Question

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:

Define a dependent clause

A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Analyze the options

• "during intermission, while we were discussing the performance": Contains the dependent clause "while we were discussing the performance" (subject: "we", verb: "were discussing", subordinating conjunction: "while"). The introductory phrase "during intermission" is a prepositional phrase. Together, this option functions as a dependent element.
• "dodging frantically, a valet ran through the crowd and into the theater": Contains an independent clause ("a valet ran through the crowd and into the theater") modified by a participial phrase ("dodging frantically").
• "dashing after him, two police officers plowed through the lobby crowd": Contains an independent clause ("two police officers plowed through the lobby crowd") modified by a participial phrase ("dashing after him").
• "discussing the commotion, we decided it was more exciting than the play": Contains an independent clause ("we decided it was more exciting than the play") modified by a participial phrase ("discussing the commotion").

Identify the correct choice

The first option is the only choice that consists of a dependent clause (introduced by the subordinating conjunction "while") and its modifying prepositional phrase, with no independent clause present.

Answer:

• (A) during intermission, while we were discussing the performance (Correct answer)
• (B) dodging frantically, a valet ran through the crowd and into the theater
• (C) dashing after him, two police officers plowed through the lobby crowd
• (D) discussing the commotion, we decided it was more exciting than the play