Adjective, adverb, and noun clauses contain a subject and a verb.
They function as adjectives, adverbs, and nouns using pronouns or subordinating
conjunctions.
Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause is also known as a relative clause. It contains a subject
and a verb but it does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as
a complete sentence. This clause provides a description and functions as an
adjective. Adjective clauses are placed after the noun it is modifying.
Adjective clauses start with a pronoun.
· The kids who live in this neighborhood take
the bus to school. (Modifies kids)
· Sean who is my best friend lives in
that house. (Modifies Sean)
· The dog that ate my garden vegetableslives
next door. (Modifies dog)
· Maria whose father is a Spanish professoris
my Spanish tutor. (Modifies Maria)
· The bike that I won at the raffle got
a flat tire. (Modifies bike)
Adverb Clauses
An adverb clause provides a description and functions as an adverb. It contains
a subject and a verb but it does not express a complete thought and cannot
stand alone as a complete sentence. Adverb clauses answer questions of how,
when, where, and why. Adverb clauses start with a subordinating conjunction.
· Call me when you get home. (Answers when)
· I cooked dinner while the kids were playing
outside. (Answers when)
· This is the store where the robbery took place.
(Answers where)
· Bring extra clothes since we might get wet at
the beach. (Answers why)
· You can have another cookie if you tell me your
secret. (Answers how)
Noun Clauses
A noun clause plays the role of a noun. It contains a subject and a verb but it
does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a complete
sentence. Noun clauses start with a pronoun or subordinating conjunction.
· That store is where I bought your favorite
shoes.
· You get to choose which restaurant we go to
tonight.
· The reason we were late is because my car ran
out of gas.
· Jane is the only one who knows my secret.
· My dog will sleep wherever he wants.
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