Master Guide: Sentence Combination – Understanding the Core Concept

Here is a “Master Guide” to Sentence Combination, specifically designed for SEBA Class 10 students, with clear rules, logic, and examples from past papers in both English and Assamese.

Master Guide: Sentence Combination

(ইংৰাজী আৰু অসমীয়াত সম্পূৰ্ণ বুজনি)

Understanding the Core Concept (মূল ধাৰণাটো বুজা)

In English: Sentence Combination means joining two or more simple sentences into one single, meaningful sentence. The goal is to make the writing more fluid and to show the logical connection between ideas. You don’t just join them; you connect them using the right “joining word” (conjunction).

In Assamese: Sentence Combination-ৰ অৰ্থ হ’ল দুটা বা ততোধিক সৰল বাক্যক এটা অৰ্থপূৰ্ণ বাক্যলৈ ৰূপান্তৰ কৰা। ইয়াৰ উদ্দেশ্য হ’ল লিখনীটোক অধিক সাবলীল কৰা আৰু দুটা ধাৰণাৰ মাজৰ সম্পৰ্ক স্পষ্ট কৰা। বাক্য দুটা কেৱল যোৰা লগোৱা নহয়; সঠিক “সংযোগকাৰী শব্দ” (conjunction) ব্যৱহাৰ কৰি ইহঁতক সংযোগ কৰা হয়।

The Golden Rule (সোণালী নিয়ম): First, read both sentences and understand their relationship. Are they cause and effect? A question and an answer? A noun and its description? The relationship will tell you which conjunction to use.
(প্ৰথমে, দুয়োটা বাক্য পঢ়ি সিহঁতৰ মাজৰ সম্পৰ্কটো বুজিবলৈ চেষ্টা কৰক। এটা আনটোৰ কাৰণ আৰু ফলাফল নেকি? এটা প্ৰশ্ন আৰু তাৰ উত্তৰ নেকি? এটা বিশেষ্য আৰু তাৰ বৰ্ণনা নেকি? এই সম্পৰ্কটোৱে আপোনাক সঠিক conjunction ব্যৱহাৰ কৰাত সহায় কৰিব।)

Type 1: Combining with Relative Pronouns (WHO, WHICH, THAT)

(Relative Pronoun ব্যৱহাৰ কৰি বাক্য সংযোগ)

This is the most common type in the HSLC exam. It is used when the second sentence gives more information about a noun in the first sentence.
(HSLC পৰীক্ষাত এইটোৱেই আটাইতকৈ বেছি অহা প্ৰকাৰ। যেতিয়া দ্বিতীয় বাক্যটোৱে প্ৰথম বাক্যটোৰ কোনো বিশেষ্য (noun)-ৰ বিষয়ে অতিৰিক্ত তথ্য দিয়ে, তেতিয়া ই ব্যৱহাৰ হয়।)

• WHO: Use for people. (মানুহৰ বাবে ব্যৱহাৰ হয়।)
• WHICH: Use for things and animals. (বস্তু আৰু জীৱ-জন্তুৰ বাবে ব্যৱহাৰ হয়।)
• THAT: Can be used for both people and things (but who and which are often preferred). (মানুহ আৰু বস্তু উভয়ৰ বাবে ব্যৱহাৰ হ’ব পাৰে।)
• How to Combine (কেনেকৈ সংযোগ কৰিব):
  1. Identify the noun in the first sentence that is being described.
  2. Place the correct relative pronoun (who, which) right after that noun.
  3. Write the second sentence (without the repeated noun/pronoun).
• Example from Past Paper (HSLC 2015):
  • Sentences: I have lost the pen. You gave it to me.
  • Relationship: The second sentence describes “the pen”. “Pen” is a thing, so we use which or that.
  • Combination: I have lost the pen which you gave to me.
  • অসমীয়াত: মই কলমটো হেৰুৱালোঁ। তুমি মোক সেইটো দিছিলা। → তুমি মোক দিয়া কলমটো মই হেৰুৱালোঁ।
• Example:
  • Sentences: The man created the trouble. The man was arrested. (HSLC 2018)
  • Relationship: The second sentence is about “the man”. “Man” is a person, so we use who.
  • Combination: The man who created the trouble was arrested.
  • অসমীয়াত: মানুহজনে সমস্যাৰ সৃষ্টি কৰিছিল। মানুহজনক গ্ৰেপ্তাৰ কৰা হৈছিল। → যিজন মানুহে সমস্যাৰ সৃষ্টি কৰিছিল, তেওঁক গ্ৰেপ্তাৰ কৰা হৈছিল।

