How do you know the capitalized group of words is a dependent clause?
Nancy pulled over to ask for directions BECAUSE SHE WAS LOST.
a. It can stand on its own as a complete sentence and starts with a conjunction.
b. It cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence and begins with a pronoun.
c. It can stand on its own as a sentence and begins with a pronoun.
d. It cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence and begins with a conjunction. ***
You are correct.
To determine if the capitalized group of words is a dependent clause, we need to analyze its structure and function within the sentence.
In the sentence "Nancy pulled over to ask for directions BECAUSE SHE WAS LOST," the capitalized group of words is "BECAUSE SHE WAS LOST." This group of words functions as an adverbial clause, providing a reason or cause for Nancy's action of pulling over.
Now, let's evaluate the answer choices:
a. It can stand on its own as a complete sentence and starts with a conjunction.
This option is not correct because "BECAUSE SHE WAS LOST" cannot function as a complete sentence on its own. It is a dependent clause, relying on the main clause ("Nancy pulled over to ask for directions") to form a complete thought.
b. It cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence and begins with a pronoun.
This option is not correct because "BECAUSE SHE WAS LOST" does not begin with a pronoun. It begins with the subordinating conjunction "BECAUSE."
c. It can stand on its own as a sentence and begins with a pronoun.
This option is not correct because, as mentioned before, "BECAUSE SHE WAS LOST" is a dependent clause that cannot function as a complete sentence by itself.
d. It cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence and begins with a conjunction.
This option is correct. "BECAUSE SHE WAS LOST" is a dependent clause since it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, and it begins with the subordinating conjunction "BECAUSE."
Based on this analysis, the correct answer is d. It cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence and begins with a conjunction.