PSAT/SAT Reading

Clause

a group of words that has:

• a subject (who/what)

• a verb (action/state).

Independent Clause (IC)

A complete thought that can stand alone.

Example the students studied.

Dependent Clause (DC)

An incomplete thought that cannot stand alone

Ex: Because the students studied.

Dependent-Clause Words that often make a clause dependent:

Because,although,when,if,since,after,before,unless,while,

though

Fragment

A dependent clause by itself.

Run On

Two independent clauses with no punctuation.

Ex: The students studied they passed.

Comma Splices

Two independent clauses joined by only a comma.

Ex: The students studied,they passed.

Semicolon

Joins two independent clauses correctly.

FANBOYS

Words used with a comma to join two independent clauses

For

And

Nor

But

Or

Yet

So