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Year 9 English — Noun, adjective and adverb clauses

Name a subordinate clause by the job it does in its sentence.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.In "We waited until the rain stopped", the clause "until the rain stopped" is a ____.

    • a) noun clause
    • b) adjective clause
    • c) adverb clause
    • d) main clause

  2. 2.Write the subordinate clause in "He stayed at home because he was unwell."

  3. 3.In "Although the sum was hard, she solved it", which part is the main clause?

    • a) Although the sum was hard
    • b) Although
    • c) the sum was hard
    • d) she solved it

  4. 4.Put the steps of naming a subordinate clause in the right order.

    • Then ask what job that clause does in the sentence.
    • First, find the main clause — the part that could stand alone.
    • Next, find the word that begins the other clause, such as who, when or that.
    • Finally, name it a noun, adjective or adverb clause from the job it does.

  5. 5.In "Nobody knows where he went", the clause "where he went" is a ____.

    • a) main clause
    • b) noun clause
    • c) adverb clause
    • d) adjective clause

  6. 6.Which sentence contains an adverb clause?

    • a) This is the book I wanted.
    • b) I know that you tried.
    • c) The man who called was polite.
    • d) She sings whenever she is happy.

  7. 7.Sort each clause by what it tells you.

    Groups: Tells you when or why — adverb clause · Tells you which one — adjective clause

    • as soon as the gate opened
    • although he was tired
    • who teaches us science
    • whose bag was missing
    • that we saw last week
    • since it was getting dark

  8. 8.Write the one word that begins the adjective clause in "The girl who sang first won the prize."

Answer key — Year 9 English — Noun, adjective and adverb clauses

  1. 1. c) adverb clause
  2. 2. because he was unwell
  3. 3. d) she solved it
  4. 4. 1. First, find the main clause — the part that could stand alone. 2. Next, find the word that begins the other clause, such as who, when or that. 3. Then ask what job that clause does in the sentence. 4. Finally, name it a noun, adjective or adverb clause from the job it does.
  5. 5. b) noun clause
  6. 6. d) She sings whenever she is happy.
  7. 7. as soon as the gate opened → Tells you when or why — adverb clause; that we saw last week → Tells you which one — adjective clause; since it was getting dark → Tells you when or why — adverb clause; whose bag was missing → Tells you which one — adjective clause; although he was tired → Tells you when or why — adverb clause; who teaches us science → Tells you which one — adjective clause
  8. 8. who