1

DEALING WITH COMPLEX SENTENCES

Look at the sentences below where you can find some examples of different types of noun, adjective and adverb clauses. Then…

Find the marker and underline the subordinate clause. In case of an adjective clause say whether it is a defining or a

non-defining one.

In case of a noun clause say whether it is working as a subject or as an object of the verb.

In case of an adverb clause say which type it is.

1. Until cable vision was invented, many people could not get a clear reception on their TV set. adverb clause of time 2. As water vapor cools, it changes from gas to liquid. adverb clause of time

3. This sign means that you can’t enter here. noun clause as an object 4. She’s the girl who saw a ghost. defining adjective clause 5. Suzy, who didn’t come today, is doing something dangerous. Non-defining adjective clause 6. She has a book which talks about matters of love. defining adjective

clause

7. She explained what she had seen. noun clause as an object 8. I said that I didn’t want to do it. noun clause as an object 9. A boy who is clever passes all his exams. defining adjective clause 10. He explained to me that he wanted to take me on a world-cruise. noun clause as an object 11. The suggestion he made is that he wanted me to become an associate member of the company. noun clause as an object

2

12. Some of the passengers who paid considerably less for their tickets had a young person’s rail-card. defining adjective clause 13. It was so difficult that I couldn’t do it. adverb clause of result

14. Although it is so difficult, I have to speak Spanish. adverb clause of concession

15. He was walking so strangely because he had hurt his leg. adverb clause of

reason

16. Unfortunately, my children, who usually eat anything non-defining adjective

clause that is put in front of them, defining adjective clause aren’t terribly fond of the food that is served there. defining adjective clause This is because the people

who prepare the food, defining adjective clause most of which is Italian, non defining

adjective clause use too many herbs and spices for their liking. Everything they cook is rather rich, which suits my husband and I perfectly. non-

defining adjective clause 17. I was so short of ready cash that I decided to work my passage from Buenos Aires to London on an old ship. adverb clause of result 18. You might soon discover that a cabin on a cargo ship is more expensive than one on the QE2, and your voyage could last a couple of months more. noun clause as an object 19. She works for a company that organizes adventure holidays. defining adjective clause 20. Some people that she was talking to had been on a trip down the Amazon. defining adjective clause

Tips to remember: Noun, adjective and adverb clauses are only dependent clauses.

Adjective clauses are divided in defining (without commas) and non-defining (which

add extra information and are set off by commas). Their most common markers are:

who, which, that. what. Noun clauses are divided in subject (before the verb) and object (after the verb). As

they are nouns, they can be substituted by some pronouns. Their most common

markers are: that. what.

Adverb clauses are the ones that tell you the time, manner, reason, place, purpose, quantity, result, concession, opposition or condition, something was done.