Key Strategies for Using Words and Phrases for Linking Clauses SAT Practice Questions for Digital SAT
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In digital sat grammar, linking clauses questions require you to link types of clauses with a comma or alternative.
- linking clauses explained
- linking clauses SAT practice with how to answer
- FAQ linking clauses
Key Takeaways:
- a clause can be a sentence, a simple sentence, so it does not need any punctuation
- compound sentences are either
- like 2 sentences joined together with words like ‘and’ or ‘but.’ These are clauses and they make sense by themselves. They don’t need punctuation.
- other sentences have a main part and a second part that does not make sense by itself. These dependent clauses are separated by a comma, and often start with words like these:
- because, since, so, so that, if, where, who, when, how, why, which, that, whoever, whenever, once, before, after, while, during, until, although, unless
the answer is often a comma
What is a Clause?
A clause is a series of words that contains a subject and a verb. There are two main types of clauses in the English language:
Independent Clauses
- makes sense on its own
- e.g. The man was walking along the road
Dependent Clauses
- doesn’t make sense on its own
- e.g. when he saw a friendly cat
SAT and Punctuating Clauses
SAT deals with end of sentence punctuation, coordination, subordination, and semicolons.
- Coordinate clauses are two or more independent clauses in a sentence
- A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence
To coordinate independent clauses:
- a comma (,) followed by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
To subordinate an independent clause, we must use two things:
- a subordinating conjunction and a comma (,)
- examples include although, since, because, while, when, and after.
look for
- a comma followed by one of these: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
- end punctuation like periods or question marks
- uses a semicolon
but not
- 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)
Use Linking Words and Phrases to Answer Example SAT Questions
LINKING CLAUSES QUESTION 1
In order to retrieve and study the bones of the early hominids. The paleoanthropologist hired a team of explorers who were thin enough to fit through the cave’s extremely narrow chute.
Choose 1 answer:
- A NO CHANGE
- B hominids; the
- C hominids, the
- D hominids the
how to answer – It is not a new sentence so the answer is probably a comma. Just check it is not a colon. It is not a colon, so C is the answer.
LINKING CLAUSES QUESTION 2
Andre and Chuck played chess together every day, but after fifteen years, Andre had only won once.
Choose 1 answer:
- A NO CHANGE
- B day but
- C day,
- D day
how to answer – It is a comma and is correctly followed by a conjunction (but), so A is correct.
LINKING CLAUSES QUESTION 3
Since the discovery of China’s Terracotta Army in 1974, archaeologists have studied the 7,000 statues, but they have not yet determined if each statue was based on an actual person.
Choose 1 answer:
- A NO CHANGE
- B statues,
- C statues but
- D statues
how to answer – If it seems an easy question and the answer is a comma then it probably is, most are! Answer is A.
LINKING CLAUSES QUESTION 4
Although Indonesia claims to have the most islands of any nation. Finland, with 180,000 islands, actually has more.
Choose 1 answer:
- A NO CHANGE
- B nation; Finland,
- C nation: Finland,
- D nation, Finland,
How to answer – yes, again it is a comma, so D is the answer
FAQ Learn Linking Clauses
What are the clauses in SAT grammar?
In SAT grammar, a clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb.
What is coordination of main clauses within a sentence SAT?
Coordination means joining two independent clauses (main clauses) to show that they are equal in importance. On the SAT, this is done using a comma and a coordinating conjunction like “and,” “but,” or “so” (called the FANBOYS). You must use correct punctuation to avoid run-ons or fragments.
When for linking two clauses?
You link two clauses when you want to show a relationship between two ideas. If both are complete sentences, use a semicolon, period, or a comma with a coordinating conjunction. If one is incomplete, use a subordinating conjunction like “because” or “although” to connect ideas clearly and correctly.
What is the FANBOYS rule in SAT?
FANBOYS stands for “for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so”—the seven coordinators used to join two independent clauses. On the SAT, use a comma before a FANBOYS word only if both sides are complete sentences. This rule helps test your understanding of sentence structure and idea connection.
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Official Explanations
1
- (Choice A, Incorrect) This choice results in a sentence fragment before the period. The first clause lacks a main verb and subject, so it can’t stand on its own as a sentence.
- (Choice B, Incorrect) This choice results in a sentence fragment before the semicolon. Semicolons ordinarily require independent clauses before and after them.
- (Choice C, Checked, Correct) This choice correctly combines a dependent clause (“In . . . hominids”) and an independent clause (“The paleoanthropologist . . . narrow chute”) with a comma.
- (Choice D, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t effectively punctuate the break between the dependent clause (“In . . . hominids”) and the independent clause (“The paleoanthropologist . . . narrow chute.”). There needs to be punctuation between these two clauses to avoid a run-on sentence.
2
- (Choice A, Checked, Correct) This choice effectively uses a comma and the conjunction “but” to join two independent clauses. It also appropriately expresses contrast.
- (Choice B, Incorrect) This choice results in a run on sentence. “Andre . . . every day” and “after . . . once” are both independent clauses and need to be separated with some form of punctuation.
- (Choice C, Incorrect) This choice results in a comma splice error. “Andre . . . every day” and “after . . . once” are both independent clauses and need to be separated either by a semicolon or a conjunction + a comma.
- (Choice D, Incorrect) This choice results in a comma splice error. “Andre . . . every day” and “after . . . once” are both independent clauses and need to be separated either by a semicolon or a conjunction + a comma.
3
- (Choice A, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. It appropriately uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but” to join two independent clauses.
- (Choice B, Incorrect) This choice creates a comma splice error. Both “archaeologists . . . statues” and “but . . . person” are independent clauses, so they can’t be separated by just a comma.
- (Choice C, Incorrect) This choice creates a run-on sentence error. Both “archaeologists . . . statues” and “but . . . person” are independent clauses, so they need to be separated by some form of punctuation.
- (Choice D, Incorrect) This choice creates a run-on sentence error. Both “archaeologists . . . statues” and “but . . . person” are independent clauses, so they need to be separated by some form of punctuation.
4
- (Choice A, Incorrect) NO CHANGE This choice results in a sentence fragment before the period. It lacks a main subject and verb and can’t stand on its own as a sentence.
- (Choice B, Incorrect) This choice results in a sentence fragment before the semicolon. Semicolons ordinarily require independent clauses before and after them.
- (Choice C, Incorrect) This choice results in an inappropriate use of a colon. A colon can only follow an independent
- Choice D, Checked, Correct) This choice correctly uses a comma to link a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Quick Ways to Link Ideas in SAT Grammar
- Use FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to connect complete ideas.
- Use a comma + FANBOYS only when both clauses are complete.
- Words like because, although, while show connection within one sentence.
These transitions help students write clearly and connect categories of information using words that match the meaning.
Fast Grammar Rules for Linking Clauses
- A complete idea (clause) has a subject + verb.
- Link two complete ideas with a semicolon, or with a comma + FANBOYS.
- Link an incomplete idea to a complete one using words like since, if, or unless.
This is the best way to show the interaction between ideas in SAT grammar—quick, free grammar information you can read and remember.