Identify the type of subordinate clause.

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

1. I will never forget the day when my baby was born.

2. Though she is intelligent, she lacks ambition.

3. We have to spend less because payday is still two weeks away.

4. As it was his birthday I bought him a nice gift.

5. She sat there as if she was the boss.

6. Krishna, who is my nephew, is an aspiring singer.

7. I asked where they had gone.

8. She replied that she was busy.

9. How they escaped is a mystery.

10. She insisted that I should go with her.

11. I haven’t decided the question of whether I should buy a new car.

12. He asked if I had seen his cat.

13. I went to a store where they sell frozen food.

14. He who laughs last laughs best.

Answers

1. I will never forget the day when my baby was born. (Adverb clause)

2. Though she is intelligent, she lacks ambition. (Adverb clause)

3. We have to spend less because payday is still two weeks away. (Adverb clause)

4. As it was his birthday I bought him a nice gift. (Adverb clause)

5. She sat there as if she was the boss. (Adverb clause)

6. Krishna, who is my nephew, is an aspiring singer. (Adjective clause)

7. I asked where they had gone. (Noun clause)

8. She replied that she was busy. (Noun clause)

9. How they escaped is a mystery. (Noun clause)

10. She insisted that I should go with her. (Noun clause)

11. I haven’t decided the question of whether I should buy a new car. (Noun clause)

12. He asked if I had seen his cat.   (Noun clause)

13. I went to a store where they sell frozen food. (Adjective clause)

14. He who laughs last laughs best. (Adjective clause)

Worksheet 2

Underline the subordinate clause in the following sentences and state whether they are adjective clauses, adverb clauses or noun clauses.

1. I wonder what you see in him.

2. He says that he didn’t do it.

3. You can succeed if your will is strong enough.

4. Unless the defenders are reinforced, the invading troops will win.

5. The boy winced when his father raised his hand to spank him.

6. The scandal which brought an end to his political career actually meant nothing.

7. He insisted that I should go with him.

8. She remarked that my hairstyle wasn’t very trendy.

9. The boy who misbehaved was sent to his room.

10. I don’t believe what you say.

11. The man whose leg has been amputated urgently requires an artificial leg.

12. We cannot approve what you have done.

Answers

1. what you see in him. (Noun clause)

2. He says that he didn’t do it. (Noun clause)

3.  if your will is strong enough. (Adverb clause)

4. Unless the defenders are reinforced (Adverb clause)

5. when his father raised his hand to spank him. (Adverb clause)

6. which brought an end to his political career (Adjective clause)

7. that I should go with him. (Noun clause)

8. that my hairstyle wasn’t very trendy. (Noun clause)

9. who misbehaved (Adjective clause)

10.  what you say. (Noun clause)

11. whose leg has been amputated  (Adjective clause)

12.  what you have done. (Noun clause)