Learn to combine multiple simple sentences into single compound or complex sentences. Master various techniques for sentence synthesis to improve writing style.
✅ Recommended for: Class 9-10 (Foundation) | Class 11-12 (Advanced Writing)
1. What is Synthesis of Sentences?
Synthesis of Sentences: The process of combining two or more simple sentences into one new sentence (simple, compound, or complex) WITHOUT changing the original meaning.
Key Principle: Join ideas logically to create better flow and more sophisticated writing.
| Before Synthesis | After Synthesis | Technique Used | Result Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| The sun rose. The birds began to sing. | When the sun rose, the birds began to sing. | Using subordinating conjunction | Complex Sentence |
| He finished his work. He went out to play. | Having finished his work, he went out to play. | Using participle phrase | Simple Sentence |
| She is poor. She is honest. | She is poor but honest. | Using coordinating conjunction | Compound Sentence |
| The man is old. He cannot walk fast. | The man is too old to walk fast. | Using 'too...to' structure | Simple Sentence |
2. Synthesis Using Participles
| Participle Type | When to Use | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Participle (-ing) | When actions happen at same time | Verb-ing phrase + main clause | He saw a snake. He ran away. → Seeing a snake, he ran away. |
| Past Participle (-ed/en) | When first action is completed before second | Having + verb-3 + main clause | He finished his work. He went out. → Having finished his work, he went out. |
| Perfect Participle | When first action completed before second (emphasizes sequence) | Having + verb-3 + main clause | He had dinner. He watched TV. → Having had dinner, he watched TV. |
| Being + Adjective | When describing state/cause | Being + adjective + main clause | He was tired. He slept. → Being tired, he slept. |
| Absolute Participle Construction | When subjects are different | Noun/Pronoun + participle + main clause | The weather being fine, we went out. The bell having rung, students left. |
3. Synthesis Using Infinitives
| Infinitive Use | When to Use | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| To show purpose | When second sentence shows purpose of first | First clause + to + verb | He went to the market. He wanted to buy vegetables. → He went to the market to buy vegetables. |
| After adjectives | When first sentence has adjective + that clause | Adjective + enough + to + verb Too + adjective + to + verb |
He is very weak. He cannot walk. → He is too weak to walk. |
| As subject complement | When second sentence renames/describes subject | Subject + be + noun/infinitive | His ambition is clear. He wants to become a doctor. → His ambition is to become a doctor. |
| After nouns | When noun needs action to complete meaning | Noun + to + verb | I have no money. I can give you nothing. → I have no money to give you. |
4. Synthesis Using Nouns in Apposition
| Situation | Pattern | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| When second sentence identifies/renames noun in first | Noun, + appositive (renaming noun), + rest of sentence | Rahul is my friend. He is a doctor. → Rahul, my friend, is a doctor. OR → Rahul, a doctor, is my friend. |
Commas essential for non-essential info |
| When both sentences talk about same person/thing | Noun/Pronoun + appositive phrase | Shakespeare was a great writer. He wrote Hamlet. → Shakespeare, the great writer, wrote Hamlet. | Appositive adds extra information |
| With titles/designations | Name + comma + title | Mr. Sharma is our principal. He is very kind. → Mr. Sharma, our principal, is very kind. | Title comes after name |
| Without commas (essential) | Noun + appositive (no commas) | My friend Rahul is a doctor. (I have many friends) My friend, Rahul, is a doctor. (I have one friend) |
No comma when appositive is essential to meaning |
5. Synthesis Using Adverbial Clauses
| Relationship | Conjunctions | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | when, while, before, after, since, until, as soon as | When + clause, + main clause Main clause + when + clause |
The sun rose. The birds sang. → When the sun rose, the birds sang. |
| Reason/Cause | because, since, as | Because + clause, + main clause | It was raining. We stayed indoors. → Because it was raining, we stayed indoors. |
| Condition | if, unless, provided that | If + clause, + main clause | Work hard. You will succeed. → If you work hard, you will succeed. |
| Purpose | so that, in order that | Main clause + so that + clause | He works hard. He wants to pass. → He works hard so that he can pass. |
| Result | so...that, such...that | So + adjective/adverb + that + clause Such + noun + that + clause |
He is very weak. He cannot walk. → He is so weak that he cannot walk. |
| Concession | although, though, even though | Although + clause, + main clause | He is poor. He is honest. → Although he is poor, he is honest. |
6. Synthesis Using Relative Clauses
| Situation | Relative Pronoun | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| For persons (subject) | who, that | Noun + who/that + verb | The man is my uncle. He is standing there. → The man who is standing there is my uncle. |
| For persons (object) | whom, that | Noun + whom/that + subject + verb | The boy is my friend. You met him yesterday. → The boy whom you met yesterday is my friend. |
| For things/animals | which, that | Noun + which/that + verb | The book is interesting. I borrowed it. → The book which I borrowed is interesting. |
| For possession | whose | Noun + whose + noun + verb | The girl is crying. Her doll is broken. → The girl whose doll is broken is crying. |
| Reduced relative clauses | — (participle) | Noun + participle phrase | The boy who is playing cricket is my brother. → The boy playing cricket is my brother. |
🎯 Synthesis Challenge
Combine the sentences using the given instructions.
1. Combine using a participle: He saw the police. He ran away.
Present participle for simultaneous actions.
2. Combine using an infinitive: He went to the market. He wanted to buy fruits.
Infinitive shows purpose.
3. Combine using a relative clause: The book is very interesting. I borrowed it yesterday.
Relative pronoun for things as object.
4. Combine using 'so...that': He is very tired. He cannot work.
Shows result/consequence.
5. Combine using noun in apposition: Shakespeare was a great writer. He wrote Hamlet.
Appositive adds extra information about the noun.
8. Synthesis Strategy & Tips
Step-by-Step Synthesis:
1. Read all sentences carefully
2. Identify the relationship between sentences (time, cause, contrast, etc.)
3. Choose appropriate technique based on relationship
4. Combine using correct structure and punctuation
5. Check that meaning hasn't changed
Choosing the Right Technique:
• Same time actions → Present participle (-ing)
• Sequence of actions → Having + past participle
• Purpose → Infinitive (to + verb)
• Result → So/such...that
• Contrast → Although/but
• Identifying which one → Relative clause (who/which/that)
• Extra information → Noun in apposition
📝 Practice Sentence Synthesis
Master all synthesis techniques with our comprehensive worksheet!
Go to Sentence Synthesis WorksheetIncludes answer key • Participle • Infinitive • Relative clauses • Adverbial clauses • All techniques
