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CLAUSES - Questions & Answers

A Identify the main clause and subordinate clause in each of these sentences.

1. The man sat alone on one of the benches that lined the pavement.
Main Clause: The man sat alone on one of the benches
Subordinate Clause: that lined the pavement

2. Although the phone has some really good features, I am not buying it.
Main Clause: I am not buying it
Subordinate Clause: Although the phone has some really good features

3. This is one of the few places in the city where you can be at one with nature.
Main Clause: This is one of the few places in the city
Subordinate Clause: where you can be at one with nature

4. Since she did not have enough money to buy a car, she applied for a loan.
Main Clause: she applied for a loan
Subordinate Clause: Since she did not have enough money to buy a car

5. Don't quit until you have given it your best.
Main Clause: Don't quit
Subordinate Clause: until you have given it your best

6. He switched on the television as soon as he entered his home.
Main Clause: He switched on the television
Subordinate Clause: as soon as he entered his home

7. Saki, whose real name was H.H. Munro, was a famous English writer.
Main Clause: Saki was a famous English writer
Subordinate Clause: whose real name was H.H. Munro

8. After I had finished the work, I treated myself to a coffee.
Main Clause: I treated myself to a coffee
Subordinate Clause: After I had finished the work

B Underline the noun clause in each of these sentences and write its grammatical function.

1. That she will win the race is almost certain.
Noun Clause: That she will win the race
Function: Subject of a sentence

2. Do you know why Shan looked so sullen in the party?
Noun Clause: why Shan looked so sullen in the party
Function: Object of the verb 'know'

3. Mahatma Gandhi showed that non-violence is not a sign of weakness.
Noun Clause: that non-violence is not a sign of weakness
Function: Object of the verb 'showed'

4. What you have just told me was something I always knew.
Noun Clause: What you have just told me
Function: Subject of a sentence

5. I've always held the view that one must be true to one's inner self.
Noun Clause: that one must be true to one's inner self
Function: Element in apposition to the noun phrase 'the view'

6. She is writing a book on how she dealt with her son's autism.
Noun Clause: how she dealt with her son's autism
Function: Object of the preposition 'on'

7. My worry is that we might miss the flight.
Noun Clause: that we might miss the flight
Function: Subject complement

8. Be careful about what you say in the meeting.
Noun Clause: what you say in the meeting
Function: Object of the preposition 'about'

9. Her apprehension was that he was not being truthful.
Noun Clause: that he was not being truthful
Function: Subject complement

10. She believes in what she does.
Noun Clause: what she does
Function: Object of the preposition 'in'

C Underline the relative clause and circle its antecedent in each of these sentences.

(Note: In this HTML format, the antecedent is indicated in bold and brackets to represent circling.)

1. Sahil, who is my close friend, is an architect.
Antecedent: [Sahil] | Relative Clause: who is my close friend

2. England is one country that I have always wanted to visit.
Antecedent: [country] | Relative Clause: that I have always wanted to visit

3. I don't know anyone who is as honest as Mr Bheem.
Antecedent: [anyone] | Relative Clause: who is as honest as Mr Bheem

4. The reason why Helen left town overnight is a mystery.
Antecedent: [reason] | Relative Clause: why Helen left town overnight

5. Please let me know the time when we can discuss that matter.
Antecedent: [time] | Relative Clause: when we can discuss that matter

6. Do you know someone who is an expert on ancient Greek history?
Antecedent: [someone] | Relative Clause: who is an expert on ancient Greek history

7. Fahrenheit 451, which is one of my favourite novels, was written by Ray Bradbury.
Antecedent: [Fahrenheit 451] | Relative Clause: which is one of my favourite novels

8. Agatha Christie, who has been called the 'Queen of Crime', was a famous writer of detective fiction.
Antecedent: [Agatha Christie] | Relative Clause: who has been called the 'Queen of Crime'

D Underline the adjective clause in each of these sentences and circle the word that introduces it. Write whether the word is a relative pronoun or a relative adverb.

