There is nothing wrong with using simple sentences-they are quite effective sometimes-but overusing them is considered poor style in academic writing.When you write too many simple sentences, your writing will turn out to be dull and unnatural.
For example:
1) This poem was written by a young girl.She was terminally ill (患絕症的).She was in a New York hospital.
2) Solar energy is a promising new source of energy.Solar energy is energy from the sun's radiation.
Each group of simple sentences above can be actually combined into a longer and more smoothly flowing sentence.The revised versions are as follows:
3) This poem was written by a terminally-ill young girl in a New York hospital.
4) Solar energy, which is energy from the sun's radiation, is a promising new source of energy.
Sentence combining is not only simply an exercise to be accomplished but also a skill to be learned.Thus, you should try to avoid too many simple sentences in your writing, especially in academic writing.
Practice 2-9-1
Combine each group of simple sentences below into a longer and more smoothly flowing sentence by using only one period (句號) at the end of the sentence.Change the wording as necessary and keep the meaning the same.For example:
Choppy: Ken does not have enough money to live comfortably.For that reason he is looking for a new job.
Combined: Ken who does not have enough money to live comfortably is looking for a new job.
Or: Ken is looking for a new job because he does not have enough money to live comfortably.
Answers are provided only for the first five sentences.
1.Computer technology has advanced in the past five years.Its advances have been dramatic.
2.He was absent from class yesterday morning.He was sick.He didn't go to school.
3.The novel is about life on the Amazon.It is 300 pages long.It is very interesting.
4.All living things need energy.Energy comes directly from the sun.Energy comes indirectly from the sun.