1. The Compound Predicate as a Word-saver
Lesson 10
Joseph C. Blumenthal

2. Garvey made a two-base hit. The ball game was over.
In this and the following frames, combine each pair of sentences, using a compound predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer by writing the conjunction and the two words surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
Garvey made a two-base hit. The ball game was over.
1. __hit___ , __and__ ___the___
Insert any necessary comma.

3. Paul wanted a date. He was too timid to ask.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer by writing the conjunction and the two words surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
Paul wanted a date. He was too timid to ask.
2. __date__ __but__ ___was___
Insert a comma only when you form a compound sentence.

4. It was getting late. The children were growing restless.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer by writing the conjunction and the two words surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
It was getting late. The children were growing restless.
3. __late__ , _and__ __the___
Insert a comma only when you form a compound sentence.

5. 4. _college__ _and__ __will___
Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer by writing the conjunction and the two words surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
Most Americans want their children to attend college. They will make great sacrifices to send them.
4. _college__ _and__ __will___
Insert a comma only when you form a compound sentence.

6. You must be completely satisfied. We will return your money.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer by writing the conjunction and the two words surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
You must be completely satisfied. We will return your money.
5. _satisfied_ , __or__ ___we___
Insert a comma only when you form a compound sentence.

7. My sister can play several instruments. Her favorite is the violin.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer by writing the conjunction and the two words surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
My sister can play several instruments. Her favorite is the violin.
6. instruments , __but__ __her___
Insert a comma only when you form a compound sentence.

8. Shall I write a new theme? Shall I revise the old one?
Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer by writing the conjunction and the two words surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
Shall I write a new theme? Shall I revise the old one?
7. _theme_ __or___ __revise__
Since these are questions, you also have to omit the word shall.

9. Fashions come and fashions go. Fashions come and go.
Sometimes we want the balanced effect of a compound sentence even though a compound predicate would express our meaning in fewer words.
Fashions come and fashions go.
Fashions come and go.
Which sentence gives a more balanced effect?
8. (a, b)

10. He couldn’t eat and couldn’t sleep.
He couldn’t eat, and he couldn’t sleep.
Which sentence is more effective because of the repetition of the subject?
9. (b)

11. 10. Except where we wish to produce a special effect, we should try to save words by using a compound (sentence, predicate).