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SAT Reading & Writing
10. Rules Questions - Dependent Clauses, Lists and No Punctuation
Written by: Pranav I
Formatted by: Rithanya S
Every Dependent Clause needs a friend
- A dependent clause cannot be its own sentence, and needs an independent clause to make a complete sentence
- A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it starts with a subordinating word or phrase
- They wanted to watch a movie (INDEPENDENT)
- because they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- since they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- that they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- if they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- though they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- when they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- A dependent clause cannot be its own sentence, and needs an independent clause to make a complete sentence
- A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it starts with a subordinating word or phrase
- They wanted to watch a movie (INDEPENDENT)
- because they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- since they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- that they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- if they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- though they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
- when they wanted to watch a movie (DEPENDENT)
🗒️ Ways of connecting an independent clause and a dependent clause
- Independent + Dependent
- Dependent + Independent
- In either of these cases, a comma is the only punctuation allowed
- Usually:
- The Independent + Dependent combination will not have a comma
- The Dependent + Independent combination will have a comma
- Examples:
- Because it was raining, I brought my umbrella (or) I brought my umbrella because it was raining
- If you are ready, we can leave the house now (or) We can leave the house now if you are ready
- NOTE: A comma can sometimes be used in the Independent + Dependent combination
- While dogs need care more frequently, cats can be left alone for several days. ✅
- Cats can be left alone for several days, while dogs need care more frequently. ✅
- Happens when there is a contrast, or when the author wants to put a greater pause/separation between the ideas
- If the dependent clause in the Independent + Dependent combination is Extra Information, it can be joined with a DASH
Add it to your list - punctuation, that is
- A list should always have and or or before the final item
- The Digital SAT will put a comma before the and or or, unlike many newspapers
- NOTE: The Oxford comma will not be tested
- The key in answering List Questions is, simply put, identifying the list
🗒️ The Semicolon Exception
Semicolons can separate a complicated list that includes commas within one or more of the list items.
Don’t go where you’re not wanted - if you’re a punctuation
- Don’t put punctuation where there is Specifying Information.
- Never put a single punctuation mark in between a subject and its verb.
- Don’t put punctuation after a preposition.
- Above all else, don’t use punctuation unless you have a reason to do so.
