Review: Noun, Adjective, and Adverb Clauses
See if you can determine the function of the hilighted dependent clause in each of the following passages. Remember that a noun clause answers questions like "who(m)?" or "what?"; an adjective clause answers questions like "which (one)?"; and an adverb clause answers questions like "when?", "where?", "why?", "with what goal/result?", and "under what conditions?".
1.
Some people buy expensive cars simply because they can.
1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
2.
Many people hope that Canada can resolve its economic problems.
1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
3.
The bankers need to know what they should do.
1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
4.
Which one is the person who stole your car?
1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
5.
Wherever there is a large American city, there will be poverty.
1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
6.
The books which the professor assigned were very expensive.
1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
7.
Canada might give up its marketing boards if the European Community gives up its grain subsidies.
1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
8.
That is the place where Wolfe's and Montcalm's armies fought.

1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
9.
Unless the crown can make a better case, the accused murderer will not be convicted.
1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
10.
It is important to ask whether the wedding is formal or semi-formal.
1.
noun clause
2.
adjective clause
3.
adverb clause
Written by David Megginson
Exercise taken from: http://www.writingcentre.uottawa.ca/hypergrammar/rvnaacls.html