All You Need to Know About Sentence Joining and its Types

Sentence joining forms an important part of all the bank and government exams. There are various types in it, connectors being one of them. Identification of these connectors is the first step in solving the question. Many a times, conjunctions are also used to join the sentences. 

Sentence Joining

First, let us understand the difference between a connector and a conjunction:

Conjunction : Conjunction is a word used to connect clauses or to coordinate words in the same clause.

Connectors : Connectors are used between two different (independent) clauses.

A connector can be a conjunction, but not vice-versa.

Thus, identification of a Clause is equally important.

What exactly is a clause? A Clause consists of a group of words which includes a subject and a finite verb. That is, it contains only one subject and one verb.

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Clauses are mainly of two types:

1. Independent Clause– is a clause which can stand by itself as a simple sentence. It contains a subject and predicate and makes sense by itself.

For example– ‘she wants to see the northern lights and travel the world’ or as simple as – ‘He ran’. Here there is only one subject (He) and one predicate (Ran). Another example would be- ‘the planets revolve around the sun’.

2. Dependent Clause– It is also called as a subordinate clause. Dependent clause help complete the independent clause, as it cannot function on its own and gives out an unfinished thought or idea.  

For example– I know the woman who stole the diamond. Here, we can divide the sentence in two parts- ‘I know the woman’- being the independent clause here as it is a generic statement and makes sense as well. The second part- who stole the diamond- is not a self-sufficient sentence, as the subject is missing and hence is the subordinate clause.  

Connectors

 There are following types of connectors:

1. Coordinating conjunctions–– are the conjunctions which connect two simple sentences and are separated by a comma. For example– but, yet.
2. Subordinating conjunctions— are the conjunctions which connect one dependent clause to an independent clause. They can begin a sentence or be placed in the middle of a sentence. Always use a comma at the end of the dependent clause if you are using a subordinating conjunction to begin a sentence.  For example– although, even though, though, despite, the fact that.
3. Conjunctive adverbs– connect a second sentence to the first and a comma is used after a conjunctive adverb or introductory phrase. For example– however, nevertheless.
4.  Prepositional phrases– Prepositional phrases are followed by nouns or noun phrases. Prepositional phrases can begin a sentence or be placed after the independent clause. For example- despite, in-spite of.

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Now, this forms the basics and will help us solve different types of questions of sentence joining. Let us look at some of them below:

Types

Type 1– You are presented with a phrase or a conjunction that can be used to connect two sentences. You are provided with three pairs of sentences marked with A, B and C. Identify which of the pairs given can be connected by the word or the conjunction given.

The same type can have a variation of 4 sentences as well.

Therefore

I. Many researchers believe that exit costs serve as barriers to separation

II. There are economic and other real costs, including a lower standard of living and loss of time with the children.

III. These are major underpinnings of stability.

1. I-II
2. II-III
3. II-III
4. I-III
5. none of the above

Explanation– Therefore is used to depict cause and effect. Upon careful observation of the above sentences, we can say that II is an extension of I as it further explains the exit costs involved. I talks of one of the causes of barriers to separation. And the effect of this barrier is that, it supports stability. Thus, I and III can be combined. ‘Many researchers believe that exit costs serve as barriers to separation, therefore, are major underpinnings of stability.’ Thus, 4 is the right answer.

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Type 2– A paragraph is given where three connectors are highlighted. These connectors may or may not be jumbled. Read the paragraph carefully and answer the questions that follow. (set of 2Q)

Decades of global neglect has resulted in Tuberculosis (TB) being the leading cause of adult deaths in most of the global south where (1) it kills nearly 2 million people every year. This is shocking given that TB is curable and preventable, but (2) there are signs of change as the spotlight shines on TB. This includes the UN meet in 2018 titled ‘united to end TB: an urgent global response to a global epidemic’, because (3) heads of state and government have ‘reaffirmed their commitment to end the global TB epidemic by 2030’.

Explanation: To solve this type of question, it is necessary to know when a particular connector is used. For example, here, ‘where’ is used as an adverb with reference to a place/situation and should be placed at (3) as the sentence initially mentions the title of the UN meet and goes ahead to describe what it consists of (reaffirmation from the head of state and government). ‘But’ is used to show contrast in expectation and is rightfully at its place at (2). ‘because’ indicates cause and effect.  

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Type 3- Column based match the following sentences…This is the new type which is seen in the recent exams:

A.  You may actually look forward to going to work	D. they carried a gene that made them feel that they need to eat more food to feel full.
B. In the diet group, some participants were falsely told that	E. if you know you can count on having a good laugh or two at some point during the day.
C. If your partner does not seem to care where your disagreements are coming from	F.  then he or she is not putting the relationship first.

1. A-E
2. B-E
3. C-D
4. C-E
5. A-F

Explanation: Here, it is important to find a common ground between two columns of the table and then join the sentence as well. It does not need a connector and can be solved on the basis of prepositions and context. Like, B mentions ‘diet’ and D talks about ‘food to feel good’. Also, C mentions ‘partner’ and F talks of a ‘relationship’. AE has a cause-effect relationship, and thus forms a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence.  Thus, 1 is the right option.

That’s all from us in this article of Sentence Joining and its types. For more updates and new pattern tests introduced in English Section, subscribe to the Oliveboard mocks and stay tuned to this space for more.

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Author: Shweta Dayal