1. That was the town where my sister and I grew up.
Relative Clause: where my sister and I grew up
Introductory word: [where] - Relative Adverb

2. Can you identify the man whom you saw in the subway that night?
Relative Clause: whom you saw in the subway that night
Introductory word: [whom] - Relative Pronoun

3. This is not a time when we should be discussing our personal affairs.
Relative Clause: when we should be discussing our personal affairs
Introductory word: [when] - Relative Adverb

4. Do you know the reason why we have gathered here?
Relative Clause: why we have gathered here
Introductory word: [why] - Relative Adverb

5. John Steinbeck, who was a famous American writer, wrote the novel The Grapes of Wrath.
Relative Clause: who was a famous American writer
Introductory word: [who] - Relative Pronoun

6. Abhijnanashakuntalam is a Sanskrit play which was composed by the ancient Indian poet Kalidasa.
Relative Clause: which was composed by the ancient Indian poet Kalidasa
Introductory word: [which] - Relative Pronoun

7. Charlie Chaplin was an American actor and filmmaker whose films highlighted the problems faced by the poor and the oppressed.
Relative Clause: whose films highlighted the problems faced by the poor and the oppressed
Introductory word: [whose] - Relative Pronoun

8. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s.
Relative Clause: that existed in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s
Introductory word: [that] - Relative Pronoun

E Underline the relative clause in each sentence and say whether it is a defining or non-defining relative clause.

1. I have a friend who works at the US Embassy in New Delhi.
Relative Clause: who works at the US Embassy in New Delhi
Type: Defining relative clause

2. This car, which runs on solar power, can move extremely fast.
Relative Clause: which runs on solar power
Type: Non-defining relative clause

3. I lost the phone that I had bought yesterday.
Relative Clause: that I had bought yesterday
Type: Defining relative clause

4. Shakespeare is a writer whom everyone likes to quote.
Relative Clause: whom everyone likes to quote
Type: Defining relative clause

5. Ms Rekha, who is an acclaimed writer, is giving a speech in the afternoon.
Relative Clause: who is an acclaimed writer
Type: Non-defining relative clause

6. My brother, who lives in Los Angeles, is a software engineer.
Relative Clause: who lives in Los Angeles
Type: Non-defining relative clause

F Add commas where needed in these sentences.

1. Look at these coins which I found in Ali's house.
Look at these coins, which I found in Ali's house.

2. Mr Abhishek whom I had told you about is coming here for lunch today.
Mr Abhishek, whom I had told you about, is coming here for lunch today.

3. This is the school where my daughter studies.
This is the school where my daughter studies. (No commas needed - defining)

4. He is someone whose words you can trust.
He is someone whose words you can trust. (No commas needed - defining)

5. My father who is a writer is working on a new novel.
My father, who is a writer, is working on a new novel.

6. She is a person who inspires respect in everyone she meets.
She is a person who inspires respect in everyone she meets. (No commas needed - defining)

7. The film Pather Panchali which was directed by Satyajit Ray is based on a novel of the same name.
The film Pather Panchali, which was directed by Satyajit Ray, is based on a novel of the same name.

8. I grow wary of anyone who tries very hard to be friendly.
I grow wary of anyone who tries very hard to be friendly. (No commas needed - defining)

G Complete each of these sentences using a suitable relative clause of your own. Then write whether it is a defining or non-defining relative clause. Make sure the punctuation is correct.

1. Amitav Ghosh , who wrote 'The Shadow Lines', is an acclaimed Indian writer. (Non-defining)

2. The film that we watched last night was very boring. (Defining)

3. The oranges which I bought from the market are very fresh. (Defining)

4. My parents , who love me dearly, come to see me at the hostel every Sunday. (Non-defining)

5. Har Gobind Khorana , who was a renowned scientist, won the Nobel prize in 1968. (Non-defining)

6. The students who want to participate in the play must submit their names by tomorrow. (Defining)

H Underline the adjective clauses in these sentences and identify the relative pronouns or adverbs which introduce them.

