Quick Answer
A **dependent clause** is a group of words containing a subject and verb that cannot stand alone as a sentence. On the Digital SAT, these frequently appear in the Reading and Writing section, particularly within 'Standard English Conventions' questions where students must correctly punctuate the relationship between clauses to avoid fragments.
A dependent clause, or subordinate clause, is a part of a sentence that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It is typically introduced by a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although) or a relative pronoun (e.g., which, who).
Question: Although the team practiced diligently for months [ ] they were unable to secure a victory in the championship game. Options: A) , B) ; C) . D) (no punctuation) Solution: A is correct. The sentence begins with a dependent clause ('Although the team practiced diligently for months'). In English grammar, when a dependent clause precedes an independent clause, a comma is required to separate them.
Treating it as a sentence: Students often mistake a long dependent clause for a complete sentence, resulting in a sentence fragment error.
Using a semicolon: Students incorrectly use semicolons to join a dependent clause to an independent clause, which is only permissible for two independent clauses.
Missing the introductory comma: Students frequently omit the necessary comma after an introductory dependent clause, failing to signal the start of the main subject and verb.
Students targeting 750+ should know that relative clauses (a type of dependent clause) starting with 'which' are almost always non-restrictive and require commas, whereas those starting with 'that' are restrictive and should never be set off by commas on the SAT.
Comma Splice
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a comma without a conjunction. On the Digital SAT, this error is frequently tested within the 'Boundaries' question type in the Reading and Writing section. Students must identify these mistakes to ensure sentences are punctuated according to Standard English Conventions.
Independent Clause
An independent clause is a grammatical unit that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. On the Digital SAT, this concept is frequently tested in the Reading and Writing section, particularly within Standard English Conventions questions. Students must often distinguish between independent and dependent clauses to avoid punctuation errors like comma splices.
Subordinate Clause
A subordinate clause is a group of words containing a subject and verb that cannot stand alone. On the Digital SAT, these appear frequently in the Reading and Writing section, particularly within Boundaries and Form questions. Students must correctly punctuate them relative to independent clauses to avoid fragments, a common error on approximately 15% of grammar items.
Subordinating Conjunction
Subordinating conjunctions are essential words on the Digital SAT that link a dependent clause to an independent clause. These terms, such as 'because' or 'although,' frequently appear in the Reading and Writing section, particularly within Standard English Conventions questions, where they determine logical relationships and proper sentence boundaries.
A dependent clause on the SAT is a phrase that contains a subject and a verb but starts with a subordinator, preventing it from expressing a complete thought. In the Reading and Writing section, these clauses are tested to ensure students can punctuate them correctly. Recognizing them is essential for avoiding fragments and ensuring that every sentence has at least one independent clause to function correctly.
You can identify a dependent clause by looking for subordinating conjunctions like 'because,' 'if,' 'since,' or 'while' at the beginning of a word group that has a subject and a verb. If the clause sounds 'unfinished' or leaves you waiting for more information to complete the thought, it is likely dependent. On the SAT, these often function as modifiers for the main sentence.
The primary difference is that an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot. An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a full idea. A dependent clause also has a subject and verb but starts with a word that makes it rely on an independent clause to make sense, often acting as an adverb or adjective.
While the exact number varies by test version, approximately four to six questions in the Reading and Writing modules typically involve the identification or punctuation of dependent clauses. These questions usually fall under the 'Standard English Conventions' category. Mastering this concept is vital because it overlaps with other tested areas like boundaries, punctuation, and sentence structure, appearing consistently across both modules.
