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

Tips

Adjective clauses are usually introduced by the relative pronouns who, which, whom, that, whose, where and what. Note that adjective clauses are also called relative clauses.

Adverb clauses are usually introduced by the subordinating conjunctions as, since, because, when, while, whereas, before, after, if, whether, as if, as though, although, though, even though, even if, as soon as, so that, so..that…, in order that, until, unless etc.

Noun clauses are usually introduced by the conjunctions if, whether and that.

Note that if and whether can also be used to introduce an adverb clause. Likewise, the connector ‘that’ can be used to introduce an adjective clause.

Identify the type of the subordinate clause

1. She said that she would be working late.

2. I don’t know what happened to her.

3. This is the book that I was looking for.

4. She has been jobless since she left college.

5. Because he was angry, I left him alone.

6. I want to know what you did with my money.

7. How they escaped from the prison is still a mystery.

8. I left for home as soon as I received the message.

9. Though she was the most deserving applicant, she didn’t get the job.

10. I don’t know whether I will be able to come.

11. If you are feeling cold, I will put the heating on.

12. The train had departed before I reached the station.

Answers

1. that she would be working late (Noun clause – it is the object of the verb said)

2. what happened to her (Noun clause – it is the object of the verb know)

3. that I was looking for (Adjective clause – it gives additional information about the noun book)

4. since she left college (Adverb clause of time)

5. Because he was angry (Adverb clause of reason)

6. what you did with my money (Noun clause – it is the object of the verb know)

7. How they escaped from the prison (Noun clause – it serves as the subject of the verb is)

8. as soon as I received the message (Adverb clause of time)

9. Though she was the most deserving applicant (Adverb clause of contrast/concession)

10. whether I will be able to come (Noun clause – it serves as the object of the verb know)

11. If you are feeling cold (Adverb clause of condition)

12. before I reached the station (Adverb clause of time)

Worksheet 2

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

Identify the subordinate clause and state its kind.

1. It has been a long time since I last met him.

2. She has been unemployed ever since she finished her studies.

3. Do you really believe that they are in love?

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

5. It is high time she found a good job.

6. What you do with your time or money is your business.

7. Nobody knows how big the universe is.

8. I am worried about how we are going to pay the rent.

9. It would be great if animals could talk like humans.

10. We went out although it was raining.

11. You should have told me that you were not coming.

12. If it does not rain, the crops will fail.

13. You should keep trying until you succeed.

14. Don’t call me unless it is an emergency.

15. The man who won the lottery is a carpenter from Karnataka.

16. The girl whose story moved millions of people has been getting support from all over the world.

17. Does she know what she is doing?

18. I don’t want to wait for people who are always late.

Answers

1. since I last met him. (Adverb clause)

2. ever since she finished her studies. (Adverb clause)

3. that they are in love? (Noun clause – object of the verb believe)

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

5. she found a good job. (Adverb clause)

6. What you do with your time or money (Noun clause – subject of the verb is)

7. how big the universe is. (Noun clause – object of the verb knows)

8. how we are going to pay the rent. (Noun clause – object of the preposition about)

9. if animals could talk like humans. (Adverb clause)

10. although it was raining. (Adverb clause)

11. that you were not coming. (Noun clause – object of the verb told)

12. If it does not rain, (Adverb clause)

13. until you succeed. (Adverb clause of time)

14. unless it is an emergency. (Adverb clause – it states a condition)

15. who won the lottery (Adjective clause – it says something about the noun man.)

16. whose story moved millions of people (Adjective clause – it says something about the noun girl.)

17. what she is doing? (Noun clause – it is the object of the verb know)

18. who are always late. (Adjective clause – it modifies the noun people)

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