Underline the clauses in the following sentences and say whether they are adjective clauses, adverb clauses or noun clauses.
Notes
Adverb clauses are usually introduced by the subordinating conjunctions because, as, though, since, till, when, while, until, unless, if, whether, although, even though, even if, so that and in order that.
Adjective clauses are usually introduced by the relative pronouns who, whom, which, that and whose and the relative adverbs what and where.
Noun clauses are usually introduced by that, why, how, if and whether.
Clauses Exercise
1. I wish I was paid at the beginning of the week.
2. We are hoping that Shyam will come up with some interesting ideas.
3. He always felt inferior when he was with her.
4. The baby will certainly have green eyes, because both parents have.
5. I went to have a look at the room where I was to talk that afternoon.
6. If a student is ill, they must submit a medical certificate.
7. A spokesperson said that the minister does not intend to resign.
8. When a person gets married they have to start thinking about their responsibilities.
9. I had hardly closed my eyes when I began to imagine the most fantastic shapes.
10. Although my grandmother didn’t have a nice personality, I loved her.
Answers
1. I wish I was paid at the beginning of the week. (Noun clause)
2. We are hoping that Shyam will come up with some interesting ideas. (Noun clause; here the subordinate clause acts as the object of the verb hoping)
3. He always felt inferior when he was with her. (Adverb clause of time)
4. The baby will certainly have green eyes, because both parents have. (Adverb clause of reason)
5. I went to have a look at the room where I was to talk that afternoon. (Adjective clause; here the adjective clause describes the noun room.)
6. If a student is ill, they must submit a medical certificate. (Adverb clause of condition)
7. A spokesperson said that the minister does not intend to resign. (Noun clause – it acts as the object of the verb said)
8. When a person gets married they have to start thinking about their responsibilities. (Adverb clause of time)
9. I had hardly closed my eyes when I began to imagine the most fantastic shapes. (Adverb clause of time)
10. Although my grandmother didn’t have a nice personality, I loved her. (Adverb clause of concession/contrast)