1. Which is the place that we are visiting next week?
Relative Clause: that we are visiting next week
Introductory word: that (Relative Pronoun)

2. Kolkata is the city where I spent my childhood.
Relative Clause: where I spent my childhood
Introductory word: where (Relative Adverb)

3. I am lucky to have a friend who cares so much for me.
Relative Clause: who cares so much for me
Introductory word: who (Relative Pronoun)

4. Do you know that man who is talking to Amar?
Relative Clause: who is talking to Amar
Introductory word: who (Relative Pronoun)

5. This is the time when most people visit Goa.
Relative Clause: when most people visit Goa
Introductory word: when (Relative Adverb)

6. Is this the book which your uncle has authored?
Relative Clause: which your uncle has authored
Introductory word: which (Relative Pronoun)

7. I live in Nalanda, which is a place with a rich cultural history.
Relative Clause: which is a place with a rich cultural history
Introductory word: which (Relative Pronoun)

8. I have no clue why he severed all ties with us.
Relative Clause: why he severed all ties with us
Introductory word: why (Relative Adverb)

I Underline the subordinate clause in each sentence and write whether it is a noun clause or an adjective clause.

1. Football is a game that I've never much enjoyed.
Subordinate Clause: that I've never much enjoyed
Type: Adjective Clause

2. Please tell me what you think about this idea.
Subordinate Clause: what you think about this idea
Type: Noun Clause

3. That she was the culprit was never in doubt.
Subordinate Clause: That she was the culprit
Type: Noun Clause

4. The laptop which I bought last month is giving me trouble.
Subordinate Clause: which I bought last month
Type: Adjective Clause

5. The old man who lives in that old house is a magician.
Subordinate Clause: who lives in that old house
Type: Adjective Clause

6. Did you decide where we are going for Mother's birthday?
Subordinate Clause: where we are going for Mother's birthday
Type: Noun Clause

7. Have you seen the film that won this year's Oscars for the best movie?
Subordinate Clause: that won this year's Oscars for the best movie
Type: Adjective Clause

8. Do you know why Vani came here yesterday?
Subordinate Clause: why Vani came here yesterday
Type: Noun Clause</

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Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!

Question

What two essential components must a group of words contain to be classified as a clause?

Answer

A subject and a predicate.

Question

True or False: A clause must always be part of a larger sentence.

Answer

False; a clause can be a part of a sentence or a sentence by itself.

Question

What is the grammatical term for a clause that makes complete sense on its own?

Answer

Main clause (or independent sentence).

Question

What is the grammatical term for a clause that requires the support of a main clause to be complete?

Answer

Subordinate clause (or dependent clause).

Question

How can a reader recognize a subordinate clause in a sentence?

Answer

By looking for subordinating signals like subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns.

Question

Identify the two subjects in the sentence: "I liked the film because I found the protagonist familiar."

Answer

"I" and "I".

Question

In the sentence "She is working on a novel, which will soon be published," what is the subject of the subordinate clause?

Answer

which

Question

List the three functional types of subordinate clauses mentioned in the text.

Answer

Noun clauses, adjective (relative) clauses, and adverb clauses.

Question

What is the specific function of a noun clause?

Answer

It does the work of a noun.

Question

What specific question does a noun clause answer to help in its identification?

Answer

"What?"

Question

Identify the noun clause in the sentence: "Meera said that she would talk about it later."

Answer

that she would talk about it later

Question

In the sentence "What she said turned out to be true," what is the grammatical role of the noun clause?

Answer

The subject of a sentence.

Question

In the sentence "I always knew that he would go into modelling," what is the grammatical role of the noun clause?

Answer

The object of a verb.

Question

In the sentence "We are recognized by what we do," what is the grammatical role of the noun clause?

Answer

The object of a preposition.

Question

In the sentence "The fact is that you have no answers," what is the grammatical role of the noun clause?

Answer

A subject complement.

Question

In the sentence "I never believed the rumour, that it was the miller who had started the fire," what is the grammatical role of the noun clause?

Answer

An element in apposition to a noun phrase.

Question

What does it mean for a noun clause to be in 'apposition'?

Answer

It follows another noun or pronoun to describe it.

Question

Define 'adjective clause'.

Answer

A subordinate clause that does the work of an adjective by describing a noun or noun phrase.

Question

What is the term for the noun or noun phrase that is modified by a relative clause?

Answer

Antecedent.