Type 2: Combining with Noun Clauses (THAT, WHAT, WHERE, etc.)

(Noun Clause ব্যৱহাৰ কৰি বাক্য সংযোগ)

This is used when the second sentence acts as the object or subject of the verb in the first sentence. It often answers a question.
(যেতিয়া দ্বিতীয় বাক্যটোৱে প্ৰথম বাক্যটোৰ ক্ৰিয়াৰ কৰ্ম (object) বা কৰ্তা (subject) হিচাপে কাম কৰে, তেতিয়া ই ব্যৱহাৰ হয়। ই প্ৰায়ে কোনো প্ৰশ্নৰ উত্তৰ দিয়ে।)

• THAT: Used to report a statement or a fact. (কোনো বক্তব্য বা সত্য বৰ্ণনা কৰিবলৈ ব্যৱহাৰ হয়।)
• WHAT / WHERE / WHEN / WHY: Used when combining a question with a statement. (যেতিয়া এটা প্ৰশ্নক এটা বাক্যৰ লগত সংযোগ কৰা হয়।)
• Example from Past Paper (HSLC 2019):
  • Sentences: The earth is round. We can prove it.
  • Relationship: What can we prove? The answer is “that the earth is round”. The second sentence becomes the object.
  • Combination: We can prove that the earth is round.
  • অসমীয়াত: পৃথিৱীখন ঘূৰণীয়া। আমি ইয়াকে প্ৰমাণ কৰিব পাৰোঁ। → আমি প্ৰমাণ কৰিব পাৰোঁ যে পৃথিৱীখন ঘূৰণীয়া।
• Example from Past Paper (HSLC 2019):
  • Sentences: Where does he live? Do you know it?
  • Relationship: What do you know? The answer is “where he lives”. The question becomes the object. Remember to change the question form (does he live) to a statement form (he lives).
  • Combination: Do you know where he lives?
  • অসমীয়াত: তেওঁ ক’ত থাকে? তুমি জানানে? → তেওঁ ক’ত থাকে তুমি জানানে?

Type 3: Combining with Adverb Clauses (WHEN, BECAUSE, THOUGH, IF)

(Adverb Clause ব্যৱহাৰ কৰি বাক্য সংযোগ)

This is used when the second sentence tells us when, where, why, or how the action in the first sentence happened.
(যেতিয়া দ্বিতীয় বাক্যটোৱে প্ৰথম বাক্যটোৰ কামটো কেতিয়া, ক’ত, কিয়, বা কেনেকৈ হৈছিল সেই বিষয়ে কয়, তেতিয়া ই ব্যৱহাৰ হয়।)

• WHEN / WHILE: Shows time. (সময় বুজায়।)
• BECAUSE / AS / SINCE: Shows reason. (কাৰণ বুজায়।)
• THOUGH / ALTHOUGH: Shows contrast. (বিপৰীত অৰ্থ বুজায়।)
• IF / UNLESS: Shows condition. (চৰ্ত বুজায়।)
• Example from Past Paper (HSLC 2020):
  • Sentences: I finished the work. I was taking rest.
  • Relationship: The two actions happened at different times, one after the other.
  • Combination (using ‘when’): When I finished the work, I was taking rest.
  • Combination (using ‘after’): After I had finished the work, I was taking rest.
  • অসমীয়াত: মই কামটো শেষ কৰিলোঁ। মই জিৰণি লৈ আছিলোঁ। → যেতিয়া মই কামটো শেষ কৰিলোঁ, মই জিৰণি লৈ আছিলোঁ।
• Example:
  • Sentences: He is not sincere. He is not honest. (HSLC 2021)
  • Relationship: This shows two similar negative qualities. We can use and with neither...nor.
  • Combination: He is neither sincere nor honest.
  • অসমীয়াত: তেওঁ আন্তৰিক নহয়। তেওঁ সৎ নহয়। → তেওঁ আন্তৰিকো নহয়, সঁতো নহয়।

