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Course: Digital SAT Reading and Writing > Unit 5
Lesson 6: Boundaries: Linking ClausesGrammar guide: Linking clauses
A guide to linking clauses on the SAT.
What are clauses?
A clause is a series of words that contains a subject and a conjugated verb. There are two main types of clauses:
An independent clause can stand on its own as a complete sentence.
A dependent clause must be linked to an independent clause.
The SAT focuses on how clauses can be linked together (or kept apart). These conventions may be tested in Boundaries questions that you encounter on test day.
Linking clauses
There are several ways to link clauses. The SAT focuses on end of sentence punctuation, coordination, subordination, and semicolons.
Let's look at each in turn:
End of sentence punctuation
Using end punctuation (like a period or question mark) is the simplest way to separate clauses. You should be very familiar with using end punctuation in your own writing.
There are only two rules for end punctuation:
- The punctuation mark must match the function of the sentence it follows.
- End punctuation can only be used to separate two independent clauses.
Coordination
Coordination involves the linking of two independent clauses within a single sentence. To coordinate independent clauses, we must use two things:
- a comma (,)
- a coordinating conjunction
The only coordinating conjunctions in English are known as the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Subordination
Subordination involves linking two clauses by making one of the clauses dependent. To subordinate an independent clause, we must use two things:
- a subordinating conjunction
- a comma (,)*
Subordinating conjunctions are words that turn an independent clause into a dependent clause. There are many subordinating conjunctions, but some examples include although, since, because, while, when, and after.
*Note: Some subordinating conjunctions can link clauses without a comma, but only if the dependent clause comes second.
Semicolons
Semicolons can be used to link two independent clauses without any conjunction.
How to identify linking clauses questions
When approaching boundaries questions, it's important to identify which Standard English conventions are being tested.
You may want to look for errors in linking clauses if
- the choices add or remove commas and FANBOYS conjunctions
- the choices add or remove end punctuation like periods or question marks
- any choice contains a semicolon
If you don't see any of these features, then the question likely doesn't deal with linking clauses.
Let's look at a linking clauses question now:
Top tips
Use the before and after test
When you see choices that offer a variety of punctuation options, check if what comes before and after the blank are independent clauses. If one side of the blank is not an independent clause, then you're likely dealing with a supplements or punctuation question (which focus on different rules).
Your turn
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Can anybody give me a summary for this lesson? I'm struggling here!?!?!?(29 votes)
Independent clause: makes sense on its own
Dependent clause: doesn't make sense on its own
How do you link these clauses?
-punctuation [if it's a question, use a (?) if it's a statement, use (.)]
(^can only be used at the end of independent clauses)
-coordination [use a comma (,) or a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)]
(used to link independent clauses)
-subordination [use a comma (,) or a subordinating conjunction (eg: although, since, because, while, when, and after),--must use a comma with them (unless sentence begins with independent clause then the dependent clause]
-semicolons [ used to link two independent clauses without any conjunction.]
How to identify linking clauses questions?
-choices add or remove commas and FANBOYS
-choices add or remove end punctuation
-choice contains a semicolon
Tip---> Check if what comes before and after the blank are independent clauses. If one side of the blank is not an independent clause, then you're likely dealing with a supplements or punctuation question (linking clauses question).(153 votes)
- If both the end of sentence punctuation and the semicolon divide indepedent clauses, how should I know when to use either one of them? Are they not interchangable?(4 votes)
The semicolon is only for two related independent clauses. So you can say: Joe cleaned up after him; James didn't clean up after him. You can't say: Joe cleaned up after him; the assignment was completed successfully. because those two sentences aren't related.
Hope this helps!(30 votes)
- how do i know its an independent clause(4 votes)
- you'll have both subject and a verb(7 votes)
- One week to my very first SAT on May 5th as a senior, Im tensed guys, I’ve just gotta really pass really well! I just moved to the US and I’ve gotta prove myself. Haven’t taken any practice test. I just don’t know what to do and time is running out(6 votes)
- i am confused with the semi-colon exeample. if we remove the section before the semicolon in the correct example isn't" this makes it difficult to know when one is ready to eat." a dependent clause?(4 votes)
- No, it would not make it a dependent clause. If you took away the semicolon you would have to put a period.
A clause is not dependent or independent based on what punctuation you put. You put a certain punctuation based on what type of clause it is.
Does that make sense or do you want me to explain more?(5 votes)
- What is a independent clause(1 vote)
- A strong clause that is brave enough to face the world on its own.(9 votes)
- I am confused with the explanation of this
The Green Zebra tomato ripens without turning red; which makes it difficult to know when one is ready to eat.
I dont understand how this is incorrect sentence.(3 votes)
you dont need to use any punctuation before which, that or who. "i played football with the guy who was holding a spoon".(3 votes)
Hi what are the rules for colon (:) i noticed it was not mentioned but a semicolon (;) was.(3 votes)
Colon is used when you ask a question and then answer it or when a list is used. Examples
My friend says it best: "I like chocolate!"
We need 3 things on the adventure: Book, Candy, and Bike.(2 votes)
"*Note: Some subordinating conjunctions can link clauses without a comma, but only if the dependent clause comes second." Why after the word "comma" is comma? I mean, it`s seen that the second sentence is dependent, so there should not be a comma right?(3 votes)
You have to look for the important word after the comma, "but". It gives you all the information you need to answer your own question.(3 votes)
In the last question "Though Paul Revere....businessman" option C is marked as the correct answer, I think it is wrong, won't it create a comma splice...?(3 votes)