Question

How can these sentences be combined to include a dependent clause?

The coach announced the starters. The players sat on the bench.

The coach announced the starters, but the players sat on the bench.

The coach announced the starters while the players sat on the bench.

The coach announced the starters and sat on the bench.

The coach announced the starters; the players sat on the bench.
i think its b

Answer 1

Your guess of choice 'b' is very close, but that's not quite right.

Note that a \(\bf\color{lime}{dependent}\) clause (which contains only a subject and a verb) \(\rm\underline{depends}\) on more information to be added in order for it to become a complete sentence whereas an \(\bf\color{lime}{independent}\) clause is a complete thought (or a complete sentence).

\(\bf\color{blueviolet}{Examples:}\)

\(\bf\color{cyan}{Dependent~Clause:}\)

"\(\rm\color{cyan}{The~cat~was~sleeping.}\)"
"\(\rm\color{cyan}{She~ran~away.}\)"

\(\bf\color{blueviolet}{Independent~Clause:}\)

"\(\rm\color{blueviolet}{The~tiny~mouse~ate~the~cheese~happily.}\)"
"\(\rm\color{blueviolet}{A~lonesome~man~attempted~to~ask~a~pretty~girl~on~a~date.}\)"

\(\bf\color{lime}{Now~let's~combine~them!}\)

"\(\rm\color{blueviolet}{The~tiny~mouse~ate~the~cheese~happily}\) \(\rm\color{lime}{while}\) \(\rm\color{cyan}{the~cat~was~sleeping.}\)"

"\(\rm\color{blueviolet}{A~lonesome~man~attempted~to~ask~a~pretty~girl~on~a~date,}\) \(\rm\color{lime}{but}\) \(\rm\color{cyan}{she~ran~away.}\)"

Notice how these are combined using the word '\(\rm\color{lime}{and}\)'. Words such as 'and' are known as \(\rm\underline{conjunctions}\). \(\bf\color{lime}{Conjunctions}\) are used to help combine sentences (or thoughts).

After reading all of the information I that have provided, please tell me which answer you now believe is correct.