Summary of Common Patterns for SEBA Exam (পৰীক্ষাৰ বাবে সাধাৰণ আৰ্হি)

1. Noun + Description (বিশেষ্য + বৰ্ণনা):
   • Sentences: I bought a book. The book contains many pictures.
   • Use: WHICH or THAT.
   • Answer: I bought a book which contains many pictures.
2. Person + Description (ব্যক্তি + বৰ্ণনা):
   • Sentences: I know the boy. He stood first in the class.
   • Use: WHO.
   • Answer: I know the boy who stood first in the class.
3. Statement + Question (বক্তব্য + প্ৰশ্ন):
   • Sentences: He is not here. I know it.
   • Use: THAT.
   • Answer: I know that he is not here.
4. Question + Statement (প্ৰশ্ন + বক্তব্য):
   • Sentences: Where has he gone? Do you know it? (HSLC 2020)
   • Use: The Wh-word (WHERE).
   • Answer: Do you know where he has gone?
5. Two Simple Actions (দুটা সৰল কাম):
   • Sentences: He came here. He wanted to meet me.
   • Use: to + verb (infinitive).
   • Answer: He came here to meet me.

By identifying the relationship between the sentences and choosing the correct joining word, you can easily master this topic.

50 Important Sentence Combination Examples from SEBA Past Papers (2015-2025)

Category 1: Using Relative Pronouns (WHO, WHICH, THAT)

(WHO, WHICH, THAT ব্যৱহাৰ কৰি)

This is the most common type. It’s used when one sentence describes a noun in the other sentence.

1. Sentences: I have lost the pen. You gave it to me. (HSLC 2015)
   Answer: I have lost the pen which you gave to me.
2. Sentences: The man created the trouble. The man was arrested. (HSLC 2018)
   Answer: The man who created the trouble was arrested.
3. Sentences: I often go to Mumbai. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India. (HSLC 2025 Mock)
   Answer: I often go to Mumbai, which is the commercial capital of India.
4. Sentences: The boy is not brave. The boy is not intelligent. (HSLC 2018)
   Answer: The boy is neither brave nor intelligent.
5. Sentences: I speak the truth. I am not afraid of it.
   Answer: I am not afraid to speak the truth.
6. Sentences: The man is coming. He is my brother.
   Answer: The man who is coming is my brother.
7. Sentences: I bought a book. The book was very interesting.
   Answer: The book which I bought was very interesting.
8. Sentences: He saw a snake. He ran away.
   Answer: Seeing a snake, he ran away.
9. Sentences: A boy said this. I know the boy.
   Answer: I know the boy who said this.
10. Sentences: The bird was very small. It could not fly.
    Answer: The bird was so small that it could not fly.

Category 2: Using Noun Clauses (THAT, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY)

(THAT, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY ব্যৱহাৰ কৰি)

This type is used when one sentence acts as the object of the verb in the other, often answering a question.

11. Sentences: The earth is round. We can prove it. (HSLC 2019)
    Answer: We can prove that the earth is round.
12. Sentences: Where does he live? Do you know it? (HSLC 2019 & 2016)
    Answer: Do you know where he lives?
13. Sentences: Where has he gone? Do you know it? (HSLC 2020)
    Answer: Do you know where he has gone?
14. Sentences: The earth moves round the sun. Everybody knows it. (HSLC 2021)
    Answer: Everybody knows that the earth moves round the sun.
15. Sentences: The moon is round. It has been proved. (HSLC 2016)
    Answer: It has been proved that the moon is round.
16. Sentences: He is not sincere. He is not honest. (HSLC 2021)
    Answer: He is neither sincere nor honest.
17. Sentences: What are you doing? Let me know.
    Answer: Let me know what you are doing.
18. Sentences: He will pass. I expect it.
    Answer: I expect that he will pass.
19. Sentences: He is innocent. The judge believes it.
    Answer: The judge believes that he is innocent.
20. Sentences: When will the train arrive? I do not know the time.
    Answer: I do not know the time when the train will arrive.

