Clauses
Clauses
Clauses
Answer: subordinate.
2. What is the difference between adjective and adverb phrases & adjective and adverb clauses?
Answer: Adjective and adverb clauses have both a subject and a verb.
3. Identify the italicized clause as independent or subordinate. If subordinate, tell whether it is a
noun, adjective or adverb clause.
Everyone who went to school remembers their favorite teacher.
Answer: subordinate, adjective
4. Identify the italicized clause as independent or subordinate. If subordinate, tell whether it is a
noun, adjective or adverb clause.
I found a quarter and I bought a piece of gum.
Answer: independent
5.Identify the italicized clause as independent or subordinate. If subordinate, tell whether it is a
noun, adjective or adverb clause.
Whoever needs to sleep should go to bed.
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For more information about how to use these words click on the link for an explanation of the
usage.
List of Words (subordinating conjunctions) Introducing Adverb Clauses
TIME
after, before,
when, while,
as, by the
time (that),
as soon as,
since, until,
whenever,
the first time
(that), the
next time
(that), the
last time
(that), every
time (that) more
information
on adverb
clauses with
time
expressions
CAUSE
AND
EFFECT
because,
since, as, as
long as, so
long as, due
to the fact
that - more
information
on adverb
clauses with
expressions
of cause and
effect
OPPOSITION CONDITION
although, even
though,
though,
whereas, while
- more
information on
adverb clauses
with
expressions of
opposition
He was talking on
the phone when I
arrived.
When
We'll go to lunch
when you come to
visit.
Before
After
While, as
By the time
By the time he
finished, I had
cooked dinner.
We will have
finished our
homework by the
time they arrive.
Until, till
Since
Whenever he
comes, we go to
have lunch at
"Dick's".
Whenever,
every time
As soon as
The first,
second, third,
fourth etc.,
next, last time
We waited until he
finished his
homework.
We take a hike
every time he visits.
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Because
They received a
high mark on
their exam
because they had
studied hard.
Notice how because
can be used with a
I'm studying
variety of tenses
based on the time
hard because I
want to pass my relationship
between the two
exam.
clauses.
He works a lot of
overtime
because his rent
is so expensive
Since
As long as
As the test is
difficult, you had
better get some
sleep.
Inasmuch as the
students had
succesfully
completed their
exams, their
parents rewarded
their efforts by
giving them a
trip to Paris.
'Inasmuch as'
means the same as
because.
'Inasmuch as' is
used in very
formal, written
English.
We will be
staying for an
extra week due
to the fact that
we haven not yet
finished.
As
Inasamuch
as
Due to the
fact that
English grammar
adverb clauses
If
Even if
If we win,
we'll go to
Kelly's to
celebrate!
Even if she
saves a lot,
she won't be
able to afford
that house.
In contrast to
sentences with 'if'
sentences with 'even if'
show a result that is
unexpected based on
the condition in the
'even if' clause.
Example: COMPARE: If
she studies hard, she
will pass the exam AND
Even if she studies
hard, she won't pass
the exam.
Whether
or not
'Whether or not'
expresses the idea that
neither one condition or
another matters; the
result will be the same.
Notice the possibility of
Whether they
inversion (Whether they
have money or have money or not)
not, they
with 'whether or not'.
won't be able
to come.
Unless she
hurries up, we
won't arrive in
time.
We won't go
unless he
arrives soon.
In the case
you need me,
I'll be at
Tom's.
Unless
In case
(that), in
the event
(that)
They won't be
able to come
whether or not
they have
enough
money.
Only if you do
well on your
exams will we
give you your
bicycle.
Only if
Even
though,
though,
although
Even though it
was expensive,
he bought the
car.
Whereas you
have lots of time
to do your
homework, I
have very little
time indeed.
Mary is rich,
while I am poor.
Whereas,
while
subordinate clause: A clause that has a subject and predicate but does not express an
independent idea. Also referred to as a dependent clause. There are three kinds of
subordinate clauses: adjective clauses, adverbial clauses, and noun clauses.
Examples of subordinate clauses:
While you were sleeping,
Even though I am hungry,
Language and Sentence Skills Practice
107
10. After 1810, a number of trappers and scouts visited the region, but few people
believed the stories that these explorers brought back.
11. In 1870, an expedition that was headed by Henry D. Washburn and Nathaniel P.
Langford finally discovered the truth behind the stories.
12. The next year, Dr. Ferdinand Hayden, head of the U.S. Geological Survey, led a
scientific
expedition to Yellowstone; he brought with him an artist and a photographer.
