Quick Answer
A relative pronoun is a word used to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. On the Digital SAT, these appear frequently in the Reading and Writing section, particularly within Standard English Conventions questions. Mastery of terms like who, which, and that is essential for correcting sentence structure and punctuation errors.
A relative pronoun introduces a relative clause that modifies a noun or pronoun, acting as a bridge between the noun and its description. Grammatically, these include who, whom, whose, which, and that, each governed by specific rules regarding human versus non-human antecedents.
Question: The architect, [who / which] designed the skyscraper, won an award. Solution: Use 'who' because the antecedent is 'architect' (a person). 'Which' is reserved for inanimate objects or animals. Correct sentence: The architect, who designed the skyscraper, won an award.
Using 'which' for people: Students often use 'which' to refer to individuals, but 'who' or 'whom' is grammatically required for human antecedents.
Misplacing commas with 'that': Students frequently place commas before 'that' clauses, though 'that' introduces restrictive clauses which should not be set off by commas.
Confusing 'who' and 'whom': Students struggle to distinguish between subject and object cases, often defaulting to 'who' even when the pronoun functions as the object of a verb or preposition.
Students targeting 750+ should know that 'whose' is the only relative pronoun that can possessively refer to both people and inanimate objects. While 'who' is strictly for people, 'whose' can be used in phrases like 'the car whose engine stalled,' preventing the need for more awkward 'of which' constructions.
Dependent Clause
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.
Nonrestrictive Clause
A nonrestrictive clause is a descriptive element in the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section that provides non-essential information about a noun. These clauses, frequently tested in Standard English Conventions questions, appear in approximately 15-20% of grammar-based items and must be set off by symmetrical punctuation such as commas, dashes, or parentheses.
Pronoun Reference
Pronoun reference is a grammatical rule tested on the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section. It requires that every pronoun refers clearly to a single, specific noun (the antecedent). This concept typically appears in Standard English Conventions questions, appearing approximately two to four times per exam to test clarity and logic.
Restrictive Clause
A restrictive clause is an essential grammatical unit that limits or identifies the noun it modifies. On the Digital SAT, these clauses appear frequently within the Standard English Conventions questions. Unlike nonrestrictive clauses, they are never set off by commas, a distinction typically tested in approximately 2 to 4 questions per exam.
Who vs Whom
Who vs Whom distinguishes between subjective and objective relative pronouns on the Digital SAT. This grammar concept typically appears in the Reading and Writing section under Standard English Conventions. It is a niche topic, appearing approximately once per exam, requiring students to identify the pronoun's grammatical role within a clause.
Relative pronouns are words like 'who,' 'which,' and 'that' that introduce dependent clauses to describe a preceding noun. On the Digital SAT, these appear in the Reading and Writing section. They are vital for ensuring sentence clarity and proper grammatical structure, especially when distinguishing between essential and non-essential information within the complex academic texts provided.
To use a relative pronoun, first identify the antecedent—the noun being modified. Use 'who' or 'whom' for people and 'which' or 'that' for objects. Next, determine if the clause is restrictive or non-restrictive. Non-restrictive clauses usually use 'which' and require commas, while restrictive clauses often use 'that' and do not take commas in Standard English.
The difference between 'that' and other relative pronouns like 'which' lies in the necessity of the information. 'That' is used for restrictive clauses, which are essential to the sentence's meaning and do not use commas. Conversely, 'which' is used for non-restrictive clauses, which provide extra, non-essential detail and must be set off by commas on the SAT.
While the exact number varies by test version, you will typically encounter approximately 2 to 4 questions involving relative pronouns on the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section. These are usually embedded within broader Standard English Conventions tasks, such as punctuation or pronoun-antecedent agreement, making them a consistent component of the grammar-based questions.
