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Year 11 English — Noun, adjective and adverb clauses

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

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.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.

  2. 2.Which group of words is a noun clause?

    • a) before the film began
    • b) the tall boy in blue
    • c) in the tall grass
    • d) what the letter said

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

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

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

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

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

  6. 6.In "We cheered when the train arrived", is "when the train arrived" a noun, adjective or adverb clause? Write one word.

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

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

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

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

Answer key — Year 11 English — Noun, adjective and adverb clauses

  1. 1. d) She sings whenever she is happy.
  2. 2. d) what the letter said
  3. 3. who
  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. a) she solved it
  6. 6. adverb
  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. because he was unwell