What are the potential drawbacks or limitations of sentence combining?

The potential drawbacks or limitations of sentence combining include the following:

1. Loss of clarity: When sentences are combined, there is a risk of losing clarity and making the resulting sentence more complex or confusing. This can happen if the combined sentence becomes too long or if the different ideas being combined do not flow smoothly together.

2. Reduced variety in sentence structure: Sentence combining often involves merging shorter sentences into longer ones. While this can improve the overall flow and cohesion of a piece of writing, it can also lead to a lack of variety in sentence structure. This can make the writing monotonous and less engaging for the reader.

3. Overuse of conjunctions: Sentence combining often relies on the use of conjunctions such as "and," "but," or "because" to connect different ideas. However, excessive use of conjunctions can make the writing repetitive and less sophisticated. It is important to vary the ways in which ideas are connected to maintain reader interest.

4. Loss of emphasis: Combining sentences may result in the loss of emphasis on certain ideas or details. When sentences are merged, some information may be overshadowed or diluted, leading to a less impactful message. It is crucial to ensure that the most important ideas are not compromised during the process of sentence combining.

5. Time-consuming process: Sentence combining can be a time-consuming process, especially for inexperienced writers. It requires careful consideration of the ideas being combined, the appropriate conjunctions to use, and the overall impact on the clarity and flow of the writing. This can be challenging and may require multiple revisions to achieve the desired effect.

Overall, while sentence combining can be a useful technique for improving the cohesion and flow of writing, it is important to be aware of its potential drawbacks and limitations. Writers should strive for a balance between combining sentences for clarity and cohesion, while also maintaining variety in sentence structure and preserving the emphasis on important ideas.