Jigsaw Sentences

Join each group of sentences together to make single sentence, in as many ways as you can.

Introduction

Combine each group of two or more sentences into a single sentence. Change any words you like so long as the basic ideas remain the same; try introducing speech, personal names or any descriptive details you like. Do not be satisfied with the first sentence you think of; think of several, and choose the best. Some sentences are from NL Clay’s textbooks, others are drawn from English literature.

1. He may be innocent. He may be very clever. I mean to discover which.

If. Or. Whether.

2. I saw him in the garden this afternoon. He was pacing up and down. That was the last time I saw him.

Since. When.

3. She stopped speaking. Two waiters took away their plates. She started speaking again.

Break off. Interrupt. While.

4. I did not find the body. A housemaid did.

One. Who.

5. His excuse made me laugh. I tried to hide it.

Absurd. Amuse. See.

6. You say I’m a thief. You have given no proof.

Accuse. Back up. Justify.

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Find a way of saying something can’t be measured, admitted, or changed — in just one word.

Metaphors

Choose one of these words and use it metaphorically, not literally.

Tag Questions

Complete each of these statements with a little request for confirmation.