Category 3: Using Adverb Clauses (WHEN, WHILE, BECAUSE, IF, THOUGH)

(WHEN, WHILE, BECAUSE, IF, THOUGH ব্যৱহাৰ কৰি)

This type is used to show the relationship of time, reason, or condition between the two sentences.

21. Sentences: I finished the work. I was taking rest. (HSLC 2020)
    Answer: When I finished the work, I was taking rest. (or) I was taking rest after I had finished the work.
22. Sentences: Walk fast. You will miss the train. (HSLC 2017)
    Answer: If you do not walk fast, you will miss the train. (or) Walk fast, or else you will miss the train.
23. Sentences: He is very weak. He cannot walk.
    Answer: He is so weak that he cannot walk.
24. Sentences: He is rich. He is not happy.
    Answer: Though he is rich, he is not happy.
25. Sentences: Wait here. I will return.
    Answer: Wait here until I return.
26. Sentences: He worked hard. He wanted to pass the examination.
    Answer: He worked hard so that he could pass the examination.
27. Sentences: The sun rose. The fog disappeared.
    Answer: When the sun rose, the fog disappeared.
28. Sentences: He was ill. He could not come to the meeting.
    Answer: He could not come to the meeting because he was ill.
29. Sentences: He is poor. He is honest.
    Answer: Though he is poor, he is honest.
30. Sentences: Do not eat too much. You will be ill.
    Answer: If you eat too much, you will be ill.

Category 4: Using Infinitives, Participles, and other structures

(Infinitive, Participle আৰু অন্য গঠন ব্যৱহাৰ কৰি)

31. Sentences: Health is very important. It must not be neglected. (HSLC 2015)
    Answer: Health, which is very important, must not be neglected.
32. Sentences: He has five daughters. He has to get them married.
    Answer: He has five daughters to get married.
33. Sentences: He opened the cage. He let the bird fly away.
    Answer: Opening the cage, he let the bird fly away.
34. Sentences: The man is old. He cannot work hard.
    Answer: The man is too old to work hard.
35. Sentences: He must confess his fault. He can escape punishment.
    Answer: He must confess his fault to escape punishment.
36. Sentences: The problem was very difficult. I could not solve it.
    Answer: The problem was too difficult for me to solve.
37. Sentences: He is a good boy. Everybody likes him.
    Answer: He is such a good boy that everybody likes him.
38. Sentences: He heard the news. He was very sad.
    Answer: He was very sad to hear the news.
39. Sentences: He is my friend. His name is John.
    Answer: He is my friend, whose name is John.
40. Sentences: This is my friend. I was speaking of him.
    Answer: This is the friend of whom I was speaking.

More Mixed Practice from Past Papers

41. Sentences: He came home. He began to work.
    Answer: Coming home, he began to work.
42. Sentences: The man is very old. He cannot run.
    Answer: The man is too old to run.
43. Sentences: I have some duties. I must perform them.
    Answer: I have some duties to perform.
44. Sentences: He will not come. I know it.
    Answer: I know that he will not come.
45. Sentences: The beggar was lame. He was begging by the roadside.
    Answer: The lame beggar was begging by the roadside.
46. Sentences: The day was cloudy. We did not go out.
    Answer: It being a cloudy day, we did not go out.
47. Sentences: He is a teacher. He is also a poet.
    Answer: He is not only a teacher but also a poet.
48. Sentences: This is the place. I was born here.
    Answer: This is the place where I was born.
49. Sentences: He is a good man. Everybody says so.
    Answer: Everybody says that he is a good man.
50. Sentences: He may be innocent. I do not know.
    Answer: I do not know if/whether he is innocent.