13. Their reports captured the interest of the nation, and Congress quickly acted to
preserve the region as a national park.
14. In 1988, much of Yellowstones forest and meadowland was consumed by fire,
which
was allowed to burn unchecked.
15. In the event of fire, park policy is to let nature take its course.
EXERCISE B Identify the underlined clause in each of the following sentences by
writing above it I
for independent clause,ADJ for adjective clause,ADV for adverb clause, or N for
noun clause.
Example 1. Chang never doubts for a moment that he is entitled to go with us on
trips.
11. Aunt Jo has a fox terrier that becomes a nervous wreck on seeing Jo packing for
a vacation.
12. Chang does not quiver a whisker, though, for he believes that cats always go on
vacations.
13. When our car is packed and ready, he hops in cheerfully.
14. He avoids the drivers seat, willingly leaving the driving to whoever wants to
drive.
15. Sleeping is what Chang likes best about a car trip.
16. He slips under the front seat to take the long midday nap that every other
sensible cat takes.
17. He curls up politely and gives whoever is sitting in the front seat plenty of
legroom.
18. That the rest of us remain awake probably baffles him.
19. In his view, the smartest traveler is one who arrives at his or her destination
with the least
worry and trouble.
20. Chang always seems content when we arrive at our destination.
XERCISE A Underline the subordinate clause in each of the following sentences.
Then, identify that
clause by writing above it ADJ for adjective clause,ADV for adverb clause, or N for
noun clause.
Example 1. As soon as we saw the cat, we wanted to adopt him.
1. My family and I adopted a Siamese cat, whom we named Chang.
2. That we have pampered Chang is an understatement.
3. Chang certainly senses that he is an important member of our family.
4. At times, in fact, he treats us as if we were his pets.
5. When we sit down to eat, Chang leaps promptly to the top of a nearby table.
6. Sitting there quietly, he purrs his contentment with the food that we give him.
7. Chang usually will eat what we like to eat.
8. Although he prefers tuna, he also enjoys other kinds of food.
9. Chang does not leave his table until we have cleared away the dishes from our
meal.
10. After eating, Chang lies down in his basket, where he sleeps until snack time.
1. I had an accident and took my car to the garage. My husband asked me where
________.
a. is my car
b. my car was
c. my car is
d. was my car
e. is your car?
2. The old lady next door must have a lot of cats. I don't know how many
_______________.
a. cats does she have
b. does she has cats
c. she has cats
d. cats she has
e. cats has she
4. Your brother is playing his music too loud. I can't hear what ____________ .
a. is saying your brother
b. that your brother is saying
c. is saying your brother
d. your brother is saying
e. your brother says
5. When I left home, my uncle gave me some advice. He said __________ give up.
a. I shouldn't
b. that shouldn't
c. don't
d. that I don't
e. no
6. Jill didn't want to go to the car show. Her husband insisted that ___________ with
him.
a. she come
b. she came
c. she had come
d. she comes
e. she has come
8. Did he tell you where __________ the report when you finish?
a. should you put
b. you to put
c. you put
d. to put
e. will you put
10. My friend saw an accident. He told me ____________ at the scene of the accident.
a. if he'd seen
b. what he saw
c. what he'd seen
d. whether he saw
11. Is it true that all movies will be available online? _______ is unbelievable!
a. That all movies will be available
b. All movies will be available
c. Due to the fact that all movies will be available
d. It is that all movies will be available
e. Being available all movies
12. Can you tell me how to fix my computer? That depends on ____________ an old
computer.
a. have you
b. whether you have
c. that have you
d. if have you
e. about your having
13. Is it true __________ people are saying about the new laptops?
a. that what
b. that
c. if
d. whether or not
e. what
15. What are you going to do with your old computer? Nothing! _________ is too
expensive.
a. That I want to do
b. What I want to do
c. That what I want to do
d. What do I want to do
e. If what I want to do
Quizzes
Links
Introduction
A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a verb. Clauses can
take the place of different parts of speech.
For instance, you are probably familiar with adjective clauses.
The man, who looked sleepy, sat down.
Who looked sleepy is an adjective clause. It is taking the place of an adjective. An adjective is
used to describe nouns and so do adjective clauses.
We could re-write the sentence with an adjective.
The sleepy man sat down.
Similarly, a noun clause can take the place of a noun. This lesson will explain noun clauses, give
examples of noun clauses, and then provide several quizzes to practice forming noun clauses.
