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Main and subordinate clauses, and choosing the right relative pronoun.
Question 1 of 12
Which relative pronoun completes this sentence? The boy ___ bag was left behind is in Year Five.
"whose" is the one that fits, because the bag belongs to the boy. A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. "Whom" is the object form. If you could answer with "him" rather than "he", it is whom.
The answer is D. "whose" is the one that fits, because the bag belongs to the boy. A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. "Whom" is the object form. If you could answer with "him" rather than "he", it is whom.
Which relative pronoun completes this sentence? The bike ___ I borrowed had a puncture.
"that" is the one that fits, because the missing word refers to a thing, and the clause is essential to identifying it. A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. "That" can replace "who" or "which" when the clause is essential — but not when it is set off with commas.
The answer is B. "that" is the one that fits, because the missing word refers to a thing, and the clause is essential to identifying it. A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. "That" can replace "who" or "which" when the clause is essential — but not when it is set off with commas.
Which group of words is the subordinate clause in this sentence? Unless the fog lifts, the ferry will not sail.
"Unless the fog lifts" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "the ferry will not sail" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — unless here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Say the group of words on its own. If it leaves you hanging, it is subordinate.
The answer is B. "Unless the fog lifts" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "the ferry will not sail" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — unless here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Say the group of words on its own. If it leaves you hanging, it is subordinate.
Which relative pronoun completes this sentence? The day ___ the results arrived, nobody could eat breakfast.
"when" is the one that fits, because the missing word refers to a time. A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. If the clause is extra information, it needs commas and cannot use "that".
The answer is C. "when" is the one that fits, because the missing word refers to a time. A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. If the clause is extra information, it needs commas and cannot use "that".
Which group of words is the subordinate clause in this sentence? They cancelled the match as the pitch was frozen solid.
"as the pitch was frozen solid" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "They cancelled the match" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — as here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Say the group of words on its own. If it leaves you hanging, it is subordinate.
The answer is A. "as the pitch was frozen solid" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "They cancelled the match" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — as here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Say the group of words on its own. If it leaves you hanging, it is subordinate.
Which group of words is the subordinate clause in this sentence? When the tide goes out, the causeway is safe to cross.
"When the tide goes out" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "the causeway is safe to cross" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — when here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Although, because, if, when, while, until, unless, since — these words start subordinate clauses.
The answer is A. "When the tide goes out" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "the causeway is safe to cross" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — when here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Although, because, if, when, while, until, unless, since — these words start subordinate clauses.
The answer is B. "whose" is the one that fits, because the bag belongs to the boy. A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. "Whom" is the object form. If you could answer with "him" rather than "he", it is whom.
Which group of words is the subordinate clause in this sentence? We ran for the bus because we were already late.
"because we were already late" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "We ran for the bus" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — because here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. A subordinate clause can come first, last, or in the middle. Its position does not change what it is.
The answer is A. "because we were already late" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "We ran for the bus" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — because here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. A subordinate clause can come first, last, or in the middle. Its position does not change what it is.
Which relative pronoun completes this sentence? The neighbour ___ I spoke to had not heard the news.
"whom" is the one that fits, because the missing word is the object of "spoke to". A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. If the clause is extra information, it needs commas and cannot use "that".
The answer is B. "whom" is the one that fits, because the missing word is the object of "spoke to". A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. If the clause is extra information, it needs commas and cannot use "that".
Which relative pronoun completes this sentence? The harbour ___ the boats shelter is very old.
"where" is the one that fits, because the missing word refers to a place. A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. Who for people, which for things, where for places, when for times, whose for whatever belongs to something.
The answer is C. "where" is the one that fits, because the missing word refers to a place. A relative clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun, and the relative pronoun is the hinge that joins it on. Choosing between them is mostly a question of what the noun is: a person, a thing, a place, a time, or something owned. Who for people, which for things, where for places, when for times, whose for whatever belongs to something.
Which group of words is the subordinate clause in this sentence? If you leave now, you will catch the early train.
"If you leave now" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "you will catch the early train" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — if here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Say the group of words on its own. If it leaves you hanging, it is subordinate.
The answer is B. "If you leave now" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "you will catch the early train" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — if here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Say the group of words on its own. If it leaves you hanging, it is subordinate.
Which group of words is the subordinate clause in this sentence? Because the lane was blocked, the lorry reversed for half a mile.
"Because the lane was blocked" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "the lorry reversed for half a mile" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — because here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Although, because, if, when, while, until, unless, since — these words start subordinate clauses.
The answer is C. "Because the lane was blocked" is the subordinate clause. The test is to say it on its own: it cannot stand as a sentence, because it leaves you waiting for the rest. "the lorry reversed for half a mile" can stand alone, which is what makes it the main clause. The word that opens a subordinate clause — because here — is a subordinating conjunction, and it is the thing that makes the clause dependent on the rest. Although, because, if, when, while, until, unless, since — these words start subordinate clauses.
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