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Grade 9 English Language Arts — 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) I know that you tried.
    • b) She sings whenever she is happy.
    • c) This is the book I wanted.
    • d) The man who called was polite.

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

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

  3. 3.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
    • whose bag was missing
    • as soon as the gate opened
    • that we saw last week
    • who teaches us science
    • although he was tired

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

    • 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.
    • Then ask what job that clause does in the sentence.
    • First, find the main clause — the part that could stand alone.

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

  6. 6.In "The house that stands on the hill is empty", the clause "that stands on the hill" is a ____.

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

  7. 7.In each sentence the subordinate clause is in capitals. Sort by the job that clause does.

    Groups: Noun clause · Adjective clause · Adverb clause

    • We left BEFORE THE RAIN STARTED.
    • She told me WHAT SHE HAD SEEN.
    • The book WHICH YOU LENT ME is excellent.
    • He smiled BECAUSE HE WAS PLEASED.
    • I know THAT HE IS HONEST.
    • The boy WHO WON THE RACE is my cousin.

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

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

Answer key — Grade 9 English Language Arts — Noun, adjective and adverb clauses

  1. 1. b) She sings whenever she is happy.
  2. 2. a) noun clause
  3. 3. 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
  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. because he was unwell
  6. 6. c) adjective clause
  7. 7. I know THAT HE IS HONEST. → Noun clause; The boy WHO WON THE RACE is my cousin. → Adjective clause; We left BEFORE THE RAIN STARTED. → Adverb clause; She told me WHAT SHE HAD SEEN. → Noun clause; The book WHICH YOU LENT ME is excellent. → Adjective clause; He smiled BECAUSE HE WAS PLEASED. → Adverb clause
  8. 8. a) adverb clause