State whether the subordinate clause used in the following sentences are adjective clause, noun clause or adverb clause.
1. Here is the money that you lent me.
Here the subordinate clause ‘that you lent me’ modifies the noun money. Hence it is an adjective clause.
2. The person who leaves last should put the lights out.
Here the subordinate clause ‘who leaves last’ modifies the noun person.
3. This is the house that I told you about.
Here the subordinate clause ‘that I told you about’ modifies the noun house.
4. People are sleeping out on the streets because there are not enough houses.
Here the subordinate clause ‘because there are no enough houses’ gives the reason for the action mentioned in the main clause. Hence it is an adverb.
5. I knew that I should write to her, but I forgot.
Here the subordinate clause ‘that I should write to her’ is the object of the verb knew. Hence it is a noun clause.
6. Does anyone know where Janet lives?
Here the subordinate clause ‘where Janet lives’ acts as the object of the verb know. Hence it is a noun clause.
7. James replied that he was feeling better.
Here the subordinate clause ‘that he was feeling better’ acts as the object of the verb replied. Hence it is a noun clause.
8. Come in quietly so that she does not hear you.
Here the subordinate clause ‘so that she does not hear you’ gives the purpose of the action mentioned in the main clause. Hence it is a subordinate adverb clause.
9. I always knew that I could trust you.
Here the subordinate clause ‘that I could trust you’ acts as the object of the verb knew. Hence it is a noun clause.
10. The scales broke when I was weighing myself this morning.
Here the subordinate clause ‘when I was weighing myself this morning’ gives the time of the action mentioned in the main clause. Hence it is an adverb clause of time.
11. If you are ever in London, come and see me.
This is an adverb clause of condition because it expresses a condition.
12. The woman who was sitting behind the reception desk gave me a big smile.
Here the subordinate clause ‘who was sitting behind the reception desk’ modifies the noun woman. Hence it is an adjective clause.
Answers
1. Here is the money that you lent me. (Adjective clause)
2. The person who leaves last should put the lights out. (Adjective clause)
3. This is the house that I told you about. (Adjective clause)
4. People are sleeping out on the streets because there are not enough houses. (Adverb clause)
5. I knew that I should write to her, but I forgot. (Noun clause)
6. Does anyone know where Janet lives? (Noun clause)
7. James replied that he was feeling better. (Noun clause)
8. Come in quietly so that she does not hear you. (Adverb clause)
9. I always knew that I could trust you. (Noun clause)
10. The scales broke when I was weighing myself this morning. (Adverb clause)
11. If you are ever in London, come and see me. (Adverb clause)
12. The woman who was sitting behind the reception desk gave me a big smile. (Adjective clause)
