#AP SAT (Digital) - Clause Linking: Your Ultimate Guide 🚀

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the SAT with a deep dive into clause linking. This is all about making your sentences clear, varied, and error-free. You've got this! 💪

Jump to Coordinating Conjunctions

Jump to Subordinating Conjunctions

Jump to Common Errors

Jump to Final Exam Focus

Jump to Practice Questions

# Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS Unite! 🦸

#Purpose and Usage

• FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) are your go-to for joining two independent clauses of equal importance.
• Always use a comma before the FANBOYS when connecting two independent clauses. ✍️
• They show relationships like:
  • Addition: and (e.g., She likes to sing, and she loves to dance)
  • Contrast: but (e.g., He was tired, but he kept going)
  • Consequence: so (e.g., It was raining, so we stayed inside)
• Don't overuse them! Too many can make your writing sound choppy or create run-on sentences.
• They can also join other sentence elements (nouns, adjectives, phrases) without needing a comma (e.g., I like coffee and tea).

#Examples and Applications

• "She studied hard, and she passed the exam."
• "The movie was long, but it was entertaining."
• "I wanted to go to the party, yet I had to finish my homework."
• "We can eat at home, or we can go to a restaurant."

# Subordinating Conjunctions: Adding Complexity ✨

#Function and Structure

• These guys connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, making complex sentences.
• Common ones include: after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, while.
• Dependent clauses have a subject and verb but can't stand alone (e.g., because it was raining).
• Use a comma when the dependent clause comes before the independent clause (e.g., Because it was raining, we stayed inside).
• No comma needed when the independent clause comes first (e.g., We stayed inside because it was raining), unless it's nonessential info.

#Relationship Types

• They show relationships like:
  • Time: when, after, before, while, until (e.g., After the concert ended, we went out for dinner)
  • Cause: because, since, as (e.g., Because it was raining, we canceled the picnic)
  • Condition: if, unless (e.g., If you study hard, you will improve your grades)

# Common Errors in Clause Linking: Avoid These! 🙅‍♀️

#Comma Splices

• This is when you join two independent clauses with just a comma (no FANBOYS!).
• How to fix it:
  • Add a FANBOYS after the comma (e.g., The sun was setting, and the sky turned orange)
  • Use a semicolon instead (e.g., The sun was setting; the sky turned orange)
  • Make them two separate sentences (e.g., The sun was setting. The sky turned orange)

#Run-on Sentences

• These happen when you join independent clauses without any proper punctuation or conjunctions.
• How to fix it:
  • Add a FANBOYS with a comma (e.g., I love reading books, and I visit the library often)
  • Use a semicolon (e.g., I love reading books; I visit the library often)
  • Make them separate sentences (e.g., I love reading books. I visit the library often)

#Sentence Fragments

• These are dependent clauses pretending to be complete sentences (they're missing an independent clause!).
• How to fix it:
  • Attach the dependent clause to a nearby independent clause (e.g., Because it was raining, we stayed indoors)
  • Rewrite the fragment to make it a complete sentence (e.g., It was raining, so we stayed indoors)

#Importance of Clause Recognition

• Being able to tell the difference between independent and dependent clauses is crucial.
• It helps you avoid errors and write clear, grammatically correct sentences.
• This will boost your overall writing quality and make your ideas shine! ✨

# Final Exam Focus: Top Priorities 🎯

• High-Value Topics:
  • Mastering FANBOYS and subordinating conjunctions.
  • Identifying and fixing comma splices and run-on sentences.
  • Recognizing and correcting sentence fragments.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of correct clause linking.
  • Sentence correction questions where you have to fix errors in clause linking.
  • Essay questions where clear and correct sentence structure is essential.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
  • Common Pitfalls: Watch out for tricky sentences with multiple clauses. Break them down to identify the core structure.
  • Strategies: Read each sentence carefully and identify the clauses. Then, check if they are linked correctly.

Clause linking is a fundamental skill tested across the SAT. Make sure you're confident with all the rules!

# Practice Questions: Let's Test Your Skills! 📝

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated: a) The cat slept soundly, it was dreaming of chasing mice. b) The cat slept soundly, and it was dreaming of chasing mice. c) The cat slept soundly it was dreaming of chasing mice. d) The cat slept soundly; but it was dreaming of chasing mice.

2. Which of the following sentences contains a comma splice? a) The rain fell heavily, the wind howled loudly. b) The rain fell heavily, and the wind howled loudly. c) Because the rain fell heavily, the wind howled loudly. d) The rain fell heavily; the wind howled loudly.

3. Select the sentence that uses a subordinating conjunction correctly: a) Although, the sun was shining, it was still cold. b) The sun was shining, although it was still cold. c) The sun was shining although it was still cold. d) Although the sun was shining it was still cold.

#Free Response Question

Instructions: Rewrite the following paragraph, correcting all errors in clause linking. Be sure to use a variety of coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. Explain your choices.

Original Paragraph:

The concert was amazing the band played all their hits. The crowd cheered loudly they danced all night. Because it was late, we decided to go home. We were tired we had a great time.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Corrected Sentences (4 points):
  • 1 point for each correctly revised sentence.
  • Sentences must be free of comma splices, run-ons, and fragments.
  • Use of a variety of conjunctions is expected.
• Explanation (3 points):
  • 1 point for identifying each error (comma splice, run-on, fragment).
  • 1 point for explaining the choice of conjunction used.
  • 1 point for explaining why the original sentence was incorrect.

Answer:

The concert was amazing, and the band played all their hits. The crowd cheered loudly, and they danced all night. Because it was late, we decided to go home. Although we were tired, we had a great time.

• Explanation:
  • The first sentence was a run-on, so I added the coordinating conjunction “and” with a comma to join the two independent clauses.
  • The second sentence was also a run-on, so I used the coordinating conjunction “and” with a comma to join the two independent clauses.
  • The third sentence was correct; it used the subordinating conjunction “because” correctly.
  • The fourth sentence was a run-on, so I used the subordinating conjunction “although” to connect the dependent clause to the independent clause.

Alright, you've made it to the end! You're now equipped to tackle clause linking like a pro. Go get 'em! 🎉