Joining Two Sentences

Two sentences, one idea

Sometimes two short sentences belong together. We can join them into one longer sentence using a joining word. 🔗

I was tired. I went to bed. → I was tired so I went to bed. 😴

Each part can still stand alone as its own sentence, which is the key to joining well.

Joining words

Different joining words add different meanings:

Joining word	It shows	Example
and	adds more	I ran and I jumped. 🏃
but	a surprise or contrast	I ran fast but I lost. ↔️
so	a result	It rained so we stayed in. 🌧️
or	a choice	We can walk or ride. 🚲
because	a reason	She smiled because she was happy. 😊

Pick the word that fits

Choose the joining word that matches your meaning. And simply adds. But shows a twist. So gives a result. Read each one and see which makes sense.

I like tea but not coffee. ☕

Watch out for run-ons

Do not crash two sentences together with nothing between them. That is a run-on, and it is hard to read. ❌

❌ I was hungry I ate a snack.

✅ I was hungry so I ate a snack. 🍎

Either join them with a word, or keep them as two sentences with a full stop.

A handy check

Cover the joining word with your finger. Are both sides full sentences on their own? If yes, your join is strong. 👍

Play and practise

Play the matching game to pick the right joining word. Then build a joining word with the letter tiles.

Keep going

Try these next:

• More joining words: Joining Words: and, but, because
• Sentence kinds: Sentence Types: Statements, Questions, Commands

Now you can join ideas smoothly! ✨ Brilliant! 🌟