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Class 8 English — Phrases and clauses

Tell a phrase from a clause, and a main clause from a subordinate one.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Put the parts in order to make one correct sentence. More than one order works here.

    • because the road was closed
    • the bus took
    • to the town
    • a longer route

  2. 2.Sort each clause by whether it could stand alone as a sentence.

    Groups: Main clause · Subordinate clause

    • although the door creaked
    • because it was locked
    • birds were singing
    • the shop was closed
    • she opened the box
    • when we arrived

  3. 3.Write the one word that begins the subordinate clause in "She smiled because she had won."

  4. 4.In "We stayed indoors because it was raining", which part is the main clause?

    • a) We stayed indoors
    • b) it was raining
    • c) stayed indoors because
    • d) because it was raining

  5. 5.How many clauses are there in "He ran fast, but he missed the bus"?

  6. 6.Match each term to its meaning.

    • a phrase
    • a main clause
    • a subordinate clause
    • a subject
    • a predicate
    • the person or thing the clause is about
    • what the clause says about its subject
    • a group of words with no subject and verb of its own
    • a clause that makes complete sense on its own
    • a clause that depends on another clause

  7. 7.Which sentence contains two clauses?

    • a) A basket of fresh fruit on the step.
    • b) The boy won because he trained hard.
    • c) Running quickly down the hill.
    • d) The tall boy in the blue shirt won.

  8. 8.In "When the lights went out, we lit a candle", which part is the subordinate clause?

    • a) the lights
    • b) we lit a candle
    • c) When the lights went out
    • d) lit a candle

Answer key — Class 8 English — Phrases and clauses

  1. 1. 1. because the road was closed 2. the bus took 3. a longer route 4. to the town
    Also accepted, in full:
    • 1. the bus took 2. a longer route 3. to the town 4. because the road was closed
  2. 2. the shop was closed → Main clause; when we arrived → Subordinate clause; she opened the box → Main clause; because it was locked → Subordinate clause; birds were singing → Main clause; although the door creaked → Subordinate clause
  3. 3. because
  4. 4. a) We stayed indoors
  5. 5. 2
  6. 6. a phrase → a group of words with no subject and verb of its own; a main clause → a clause that makes complete sense on its own; a subordinate clause → a clause that depends on another clause; a subject → the person or thing the clause is about; a predicate → what the clause says about its subject
  7. 7. b) The boy won because he trained hard.
  8. 8. c) When the lights went out