The focus of PSAT prep #5 was on one aspect of recognizing sentences: how do you know whether a group of related words with a subject and verb is a sentence? It is not a sentence when it begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun and the group of related words is not connected to an independent clause. Subordinating conjunctions were addressed in the last prep; today, relative pronouns.

PSAT prep 6

Relative pronouns are: that, which, who, whoever, whom, whomever, whose, what, and whatever.

For example,  “The book that Fatima left on the table was lost.”  The independent clause, the one that can stand alone, is “The book was lost” and is a sentence.  The subordinate clause beginning with a relative pronoun is “that Fatima left on the table” cannot stand alone and is not a sentence.

Consider the following sentences.  Identify the relative pronouns and the dependent clauses they begin:

1. The assignment that Mr. Wojtys logged into Google Classroom was completed by every student.
2. Mohammad is a student who always does his homework on time.
3. Ayah has become the student to whom other students turn for help.
4. Whoever wants to succeed in school can by completing the enrichment assignments and reading logs during the shutdown.
5. The Lowrey spirit is what inspires all students.

Restate in your own words these key concepts: independent clause, subordinate clause, clause versus phrase, subordinating conjunction, relative pronoun.  Compose at least five sentences showing that you understand this lesson. Identify the independent clause, the dependent clause, and the relative pronoun.