Synthesis of Compound Sentences – Rules, Examples & Exercises
Welcome to English Rath! For Class 12 UP Board and CBSE students, mastering compound sentence synthesis is crucial for excelling in English grammar during board exams. This guide covers the definition, rules, types of coordinating conjunctions, examples, and exercises to help you create clear, effective compound sentences. Download our free Compound Sentences PDF Guide below to boost your preparation!
What is a Compound Sentence?
A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses of equal importance, connected by coordinating conjunctions or, in some cases, relative pronouns/adverbs used in a continuative sense.
Types of Coordinating Conjunctions
There are four main types of coordinating conjunctions used in compound sentences:
- Cumulative Conjunctions – Addition of ideas
- Adversative Conjunctions – Contrast of ideas
- Alternative Conjunctions – Choice or option
- Illative Conjunctions – Result or inference
A. Cumulative Conjunctions – Addition of Ideas
Conjunctions: and, both…and, as well as, not only…but also
- The guard whistled and the train started.
- He is both a poet and a dramatist.
- The boy was not only punished but also fined.
B. Adversative Conjunctions – Contrast of Ideas
Conjunctions: but, yet, still, nevertheless, however, whereas, while
- He is poor but happy.
- He worked hard yet failed.
- I shall not oppose your design; however, I cannot approve of it.
C. Alternative Conjunctions – Choice or Option
Conjunctions: either…or, neither…nor, or, else, otherwise
- Walk fast or you will miss the train.
- Do not do this, neither do that.
- Either take all or take nothing.
D. Illative Conjunctions – Result or Inference
Conjunctions: therefore, so, hence, for
- He took a bribe, therefore he was dismissed.
- I cannot see, for it is dark.
- It was late, so we came back home.
Relative Pronouns & Adverbs in Compound Sentences
Sometimes, relative pronouns or adverbs are used in a continuative sense instead of conjunctions:
- who = and he
- which = and it
- where = and there
Examples:
- I met a man. He gave me a book. → I met a man who gave me a book.
- He shot a bird. It flew away. → He shot a bird which flew away.
- We started for Delhi yesterday. We shall stay four days. → We started yesterday for Delhi where we shall stay four days.
Rules for Synthesis into Compound Sentences
- Understand the relationship between sentences:
- Addition → Cumulative
- Contrast → Adversative
- Option → Alternative
- Result/Inference → Illative
- Select the appropriate conjunction.
- If the sense is continuative, use who / which / where.
- Keep clauses coordinate (equal rank), not subordinate.
Worked Example
The cat is meek. The cat is silent. The cat is sly. The cat is cruel. The mouse runs away at the sight of the cat. The mouse enters its hole.
Compound Sentence: The cat is meek and silent but sly and cruel, hence the mouse runs away at the sight of it and enters its hole.
More Examples
- He opened the window. Fresh air entered the room. → He opened the window and fresh air entered the room.
- The farmer ploughed the field. He sowed the seeds. → The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
- He is a singer. He is a dancer. → He is a singer as well as a dancer.
- He is rich. He is unhappy. → He is rich but unhappy.
- The girl worked hard. She failed the exam. → The girl worked hard yet failed the exam.
Exercise – Convert into Compound Sentences
- The sun rose. It filled the sky with light.
- Good boys work. Bad boys make mischiefs.
- He does not know anything. He pretends ignorance.
- Forests check soil erosion. They also give us timber.
- We must love one another. We are all children of one God.
- The brave face the challenges. Cowards flee.
- He was ill. He could not go to the office.
- Mosquitoes spread malaria. We must destroy them.
- He must work regularly. He must leave the job.
- He was injured in an accident. He went to hospital.
Share your answers in the comments below to get feedback and improve your UP Board and CBSE Class 12 English grammar skills!
Answer Key
- The sun rose and it filled the sky with light.
- Good boys work but bad boys make mischief.
- He does not know anything, yet he pretends ignorance.
- Forests check soil erosion and also give us timber.
- We must love one another, for we are all children of one God.
- The brave face the challenges, whereas cowards flee.
- He was ill, so he could not go to the office.
- Mosquitoes spread malaria, hence we must destroy them.
- He must work regularly or he must leave the job.
- He was injured in an accident and went to hospital.
FAQs on Synthesis of Compound Sentences
What is a compound sentence in grammar?
A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses of equal importance using coordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns/adverbs, essential for Class 12 UP and CBSE Board grammar.
How do coordinating conjunctions help in UP and CBSE Board exams?
Coordinating conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, for) combine clauses to form clear compound sentences, improving scores in UP Board and CBSE Class 12 English grammar.
What are relative pronouns in compound sentences?
Relative pronouns like who, which, where are used in a continuative sense (e.g., and he, and it, and there) to form compound sentences in Class 12 grammar.
Where can I download a compound sentence guide?
Download our free Compound Sentences Guide PDF below for UP and CBSE Board preparation.
Conclusion
Mastering synthesis of compound sentences is essential for Class 12 UP and CBSE Board exams. Practice the rules, conjunctions, and exercises above to craft clear, high-scoring answers. Visit English Rath for more grammar lessons, and explore our guides on Noun Apposition, Infinitives, Adverbs, and Prepositions. Download the free PDF below and share your feedback in the comments to ace your board exams!
Tags: Synthesis of Compound Sentences, Compound Sentence Rules, Coordinating Conjunctions, English Grammar Class 12, CBSE Grammar Notes, UP Board Grammar, Compound Sentence Examples, Relative Pronouns in Synthesis, Class 12 English Grammar, UP Board Class 12, CBSE Class 12
