Question

standard (15111)
compound and complex sentences
quiz complete
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
which is a dependent clause?
during intermission, while we were discussing the performance
dodging frantically, a valet ran through the crowd and into the theater
dashing after him, two police officers plowed through the lobby crowd
discussing the commotion, we decided it was more exciting than the play

Explanation:

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and relies on an independent clause. Let's analyze each option:

• Option 1: "while we were discussing the performance" is a dependent clause (starts with subordinating conjunction "while", has a subject and verb but can't stand alone). The "during intermission" is a phrase, but the clause here is dependent.
• Option 2: "dodging frantically" is a phrase, and "a valet ran through the crowd and into the theater" is an independent clause (can stand alone).
• Option 3: "dashing after him" is a phrase, and "two police officers plowed through the lobby crowd" is an independent clause.
• Option 4: "discussing the commotion" is a phrase, and "we decided it was more exciting than the play" is an independent clause.

So the dependent clause is in the first option.

Answer:

A. during intermission, while we were discussing the performance