Lesson 279 - Parts of the Sentence - Adjective, Adverb, & Noun Clauses

View lesson on Daily Grammar

The adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun. It will begin with a relative pronoun (who, whose, whom, which, and that) or a subordinate conjunction (when and where). Those are the only words that can be used to introduce an adjective clause. The introductory word will always rename the word that it follows and modifies except when used with a preposition which will come between the introductory word and the word it renames. 

 

Examples: 

The student whose hand was up gave the wrong answer.

Jane is a person in whom I can place my confidence.

An adverb clause is a dependent clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It usually modifies the verb. Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinate conjunctions including after, although, as, as if, before, because, if, since, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, where, and while. These are just some of the more common ones.

Example: 

They arrived before the game had ended. 

- before the game had ended modifying arrived (telling when)

A noun clause is a dependent clause that can be used in the same way as a noun or pronoun. It can be a subject, predicate nominative, direct object, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition. Some of the words that introduce noun clauses are that, whether, who, why, whom, what, how, when, whoever, where, and whomever. To check if the dependent clause is a noun clause, substitute the clause with the pronoun it or the proper form of the pronouns he or she.

 

Examples: 

I know who said that. = I know it.

Whoever said it is wrong. = He is wrong.

Instructions: Find the adjective, adverb, or noun clauses in these sentences.  If it is an adjective or adverb clause, tell which word it modifies, and if it is a noun clause tell how they are used (subject, predicate nominative, direct object, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition).

 

1. That the tiger was gentle and tame was not certain.

2. Do not use that comb which has no teeth.

3. If the treaty is signed, the President will leave at once.

4. Patty explained how embalming is done.

5. Jack asked why the game had been canceled.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. That the tiger was gentle and tame was not certain.

- noun clause used as the subject

2. Do not use that comb which has no teeth.

- adjective clause modifying comb

3. If the treaty is signed, the President will leave at once.

- adverb clause modifying will leave

4. Patty explained how embalming is done.

- noun clause used as the direct object

5. Jack asked why the game had been canceled.

- noun clause used as the direct object

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.