Adjective & Adverb Clauses

Adjective & Adverb Clauses

• consist of a few words but need both a subject and a verb

Clauses

• only consist of a few words

Phrases

Phrases vs. Clauses

• Incomplete sentences - cannot stand alone and sound like they need to keep going

• Must have both a subject and verb

Dependent

• Complete sentences - can stand alone

• Must have both a subject and verb

Independent

Independent vs. Dependent

Multiple Choice

The dog is playing catch.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

When my mother arrives.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

Because I studied hard for my test.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

I was watching my brother play video games.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

While I was playing soccer.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Adjective & Adverb Clauses: Independent or Dependent?

• ALWAYS dependent - cannot stand alone

• They NEED to be connected to independent clauses (complete sentences).

Adjective Clauses

• Easy to identify

• Usually set off with commas

• Start with relative pronouns:

  • Who

  • Whom

  • Whose

  • Which

  • That

• ​Answer adjective questions:

  • Which one?

  • What kind?

  • How many?

  • How much?

Multiple Choice

What is the adjective clause in the following sentence?

Cable television, which was originally used to bring in distant stations, provides many types of specialized programming.

• which was originally used to bring in distant stations

• cable television

• which

Multiple Choice

What is the adjective clause in the following sentence?

John Chapman, who was nicknamed Johnny Appleseed, planted apple seeds in Ohio,

Indiana, and Illinois.

• John Chapman

• who

• who was nicknamed Johnny Appleseed

Multiple Choice

What is the adjective clause in the following sentence?

Hummingbirds are tiny birds that are less than three inches long.

• hummingbirds

• are

• that are less than three inches long

Multiple Choice

What is the adjective clause in the following sentence?

The Irish wolfhound, which is a hunting dog, is the tallest breed of the species.

• which is a hunting dog

• the Irish wolfhound

• which

Adverb Clauses

• Easy to identify

• Start with subordinating

  conjunctions:

• ​Answer adverb questions:

  • When?

  • Where?

  • Why?

  • How?

  • To what extent?

Multiple Choice

Which one of the following is NOT a subordinating conjunction?

• how
• when
• whereas 
• because

Multiple Choice

What is the adverb clause in the following sentence?

The track star is a fierce competitor since he won the 5K race.

• since he won the 5K race
• The track star is a fierce competitor
• won the 5K race
• fierce competitor since he won

Multiple Choice

What is the adverb clause in the following sentence?

The student sprinted down the hall because he heard the late bell.

• The student sprinted down the hall
• because he heard the late bell
• down the hall
• he heard the late bell

Multiple Choice

What is the adverb clause in the following sentence?

David fed his dog after he gave her a bath.

• David fed his dog

• after he gave her a bath.

• after he gave

• he gave her a bath.

Tricky Situations

• Where and when can start both adjective and adverb clauses

• How to differentiate:

  • Put "is" between the noun and the clause. If it reads like a sentence, it's an adjective. If not, it's an adverb.

  • Example: This is the house where I grew up.

    • Adjective: The house is where I grew up.

Tricky Situations Continued

• Adjective clauses can eliminate the relative pronouns that introduce them, making them hard to find.

• Example:

  • Here's the coffee flavor I like.

  • Here's the coffee flavor that I like.

Multiple Choice

What is the adjective clause in the following sentence?

A university is a college where many subjects are studied.

• A university is a college

• where many subjects are studied

• where

Multiple Choice

What is the adjective clause in the following sentence?

Help came at a time when Stan needed it most.

• when Stan needed it most

• when

• Help came at a time

Multiple Choice

What adverb question is the adverb clause answering?

I ate a bowl of popcorn while I did my homework.

• Where?

• When?

• To what extent?