For the CSET test, you ought to know what independent and dependent clauses are.

Another term for dependent clause is subordinate clause: which means the clause is subordinate to another component (the independent clause) and depends on that different element for its meaning.

A dependent clause is a clause which cannot exist by itself; it needs a main (or independent) clause to go along with it. For instance:

Because it was raining, I took my umbrella.

This sentence comprises two clauses, “Because it was raining” and “I took my umbrella”. The first clause does not mean anything on its own. When you say “Because it was raining”, and nothing else, people will be unable to know what you mean. Nevertheless, “I took my umbrella” is an independent clause – we will understand what it means even when it is by itself.

The distinction between an independent and dependent clause rests on the appearance of one word.

Dependent markers include words like: as, after, before, until, once, since, while, when, whenever (relating to time), where, wherever (relating to place), although, though, despite,if, even if, even though, how, unless, whether, because, in order to, why, who, which, that (relative pronouns).

Contemplate how the addition of one phrase changes the character of the clause:

The inspector uses a dye to reveal imperfections within the metal. (independent clause)

After the inspector makes use of a dye to reveal imperfections within the metal… (dependent clause)

Unless the inspector uses a dye to disclose imperfections within the metal… (dependent clause)

Only the first example is an independent clause and a whole sentence. By including a dependent marker reminiscent of “after” or “until,” we turn the last two examples into dependent clauses. And because these examples are dependent, they cannot be complete sentences.

Again, a dependent clause cannot constitute a whole sentence by itself. Because a dependent clause alone is a sentence fragment, the final two examples above need an independent clause so as to make an entire sentence.

After the inspector uses a dye to disclose imperfections in the steel, she examines the turbine under a magnifying glass and black light.

Our buyer is not going to settle for our bid unless the inspector makes use of a dye to reveal imperfections in the metal.

Note that dependent clauses may come before or after an independent clause. They could even be inserted into another clause, as in this case: “The inspector, who makes use of a dye to reveal imperfections within the steel, gave last month’s quality assurance statistics.

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