Joining and Separating Sentences

What is the mandatory grammatical condition for using end punctuation (such as a period) between clauses?

End punctuation can only be used to separate two independent clauses [2].

What is an independent clause versus a dependent clause?

An independent clause can stand on its own as a complete sentence, whereas a dependent clause must be linked to an independent clause [2].

What are the 3 steps for solving clause-linking questions on the Digital SAT?

1. Read from the sentence start all the way to the period (including choices in the blank); 2. Eliminate choices creating errors; 3. Identify the correct answer [2, 3].

What are the three valid ways to separate two complete independent clauses?

1. Period or Semicolon; 2. Comma + Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS); 3. Colon or Dash [1, 3, 7].

Can a comma alone separate two independent clauses?

No; separating two independent clauses with a comma alone creates an ungrammatical comma splice [1, 3, 8].

How should you handle an SAT answer choice that contains a semicolon followed immediately by "and" (e.g., "; and") between two independent clauses?

Eliminate it immediately because combining a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction creates an ungrammatical double joiner [8].

What two elements are required to coordinate two independent clauses within one sentence?

A comma (,) AND a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) [3].

What two elements are required for subordination when the dependent clause comes first?

A subordinating conjunction (e.g., although, because) AND a comma (,) [3].

Under what condition can a subordinating conjunction link two clauses without a comma?

Only when the dependent clause comes second in the sentence [3].

Why do trailing prepositional, -ing, or subordinating phrases frequently create sentence-boundary errors on the SAT?

They seem to fit at the end of sentence 1, but reading to the period reveals they belong to sentence 2 as an introductory phrase [1, 4-6].

How should you punctuate a boundary where an -ing phrase (e.g., "Depicting a wide range…") introduces the second sentence?

Place a period before the -ing word to complete the first sentence and start the new sentence with the introductory phrase [5].

How should you punctuate a boundary when a prepositional phrase (e.g., "Over the course of her career") introduces the second sentence?

Separate the two complete sentences with a period before the prepositional phrase [4].

Under what specific condition can a colon or dash separate two independent clauses?

Only when the second clause explains or describes a result of the first clause [7].

If a second independent clause adds extra details to a topic but does not explain the first clause, should you use a colon or a semicolon?

Use a semicolon or period; a colon is incorrect unless the second clause explains or gives a result of the first [7].

What is the shortcut warning signal for a pronoun-triggered comma splice on the SAT?

The construction comma + pronoun (e.g., ", it", ", he", ", she", ", they") joining two clauses [8].

How must conjunctive adverbs (e.g., however, therefore) or time adverbs (e.g., today, currently) be punctuated when beginning a clause?

They must follow a period or semicolon (e.g., "; today," or ". Today,") [9].

Why is option choice "drama, he is particularly known" incorrect on the SAT?

It joins two independent clauses with only a comma, creating an ungrammatical comma splice [8].