OR
OR
simply an adverb clause, since adverb clauses are always dependent clauses). Note how the
clause can replace the adverb "tomorrow" in the following examples:
adverb
The committee will meet tomorrow.
adverb clause
The committee will meet when the Prime Minister is in Ottawa.
Dependent clauses can stand not only for adverbs, but also for nouns and for adjectives.
Noun Clauses
A noun clause is an entire clause which takes the place of a noun in another clause or phrase.
Like a noun, a noun clause acts as the subject or object of a verb or the object of a preposition,
answering the questions "who(m)?" or "what?". Consider the following examples:
noun
I know Latin.
noun clause
I know that Latin is no longer spoken as a native language.
In the first example, the noun "Latin" acts as the direct object of the verb "know." In the second
example, the entire clause "that Latin ..." is the direct object.
In fact, many noun clauses are indirect questions:
noun
Their destination is unknown.
noun clause
Where they are going is unknown.
The question "Where are they going?," with a slight change in word order, becomes a noun
clause when used as part of a larger unit -- like the noun "destination," the clause is the subject of
the verb "is."
Here are some more examples of noun clauses:
about what you bought at the mall
This noun clause is the object of the preposition "about," and answers the question "about
what?"
Whoever broke the vase will have to pay for it.
This noun clause is the subject of the verb "will have to pay," and answers the question "who
will have to pay?"
The Toronto fans hope that the Blue Jays will win again.
This noun clause is the object of the verb "hope," and answers the question "what do the fans
hope?"
Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause is a dependent clause which takes the place of an adjective in another clause
or phrase. Like an adjective, an adjective clause modifies a noun or pronoun, answering
questions like "which?" or "what kind of?" Consider the following examples:
Adjective
the red coat
Adjective clause
the coat which I bought yesterday
Like the word "red" in the first example, the dependent clause "which I bought yesterday" in the
second example modifies the noun "coat." Note that an adjective clause usually comes after
what it modifies, while an adjective usually comes before.
In formal writing, an adjective clause begins with the relative pronouns "who(m)," "that," or
"which." In informal writing or speech, you may leave out the relative pronoun when it is not the
subject of the adjective clause, but you should usually include the relative pronoun in formal,
academic writing:
informal
The books people read were mainly religious.
formal
The books that people read were mainly religious.
informal
Some firefighters never meet the people they save.
formal
Some firefighters never meet the people whom they save.
Here are some more examples of adjective clauses:
the meat which they ate was tainted
This clause modifies the noun "meat" and answers the question "which meat?".
about the movie which made him cry
This clause modifies the noun "movie" and answers the question "which movie?".
they are searching for the one who borrowed the book
The clause modifies the pronoun "one" and answers the question "which one?".
Did I tell you about the author whom I met?
The clause modifies the noun "author" and answers the question "which author?".
Adverb Clauses
An adverb clause is a dependent clause which takes the place of an adverb in another clause or
phrase. An adverb clause answers questions such as "when?", "where?", "why?", "with what
goal/result?", and "under what conditions?".
Note how an adverb clause can replace an adverb in the following example:
adverb
The premier gave a speech here.
adverb clause
The premier gave a speech where the workers were striking.
Usually, a subordinating conjunction like "because," "when(ever)," "where(ever)," "since,"
"after," and "so that," will introduce an adverb clause. Note that a dependent adverb clause can
never stand alone as a complete sentence:
independent clause
they left the locker room
dependent adverb clause
after they left the locker room
The first example can easily stand alone as a sentence, but the second cannot -- the reader will
ask what happened "after they left the locker room". Here are some more examples of adverb
clauses expressing the relationships of cause, effect, space, time, and condition:
cause
Hamlet wanted to kill his uncle because the uncle had murdered
Hamlet's father.
The adverb clause answers the question "why?".
effect
Hamlet wanted to kill his uncle so that his father's murder would
be avenged.
The adverb clause answers the question "with what goal/result?".
time
After Hamlet's uncle Claudius married Hamlet's mother, Hamlet
wanted to kill him.
The adverb clause answers the question "when?". Note the change in word order -- an adverb
clause can often appear either before or after the main part of the sentence.
place
Where the whole Danish court was assembled, Hamlet ordered a
play in an attempt to prove his uncle's guilt.
The adverb clause answers the question "where?".
condition
If the British co-operate, the Europeans may achieve monetary
union.
The adverb clause answers the question "under what conditions?"