RW-SEC-08 · Standard English Conventions

Conventional sentence structure and sense

Form, Structure, and Sense · Stage 2

01 · Key idea

Check that dependent clauses connect to a complete main clause.

Build on: RW-SEC-04

02 · Worked example

Choose the clearer sentence: “Because the sample was small.” or “Because the sample was small, the result was uncertain.”

This teaching example is original and is not an official SAT question.

Reasoning

The first choice is a fragment; the second completes the cause-and-effect thought.

Answer

Because the sample was small, the result was uncertain.

03 · Next step

Practice questions remain in English, as on the SAT.

RW-SEC-08 · Conventional sentence structure and sense