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SAT Reading & Writing
9. Rules Questions - Linking Independent Clauses
Written by: Pranav I
Formatted by: Rithanya S
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence
Semicolons (;)
- Functions like a period
- Can be used to connect two separate independent clauses
- The sentences still make sense when the semicolon is replaced by a period
🔥 Tip
Remember, a period and a semicolon function the same way. Chances are, if you see both of them in the answer choices with no changes in wording, both answers are wrong.
Commas (,)
- A comma can NEVER link two independent clauses
- A sentence that does this is called a comma splice or a run-on sentence
- A comma with a coordinating conjunction can be used to link two independent clauses
🔥 Tip
A comma must be put before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) if there are independent clauses both before and after the conjunction.
- He brushed his teeth and went to bed. ❌
- He brushed his teeth, and he went to bed. ✅
- He brushed his teeth, he went to bed. ❌
- He brushed his teeth and he went to bed. ❌
📄 FANBOYS
For And Nor But Or Yet So
For And Nor But Or Yet So
Colons and Dashes (: and -)
- A dash can be used in the same way as a colon
- A subordinating conjunction can be used to connect independent clauses, alone
- English punctuation is not always easy because there are often several possible ways to punctuate a sentence.
🔥 Tip
A colon or a single dash can only come after an independent clause.
NOTE: The part of the sentence after the colon/dash does not need to be an independent clause.
A colon or a single dash can only come after an independent clause.
NOTE: The part of the sentence after the colon/dash does not need to be an independent clause.
- Something that comes after a colon/dash, explains or elaborates what comes before a colon/dash
- A colon/dash cannot follow a preposition
- The fundraising contest offered rewards of: gift cards, headphones, and sneakers. ❌
- You should try to listen to the new album with- an open mind. ❌
Picking sides with Transitions
- Task: Determine where the punctuation goes based on which part of the sentence gets a transition
- Transitions are words that show the reader which direction the ideas are going to move in
- Look back at the previous sentence, if there is one, to choose the right transition to fill a blank
🔥 Tip
The College Board will never provide more than one right answer choice.
