Function of Dependent Clauses

Function of Dependent Clauses

Noun, Adjective, Adverb Clauses

When you have a DEPENDENT clause in a sentence, that means you have a group of words that has a subject & verb but is NOT a complete sentence.

• I love music because it puts me in a good mood.

• What I had for lunch was so good!

• All dependent clauses will be one of three types: NOUN, ADJECTIVE, OR ADVERB

Let's start by reviewing how you knew a phrase was a gerund - working as a noun.

• Jogging is good exercise. What is the subject?

• Running up the steps is good exercise. What is the subject?

• I love cake. What is the direct object?

• I love baking cakes! What is the direct object?

Clauses work in the same way as phrases!

• Whatever you wish is my command. What is the subject?

• I know where the treasure is. What is the direct object?

• We wondered what was for dinner. What is the direct object?

• Show me how they work. What is the direct object?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following has a noun clause?

• I saw what it was.

• I saw an old man on the side of the dark road.

Multiple Choice

What I am doing is truly none of your business. Which part of this sentence is the noun clause?

• What I am doing

• is truly none of your business

• none of your business

Let's move on to adjective clauses. An adjective clause is a dependent clause that describes a noun. These often begins with one of the following words: who, whom, whose, that, which

• My oldest sister, who loves to read, is going to college next year.

• The car that is sitting in our driveway has a flat tire.

• The dog ran away because of the storm, which was pretty severe.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences has an adjective clause?

• My dog loves to eat ice cream in the summer time.

• The math test, which took two hours to take, had 75 problems on it.

• I failed the math test because I did not study.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences has an adjective clause?

• I could hear laughing and taking coming from down stairs.

• I moved the dresser, which was very heavy, in front of the door.

• She whispered so softly.

• Where she is from is a mystery.

Now, let's learn about adverb clauses.

• Adverb clauses tell how, when, where, or why.

• These clauses begin with a word that makes the clause not a sentence.

• The most common adverb clauses starters are the AAAWWUBBIS words.

• As, Although, After, While, When, Unless, Because, Before, If, Since

Some examples of dependent adverb clauses

• Because she was late so many times, she lost her job.

• If everyone makes a 100, we will have a pizza party!

• We will not go outside since it is raining.

• My mom cried when he left.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences has an adverb clause?

• He saw a UFO in the sky.

• If I ever see a UFO, I will try to record it.

• My grandma, who is 95 years old, sill walks everyday.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following has an adverb clause?

• We crept to the edge of the bushes that bordered the narrow road.

• I noticed my father's silence when we were at dinner.

• I can't wait until summer break!