Clauses

Which of the following is an independent clause because it expresses a complete thought?

• After the soccer game ended

• The team celebrated its victory

• While the crowd was cheering loudly

• Who scored the winning goal

Answer explanation

An independent clause has a subject ('team') and a verb ('celebrated') and expresses a complete idea that can stand alone as a sentence. The other options are dependent clauses that do not express a complete thought on their own.

Which of these groups of words is a clause, not just a phrase, because it contains both a subject and a verb?

• Under the big, shady tree

• Running through the park

• Because she finished her homework

• My favorite blue backpack

Answer explanation

A clause must have a subject ('she') and a verb ('finished'). The other options are phrases because they lack either a subject, a verb, or both, and function as single parts of speech.

True or False: A dependent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

A dependent clause has a subject and verb but starts with a word (like 'because' or 'when') that makes it an incomplete thought. It must be joined to an independent clause to form a sentence.

Which sentence contains a dependent clause that functions as an adjective, modifying a noun?

• I wonder what is for dinner tonight.

• The phone rang while I was in the shower.

• The mystery book that I'm reading is exciting.

• Whatever you decide is fine with me.

Answer explanation

The adjective clause 'that I'm reading' describes the noun 'book'. The other options contain noun clauses ('what is for dinner,' 'Whatever you decide') and an adverb clause ('while I was in the shower').

In the sentence 'When the bell rings, we will go to lunch,' what is the dependent clause?

• we will go to lunch

• go to lunch

• When the bell rings

• the bell rings

Answer explanation

The dependent clause is 'When the bell rings' because it begins with the subordinating conjunction 'When' and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. 'we will go to lunch' is the independent clause.

Complete the sentence with the correct relative pronoun to form an adjective clause: The girl _____ dog is always barking lives next door.

• who

• which

• whose

• whom

Answer explanation

The possessive relative pronoun 'whose' is needed to show that the dog belongs to the girl. 'Who' and 'whom' refer to people, and 'which' refers to things.

True or False: In the sentence 'The reward is what you truly deserve,' the noun clause 'what you truly deserve' functions as a subject complement, renaming the subject.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The noun clause 'what you truly deserve' follows the linking verb 'is' and renames or describes the subject 'The reward.' This makes it a subject complement (or predicate nominative).

In the sentence 'My friend, who is an amazing artist, drew this picture,' the adjective clause is nonrestrictive. What does this mean?

• The clause is necessary to identify which friend is being talked about.

• The clause provides extra, non-essential information and is set off by commas.

• The clause functions as the subject of the sentence.

• The clause is missing a relative pronoun.

Answer explanation

A nonrestrictive clause adds extra detail but is not needed to understand the sentence's main point. It is always separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.

Which of the following is a complete sentence and NOT a fragment?

• Since we have a snow day tomorrow.

• The video game that I just bought.

• I can't wait for the weekend.

• Unless you finish your chores.

Answer explanation

This is an independent clause that expresses a complete thought. The other options are dependent clauses or phrases that are fragments because they cannot stand alone as sentences.

In the sentence, 'The coach will give the trophy to whoever scores the most points,' the noun clause 'whoever scores the most points' is functioning as what part of the sentence?

• The subject

• A direct object

• The object of a preposition

• A subject complement

Answer explanation

The noun clause 'whoever scores the most points' acts as the object of the preposition 'to.' It answers the question 'to whom?'