This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Synthesis of Sentences – Combination of Two or More Simple Sentences into a Single Compound Sentence using Adversative Conjunction”.
1. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
I locked the door. I forgot to close the windows.
a) I locked the door while I forgot to close the windows
b) I locked the door but I forgot to close the windows
c) I forgot to close the windows before locking the door
d) I locked the door and forgot to close the windows
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Explanation: The two simple sentences given in this question statement are converted into a single compound sentence by using the adversative conjunction ‘but’ in the given answer statement.
2. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
He skin was pale. She looked beautiful.
a) Her skin was pale however she looked beautiful
b) Her skin was pale which made her look beautiful
c) Her skin was pale and she looked beautiful
d) Her skin was pale thus she looked beautiful
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Explanation: As we can see that the two simple sentences in this question are contrasting with each other. Hence to combine them together into a compound sentence the adversative conjunction ‘however’ is used.
3. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
I was sure of his arrival. He did not arrive.
a) He did not arrive while I was sure of his arrival
b) Me being sure of his arrival, he did not arrive
c) He did not arrival despite me being sure of his arrival
d) I was sure of his arrival but he did not arrive
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Explanation: The compound sentence in this answer statement contains the adversative conjunction ‘but’. This conjunction clearly contrasts the first sentence ‘sure of his arrival’ to the second sentence ‘did not arrive’ in the given answer statement.
4. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
It was his fault. Everyone blamed her.
a) She was blamed by everyone after being his fault
b) It was his fault yet everyone blamed her
c) In spite of being his fault, she was blamed by everyone
d) Him being at fault, she was blamed by everyone
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Explanation: The two simple sentences given in this question statement are combined together into a compound sentence by adjoining them using the adversative conjunction ‘yet’ in the correct option. There are two types of major conjunctions in the English grammar, one is coordinating conjunction and the other is subordinating.
5. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
I was warned by her to stay away from them. I followed them.
a) I was warned by her to stay away from them so I followed them
b) I was warned by her to stay away from them before I followed them
c) I was warned by her to stay away from them still I followed them
d) I followed them as I was warned by her to stay away from them
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Explanation: The first sentence mentioned in this question states the warning against the action while the second sentence is just the opposite of it as the action is done in this. So to combine them together the adversative conjunction ‘still’ is used in the answer statement.
6. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
She used to be a waitress. Now she is a successful businesswoman.
a) She who used to be a waitress is now a successful businesswoman
b) She used to be a waitress but now she is a successful businesswoman
c) She used to be a waitress and is now a successful businesswoman
d) Once being a waitress, she is now a successful businesswoman
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Explanation: The two sentences given in this question statement are very different from each other because the first one mentions a ‘waitress’ whereas the second one mentions a ‘businesswoman’. To convert them into a single compound statement we use the conjunction ‘but’ in the correct option.
7. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
The sun was shining bright in the morning. It started raining by the evening.
a) The sun was shining bright in the morning while it started raining by the evening
b) The sun was shining bright in the morning and then it started raining by the evening
c) It started by the evening after the sun was shining bright in the morning
d) The sun was shining bright in the morning however it started raining by the evening
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Explanation: The adversative conjunction used in the compound sentence mentioned in the correct option is ‘however’. This conjunction is used to introduce the contradicting idea to the main clause. But it is used only under certain conditions. There should be two independent clauses and both clauses should include subject and predicate.
8. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
I tried calling her. Her phone was switched off.
a) Her phone was switched off when I tried calling her
b) I tried calling her and her phone was switched off
c) I tried calling her but her phone was switched off
d) If her phone was not switched off, I would have called her
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Explanation: These two simple sentences mentioned in this question statement are merged together into a compound sentence by using the adversative conjunction ‘but’ in the answer statement which shows in the first part that the purpose of the sentence was to make a call, in the second part however the action was not performed and the purpose of the sentence was not fulfilled.
9. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
He started working early this morning. He has not finished his work.
a) He has not finished his work despite he started working early this morning
b) The work which he started early this morning has not finished
c) Having started his work early this morning, he has not finished his work
d) He started working early this morning yet he has not finished his work
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Explanation: Here in this question statement we can see that the two simple sentences are contradicting each other. So to convert them into a single sentence the adversative conjunction ‘yet’ is used. The conjunction ‘Yet’ is used for negative contrast with more emphasis.
10. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
He was poor. He was kind.
a) Being poor, he was kind
b) He was poor and kind
c) He was poor but kind
d) He was poor so he was kind
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Explanation: The two simple sentences given in this question are not too much in contrast with each other. But to combine them together using an adversative conjunction, the suitable conjunction to do so ‘but’ is used. The conjunction ‘But’ is milder than ‘Yet’ in degree of contrast.
11. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
The movie was boring. The cast was good.
a) The movie was boring having a good cast
b) The move was boring with a good cast
c) The movie being boring, had a good cast
d) The movie was boring however the cast was good
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Explanation: The adversative conjunction used to combine the two given simple sentences together into a compound sentence is ‘however’. The hidden meaning of ‘however’ is ‘In spite of’ or ‘despite that’. It is used a transition between two sentences in the form of conjunctive adverbs.
12. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
There was plenty of food to eat. My stomach was full.
a) There was plenty of food to eat while my stomach was full
b) There was not only plenty of food to eat but also my stomach was full
c) My stomach was full as there was plenty of food to eat
d) There was plenty of food to eat nevertheless my stomach was full
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Explanation: In this question statement we can see that the second sentence has surprising element as compared to the first one. Hence the adversative conjunction used in the answer statement is ‘nevertheless’ to combine these together.
13. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
They threatened his family. He had already made the security arrangements.
a) He had already made the security arrangements before they threatened his family
b) They threatened his family however he had already made the security arrangements
c) He had already made the security arrangements after his family being threatened by them
d) They threatened his family so he had already made the security arrangements
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Explanation: The simple sentences in this particular question statement are conjoined together using the adversative conjunction ‘however’ in the answer given. This conjunction joins two independent clauses but both should not depend on with each other in the contrasting manner.
14. Combine the following set of simple sentences into a compound sentence.
She was tired. She had two more miles to walk.
a) She was tired yet she had two more miles to walk
b) She was tired and she had two more miles to walk
c) After being tired she had two more miles to walk
d) She had two more miles to walk and she was tired already
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Explanation: In the answer statement of this particular question the adversative conjunction ‘yet’ is applied. We can see in the first part of the answer that the subject is ‘tired’ but in the second part the negative element comes that ‘she had two more miles to walk’. Thus, the conjunction ‘yet’ with a clear negative contrast with more highlight is used.
15. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one compound sentence.
He was not happy with the decision. He agreed to it.
a) He agreed to the decision which made him unhappy
b) Being unhappy with the decision, he agreed to it
c) He was not happy with the decision nevertheless he agreed to it
d) Agreeing to the decision made him unhappy
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Explanation: The adversative conjunction used in the correct option given is ‘nevertheless’. This conjunction is used to indicate surprise positive contrast to earlier stated statement and is more formal and emphatic compared to ‘however’.
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