SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCES
Synthesis means combining two or more simple sentences into one sentence
without changing the meaning.
Before learning synthesis, we must understand the following:
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[Link] of Clauses
[Link] of Sentences
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Sentence Conversion (Simple ↔ Compound ↔ Complex)
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A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a finite verb( Verb
which changes if the subject or tense of the sentence changes –
I am happy. (Tense – present tense)
I was happy. (Tense – past tense)
She is happy. (Subject changed verb changed)]
They were happy. (Subject changed verb changed)
A phrase does not express a complete thought.
Examples
In the morning
under the table
a beautiful flower
after dinner
with great courage
These are phrases because none of them has a subject and a finite
verb.
2. CLAUSE
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a
predicate (verb).
Every clause must contain a finite verb.
Examples
The sun shines.
She sings beautifully.
They were playing.
Each has a Subject and a Finite Verb, hence, each is a clause.
Difference between Phrase and Clause
Phrase Clause
No finite verb - Has a finite verb
Incomplete meaning - May express complete or incomplete meaning
Cannot stand as a sentence - May or may not stand alone
3. TYPES OF CLAUSES
There are two types of clauses.
A. Independent Clause (Main Clause)
An Independent Clause
expresses a complete thought
has a subject and a finite verb
can stand alone as a sentence
Examples
The wind blows.
I teach English.
She likes music.
B. Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause)
A Dependent Clause
does not express a complete thought
cannot stand alone
depends upon the Independent Clause for meaning
Examples
because I was late
although it rained
when the bell rang
These leave us asking: Then what happened?
Example
Dependent Clause:
Whenever I travel...Incomplete.
Complete Sentence:
Whenever I travel, I like to meet new people.
4. TYPES OF DEPENDENT CLAUSES
There are three kinds.
A. Noun Clause
Acts as a noun.
Example
I know that he is honest.
B. Adjective (Relative) Clause
Describes a noun.
Usually begins with
Who, whom, whose, which, that
Example
The girl who won the prize is my sister.
C. Adverb Clause
Modifies the verb.
Shows, Time, Place, Reason, Purpose, Condition, Contrast, Comparison
Example
I stayed indoors because it was raining.
5. TYPES OF SENTENCES (Based on Structure)
There are three types.
Simple Sentence
Compound Sentence
Complex Sentence
SENTENCE SYNTHESIS (Simple + Simple = One Simple Sentence)
Check whether the verbs are the same.
If the same verb is repeated → Use a Conjunction.
Rule
Keep one verb and join the different subjects or objects.
Examples
I need to buy a pen. I need to buy a box. → I need to buy a pen as well as a
box.
Rohan went to Delhi. Jojo went to Delhi. → Rohan as well as Jojo went to
Delhi.
Check whether one sentence gives the quality of a noun.
Use an Adjective.
When?
If one sentence describes the noun of the other sentence.
Rule
Place the adjective before the noun.
Examples
The book was old. Rohan read the book. → Rohan read an old book.
A man is going to the station. He is lame. → A lame man is going to the
station.
A girl was weeping. She was hungry. → A hungry girl was weeping.
Check whether one sentence describes the verb.
Use an Adverb or Adverbial Phrase.
When?
If one sentence tells how, when, where or in what manner the action
happened.
Rule
Change the describing sentence into an adverb/adverbial phrase.
Examples
She went to school. She was punctual. → She went to school punctually.
They finished their work. It took them no time. → They finished their work in
no time.
The river was flowing. Its flow was slow. → The river was flowing slowly.
Check whether one action is the purpose, aim or result of another.
Use an Infinitive (to + V₁)
Rule
Keep the main action finite. Change the purpose into to + verb.
Examples
Rohan went to Agra. He wanted to see the Taj. → Rohan went to Agra to see
the Taj.
He has three sons. He has to educate them. → He has three sons to educate.
Too…to
He is very fat. He cannot run fast. → He is too fat to run fast.
My uncle is quite weak. He cannot go for a walk. → My uncle is too weak to
go for a walk.
Check whether one sentence can become a Noun or Gerund.
Use a Noun/Gerund.
Gerund = Verb + ing used as a noun
Rule
After a preposition, use a noun or gerund.
Examples
The sun set. The journey was not ended. → The journey was not ended
before sunset.
She gave me advice. She also helped me. → Besides giving me advice, she
helped me.
You helped her. Otherwise she would have drowned. → You helped her;
otherwise she would have drowned.
Check whether both sentences have the same subject.
Use a Participle.
There are three kinds.
(A)Present Participle (V₁ + ing)
When?
When two actions happen together or one immediately follows the other.
Examples
He saw a lion. He ran away. → Seeing a lion, he ran away.
She heard a noise. She turned back. → Hearing a noise, she turned back.
I was thirsty. I drank water. → Being thirsty, I drank water.
(B)Past Participle (V₃)
When?
When the first sentence becomes an adjective for the noun.
Examples
I found my purse. It was lost. → I found my lost purse.
I saw a bear. It was wounded. → I saw a wounded bear.
Rohan lost his book. He searched for it. → Rohan searched for his lost book.
© Perfect Participle (Having + V₃)
When?
When one action is completed before another begins.
Rule
Earlier action → Having + V₃
Examples
He had written a letter. He posted it. → Having written a letter, he posted it.
The servant swept the room. He went away. → Having swept the room, the
servant went away.
Passive
Use Having been + V₃
Example
Rohan was defeated by Ram. He was disappointed. → Having been defeated
by Ram, Rohan was disappointed.
Check whether both nouns refer to the same person or thing.
Use a Noun/Phrase in Apposition.
Rule
Place the second noun beside the first noun between commas.
Examples
Rohan is a doctor. He is very smart. → Rohan, a doctor, is very smart.
Here is my sister-in-law. Her name is Meera. → Here is Meera, my sister-in-
law.
Columbus was a famous Italian sailor. He discovered America. → Columbus, a
famous Italian sailor, discovered America.
Check whether the subjects are different.
Use an Absolute Phrase.
An absolute phrase is a group of words consisting of a noun (or
pronoun) and a participle. It gives extra information about the main
sentence, such as time, reason, condition, or circumstance. It has no
finite verb and is not a complete sentence.
Examples
Weather permitting, we shall play the match. (Condition)
The sun having risen, we started our journey. (Time)
The visitors having left, we went to bed. (Time)
God willing, we shall meet again. (Condition/Hope)
When?
Subjects are different, but there is a cause-and-effect or time relationship.
Rules
If the main verb is is/am/are/was/were → use being.
If the action is completed → having + V₃.
Passive → having been + V₃.
Examples
He was absent. No business was transacted. → He being absent, no business
was transacted.
The weather was stormy. The plane got late. → The weather being stormy,
the plane got late.
The bed was wet. Rohan did not sit there. → The bed being wet, Rohan did
not sit there.
The sun rose. The fog disappeared. → The sun having risen, the fog
disappeared.
SUMMARY
Whenever you get two simple sentences, ask these questions in order:
•Are the verbs the same? → Conjunction
•Does one sentence describe a noun? → Adjective
•Does one sentence describe the verb? → Adverb/Adverbial Phrase
•Is one action the purpose or aim of another? → Infinitive
•Can one sentence become a noun/gerund? → Noun or Gerund
•Is the subject the same? → Participle
•Simultaneous actions → Present Participle
•Describes noun → Past Participle
•Earlier completed action → Perfect Participle
•Do both nouns refer to the same person or thing? → Apposition
•Are the subjects different but related? → Absolute Phrase