Question

Where is an adjective clause usually placed in a sentence?

Answer

Immediately after the noun or noun phrase it modifies.

Question

Which relative pronouns are used specifically for persons?

Answer

Who, whom, and whose.

Question

Which relative pronoun is used specifically for animals and things?

Answer

Which.

Question

Which relative pronoun can be used for persons, animals, and things?

Answer

That.

Question

List three relative adverbs used to introduce adjective clauses.

Answer

Where, when, and why.

Question

What specific details do the relative adverbs 'where, when, and why' specify in an adjective clause?

Answer

Place, time, and reason.

Question

What are the two kinds of relative clauses?

Answer

Defining (restrictive) and non-defining (non-restrictive) relative clauses.

Question

How is a 'defining relative clause' defined?

Answer

A clause that gives essential information about a noun to make the sentence's meaning clear.

Question

How is a 'non-defining relative clause' defined?

Answer

A clause that is non-essential and only gives additional information about a well-defined antecedent.

Question

What happens to the meaning of a sentence if a defining relative clause is removed?

Answer

The sentence appears incomplete or it is not clear who/what is being talked about.

Question

What happens to the meaning of a sentence if a non-defining relative clause is removed?

Answer

The sentence still makes complete sense.

Question

What is the punctuation rule for non-defining relative clauses?

Answer

They are separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.

Question

What is the punctuation rule for defining relative clauses?

Answer

They are not separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.

Question

Which relative pronoun cannot be used to introduce a non-defining relative clause?

Answer

That.

Question

When can relative pronouns 'which' or 'that' be omitted from a defining relative clause?

Answer

When the pronoun is not the subject of the relative clause.

Question

True or False: Relative pronouns can be omitted from non-defining relative clauses.

Answer

False; the relative pronoun or relative adverb cannot be omitted.

Question

Identify the relative pronoun in the sentence: "He is the man whom she is marrying."

Answer

whom

Question

Identify the antecedent in the sentence: "Did you read the story that I had emailed you?"

Answer

the story

Question

In the sentence "Tanuja, who is a talented classical dancer, has won several awards," what type of relative clause is used?

Answer

Non-defining relative clause.

Question

In the sentence "The man who just left the hall is a famous writer," what type of relative clause is used?

Answer

Defining relative clause.

Question

Define 'adverb clause'.

Answer

A group of words with its own subject and predicate that functions as an adverb by modifying a verb.

Question

In the sentence "The police responded as soon as we reported the matter," identify the adverb clause.

Answer

as soon as we reported the matter

Question

What does the adverb clause modify in the sentence "The police responded as soon as we reported the matter"?

Answer

The verb "responded".

Question

What is the 'bracketing commas' function in a sentence?

Answer

To separate non-defining relative clauses from the rest of the sentence.

Question

The phrase "reason for Sukumar's resignation" is a noun phrase; what is its equivalent noun clause in the text?

Answer

why Sukumar resigned

Question

Relative adverbs: _____ is used for place, _____ is used for time, and _____ is used for reason.

Answer

where; when; why

Question

In the sentence "She believes in what she does," identify the noun clause.

Answer

what she does

Question

Identify the antecedent in: "Sahil, who is my close friend, is an architect."

Answer

Sahil

Question

What is the function of the noun clause in "Can you rely on what she says?"

Answer

The object of the preposition "on".

Question

Why is the relative clause defining in "The man she saw near the lift was Amar"?

Answer

Because it specifies which man is being discussed; without it, the sentence is incomplete.

Question

True or False: In a defining relative clause, if the relative pronoun 'who' is the subject, it can be omitted.

Answer

False; it cannot be omitted if it is the subject.

Question

What is the grammatical term for the clause "when we arrived in Srinagar"?

Answer

Subordinate clause.

Question

In "I know that it hasn't been easy for you," what word introduces the noun clause?

Answer

that

Question

Which type of clause modifies the noun 'city' in "Rome is a city that has a long history"?

Answer

Adjective clause (or relative clause).

Question

Identify the relative pronoun in: "The contemporary Indian composer whose work I most appreciate is A.R. Rahman."

Answer

whose