B. Foundations of Language · Foundations: Grammar, Sentences and Punctuation

Three Kinds of Dependent Clauses: Adjective, Adverb and Noun

B3.1 B3.2 B3.3About 45 minutes

Learning goals

I can find a dependent clause and tell which job it does: adjective, adverb or noun.
I can use noun clauses as subjects and objects.
I can use adverb clauses to show time, cause, condition, contrast and purpose.
I can punctuate each kind of clause correctly.

Words to know

adjective clause
A dependent clause that describes a noun or pronoun. It often starts with who, whom, whose, which, that, where or when. Also called a relative clause.

adverb clause
A dependent clause that tells when, where, why, how, under what condition or in spite of what. It starts with a subordinating conjunction like because, if, although, when or so that.

noun clause
A dependent clause that does the job of a noun: it can be a subject, an object or come after a linking verb. It often starts with that, what, whatever, who, whoever, whether, if, how, why, where or when.

subordinating conjunction
A word that starts an adverb clause and shows how it connects to the main clause, like because, although, unless, since, until.

One word, three jobs

Look at the word when in these three sentences.

I remember the day when it snowed in May.
When it snowed in May, we stayed inside.
Nobody knows when it will snow again.

Each bold part is a dependent clause. But each one does a different job. In sentence 1 it describes the day (which day?). In sentence 2 it tells when we stayed inside. In sentence 3 it is the thing nobody knows. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to name all three jobs.

Remember from Grade 6

You learned adjective clauses (relative clauses): The student who won the spelling bee is my cousin. An adjective clause describes a noun, just like an adjective does.

In Grade 7 you'll add two more kinds of dependent clause. A clause can do the job of an adjective, an adverb or a noun.

The three kinds of dependent clauses and some words that often start them.

Adverb clauses: when, why, if, in spite of what

An adverb clause tells more about the action in the main clause. Its first word shows the relationship:

Time: when, after, before, while, until, as soon as
Cause: because, since, as
Condition: if, unless, as long as
Contrast: although, even though, whereas
Purpose: so that

Adverb clauses can usually move: We stayed inside because it was −30°C. → Because it was −30°C, we stayed inside.

Noun clauses: a whole clause acting as a noun

A noun clause fills a noun's spot in a sentence.

Subject: What you said made me laugh.
Direct object: I wonder whether the rink is open.
After a linking verb: The problem is that we lost the map.
After a preposition: We talked about where we should camp.

Test: Replace the clause with it, something or someone. If the sentence still works, it's a noun clause. I wonder something. ✓

Clause	Job	Test question	Example
Adjective	Describes a noun	Which one? What kind?	The canoe that we borrowed leaks.
Adverb	Tells about the action	When? Why? Under what condition?	Unless it rains, we'll paddle.
Noun	Acts as a noun	Can I replace it with it or something?	I know that it leaks.

How to tell the three kinds apart

Worked example

Let's sort the three "when" sentences

Name the kind of clause in each: (1) I remember the day when it snowed in May. (2) When it snowed in May, we stayed inside. (3) Nobody knows when it will snow again.

(1) The clause comes right after the noun day and tells which day. → adjective clause.
(2) The clause tells when we stayed inside. It can move: We stayed inside when it snowed in May. → adverb clause.
(3) Replace the clause with something: Nobody knows something. ✓ It is the object of knows. → noun clause.

(1) adjective, (2) adverb, (3) noun.

All three clauses start with when, but they do different jobs: the first describes the noun day, the second tells when the action happened, and the third is the thing nobody knows.

Commas with clauses

Adverb clause first: put a comma after it. If it rains, we'll go to the museum.
Adverb clause last: usually no comma. We'll go to the museum if it rains.
Adjective clause with extra information: commas around it. Mr. Lopez, who grew up in Thunder Bay, taught us to knit.
Adjective clause that's needed to know which one: no commas. The canoe that we borrowed leaks.
Noun clauses: no commas. I know that you tried your best.

Worked example

Let's find every clause in a long sentence

Although nobody knew who had left the gate open, the dog that escaped came home before dinner.

Find the main (independent) clause: the dog came home before dinner.
Although nobody knew who had left the gate open starts with although and tells about the action in spite of something → adverb clause (contrast). It comes first, so it is followed by a comma.
Inside it, who had left the gate open is what nobody knew → noun clause (object of knew).
that escaped tells which dog → adjective clause, no commas because we need it.
before dinner has no verb → it is a phrase, not a clause.

One independent clause, plus an adverb clause, a noun clause and an adjective clause. Clauses can even sit inside other clauses!

Just for fun

Why did the dependent clause bring a friend to the party?

It couldn't stand alone!

Hands-on activity

Clause sort on the fridge

You need: 9 sticky notes (or small squares of paper and tape) and a pen.

Listen to your family for one evening, or flip through a book you're reading. Write down 9 dependent clauses you hear or read, one per note (for example because I'm hungry, what we're having for dinner, who lives next door).
Make three columns on the fridge or a door: Adjective, Adverb, Noun.
Sort your notes. Use the tests: Which one? (adjective), When/why/if? (adverb), Can I replace it with "something"? (noun).
Ask a grown-up to check one from each column by saying the whole sentence aloud.

What to look for: at least two clauses in each column, and a reason for each choice.

Your turn

Find the dependent clause and name its kind: The canoe that we borrowed has a small leak.

Find the dependent clause and name its kind: We stayed inside because the wind chill was −30°C.

Find the dependent clause and name its kind: I wonder whether the rink will open this weekend.

Find the dependent clause and name its kind: What you said made me laugh.

Find the dependent clause and name its kind: Unless it rains, the fair will go ahead.

Add commas if needed: Mr. Lopez who grew up in Thunder Bay taught us to knit.

Find the dependent clause and name its kind: Do you know where the extension cord is?

More practice: warm-up

Underline the dependent clause: After the game ended, we went for pizza.

Underline the dependent clause: The girl whose bike was missing called her mom.

Underline the dependent clause: I know that you tried your best.

Which words start the adverb clause? We left early so that we could get good seats.

True or false: a dependent clause can be a complete sentence on its own.

More practice: on your own

Name the kind of clause: The question is whether we have enough volunteers.

Name the kind of clause: This is the park where we saw the coyote.

Add an adverb clause of condition to We will go tobogganing.

Name the kind of clause: Whoever finishes first can choose the music. Use a test to prove it.

Fix the comma: We wore our snow pants, because it was freezing.

Challenge

Write three sentences that use where: one adjective clause, one adverb clause and one noun clause.

Explain the difference: (a) I asked the coach, who was busy. (b) I asked who was busy.

Combine using a noun clause as the subject: Someone left the lights on. It is a mystery.

Check your understanding

Quiz

What kind of clause is bold? I hope that the bus is on time.

What kind of clause is bold? The student who found the wallet returned it.

What kind of clause is bold? Although it was late, we kept reading.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Which sentence has a noun clause as its subject?

Which word could start an adverb clause of condition?

For parents and teachers

What this lesson is about: recognizing the three kinds of dependent clauses by the job they do. Adjective clauses were taught in Grade 6; adverb and noun clauses are new labels for Grade 7.

How to help at home:

Use the three tests aloud: Which one? (adjective), When? Why? If? (adverb), Can I swap in "something"? (noun).
Point out clauses in everyday talk: I don't know what's for dinner (noun clause).

Common difficulties:

The same starting word (when, where, that) can begin different kinds of clauses. Focus on the job, not the first word.
Putting commas around noun clauses. Noun clauses don't take commas.
Adding a comma before an adverb clause at the end of a sentence. Usually it isn't needed.