Subordinate Clauses Worksheet for Class 8

Subordinate clauses are of three types – adjective clause, adverb clause and noun clause.

An adjective clause serves the same purpose as an adjective. It goes immediately after a noun and gives additional information about that noun. Adjective clauses are introduced by the relative pronouns who, whom, that, which, whose, what and where.

An adverb clause serves the same purpose as an adverb. It tells us about the time, manner, place, cause, effect or frequency of the action mentioned in the main clause. Sometimes an adverb clause may express a condition or a concession. Adverb clauses are introduced by the subordinating conjunctions because, as, since, when, while, whereas, though, although, even though, even if, if, whether, unless, as soon as, as long as, so…that, such…that, until, provided that etc.

A noun clause serves the same purpose as a noun. It acts as the subject or object of the verb in the main clause. Noun clauses are usually introduced by the subordinating conjunctions that, when, what, if or whether.

Note that the same conjunction can be used to introduce different kinds of subordinate clauses.

Subordinate clauses worksheet for class 8

Read the following sentences and underline the subordinate clause in them. Say whether it is an adjective clause, adverb clause or noun clause.

1. As I was in a hurry to leave, I forgot to take my wallet.

2. If I knew about your plans, I would not support you.

3. Because he is short-tempered, he doesn’t have many friends.

4. Make hay while the sun shines.

5. I don’t know what I am supposed to do.

6. He who laughs last laughs best.

7. The man who had complained of chest pain was sent to emergency room.

8. My sister, who is a trained classical dancer, is performing in the town hall tomorrow.

9. The woman whose affairs were once the talk of the town now leads a solitary life.  

10. He told me that he loved me.

11. I felt that he was lying to me.

12. How you solve this problem is your headache.

13. I don’t know whether I will have time.

14. They will not take him back unless he apologizes.

15. She let out a scream when she saw a dark figure in the hallway.

16. As soon as she finishes one project she starts working on the next.

17. You cannot leave until you have finished the job.

18. Although he is educated, he lacks ambition.

Answers

1. As I was in a hurry to leave, (Adverb clause of reason)

2. If I knew about your plans, (Adverb clause of condition)

3. Because he is short-tempered, (Adverb clause of reason)

4. while the sun shines. (Adverb clause of time)

5. what I am supposed to do. (Noun clause – it is the object of the verb know)

6. who laughs last (Adjective clause – it gives additional information about the pronoun he)

7. who had complained of chest pain (Adjective clause – it modifies the noun man)

8. who is a trained classical dancer (Adjective clause – it gives additional information about the noun sister)

9. whose affairs were once the talk of the town (Adjective clause – it modifies the noun woman and gives additional information about it)

10. that he loved me. (Noun clause – it acts as the object of the verb told)

11. that he was lying to me. (Noun clause – it acts as the object of the verb felt)

12. How you solve this problem (Noun clause – it acts as the subject of the verb is)

13. whether I will have time. (Noun clause – it acts as the object of the verb know)

14. unless he apologizes. (Adverb clause of condition)

15. when she saw a dark figure in the hallway. (Adverb clause of time; clauses beginning with when are usually adverb clauses of time)

16. As soon as she finishes one project (Adverb clause of time)

17. until you have finished the job. (Adverb clause of time; clauses beginning with until are adverb clauses.)

18. Although he is educated (Adverb clause of concession; although is a subordinating conjunction; clauses beginning with although are adverb clauses.)