5. I will give you an answer as soon as possible. → I will answer you

soon.

Exercise 7: Eliminate wordiness from these sentences.

 1. In the near future, we will meet again.

2. He made the decision to attend the meeting.

3. At this point in time, we cannot make a choice.

4. Due to the fact that it was raining, the game was canceled.

5. The book was full of useful information.

6. She was very tired because of the fact that she worked late.

7. There were a number of issues with the project.

8. In my opinion, the movie was fantastic.

9. I went to the store to purchase some groceries.

10. The new system has a lot of features that are really useful.

Answers

1. We will meet again soon.

2. He decided to attend the meeting.

3. We cannot make a choice right now.

4. Because it was raining, the game was canceled.

5. The book was full of useful information.

6. She was very tired because she worked late.

7. The project had many issues.

8. I think the movie was fantastic.

9. I went to the store to buy groceries.

10. The new system has many useful features.

Revising and Editing

Explanation
Revising involves improving ideas, while editing focuses on fixing grammar,
punctuation, and spelling errors.

Exercise 8: Revise and edit the following paragraph for sentence structure,
clarity, and correctness.

The car was old and rusty it broke down on the way to the store. I called for
help. We waited for an hour for someone to come and fix it. The man arrived,
he was very friendly. After he fixed the car, we continued our trip to the
store.

Answer

The old, rusty car broke down on the way to the store. I called for help, and
we waited for an hour. The man who arrived was very friendly. After fixing
the car, we continued our trip to the store.