Noun, Adjective, and Adverb Clauses: Also Known as Dependent Clauses! Grammar Eleventh Grade American Literature Ms. Pennell

Noun Clauses … A noun clause is a subordinate clause that acts as a noun. A noun clause is a subordinate clause that acts as a noun. Usually start with a relative pronoun Usually start with a relative pronoun Relative Pronouns: that, which, who, whom, whose Relative Pronouns: that, which, who, whom, whose Acts like a noun or an adjective Acts like a noun or an adjective

Functions in Sentences Examples Subject Whoever travels the Chattahoochee River follows the yellow rafts gently floating down a peaceful track. Direct Object You must pack whatever you will need. Indirect Object You should give whoever waits at the camp a copy of your route. Object of a Preposition Robert Campbell settled trading camps in whatever regions the Hudson’s Bay Company sent him. Predicate Nominative (is a noun or pronoun that appears with a linking verb and renames, identifies, or explains the subject) At 40, Campbell’s most notable achievement was that he established Fort Selkirk.

Adjective Clauses An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun by telling what kind or which one. Adjective clauses act like adjectives. An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun by telling what kind or which one. Adjective clauses act like adjectives. Usually connected to the word it modifies by one of the relative pronouns (that which, who, whom, or whose). Usually connected to the word it modifies by one of the relative pronouns (that which, who, whom, or whose). Sometimes, it is connected by a relative adverb (after, before, since, when, where, or why). Sometimes, it is connected by a relative adverb (after, before, since, when, where, or why).

Examples of Adjective Clauses Arctic winters, which are long and cold, are severe. Arctic winters, which are long and cold, are severe. The arctic is a region where life is difficult. The arctic is a region where life is difficult. She likes the guy who sits in front of her. She likes the guy who sits in front of her.

Essential and Nonessential Adjective Clauses An adjective clause that is nonessential to the basic meaning of a sentence is set off by commas. An adjective clause that is nonessential to the basic meaning of a sentence is set off by commas. The ship, which was a nuclear submarine, became the first vessel to pass beneath the North Pole. The ship, which was a nuclear submarine, became the first vessel to pass beneath the North Pole.

Example of an Essential Adjective Clause Essential adjective clauses are not set off by commas. Essential adjective clauses are not set off by commas. The first vessel that passed beneath the North Pole was a nuclear submarine. The first vessel that passed beneath the North Pole was a nuclear submarine.

Practical Use of Adjective Clauses By using either a nonessential or an essential adjective clause, you can often combine the ideas from two sentences into one. By using either a nonessential or an essential adjective clause, you can often combine the ideas from two sentences into one. The Arktika was the first surface ship to crack through the Arctic icepack. It was a Soviet ice breaker. The Arktika was the first surface ship to crack through the Arctic icepack. It was a Soviet ice breaker. Combine the above two sentences using an essential or nonessential adjective clause.

Solution … The Arktika, which was a Soviet icebreaker, was the first surface ship to crack the Arctic ice pack. The Arktika, which was a Soviet icebreaker, was the first surface ship to crack the Arctic ice pack.

Adjective Clauses Continued Relative pronouns and relative adverbs not only introduce adjective clauses, but also function within the subordinate clause. Relative pronouns and relative adverbs not only introduce adjective clauses, but also function within the subordinate clause.

Adjective Clauses Continued A relative pronoun or relative adverb: A relative pronoun or relative adverb: Connects the adjective clause to the modified word Connects the adjective clause to the modified word Acts within the clause as a subject, direct object, or other sentence part. Acts within the clause as a subject, direct object, or other sentence part.

The Uses of Relative Pronouns Within the Clause As a Subject: that is within the Arctic Circle The part of Alaska that is within the Arctic Circle is cold most of the year. As a Direct Object: (Reworded) I met whom last year The explorer whom I met last year has never been to the North Pole. As the Object of a Preposition: (Reworded) little foliage can grow in which – obj of prep The climate is one in which little foliage can grow. As an Adjective: whose sled left without him Adj. I saw a dog whose sled left without him.

Adverb Clauses Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or verbals by telling where, when, in what way, to what extent, under what condition, or why. Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or verbals by telling where, when, in what way, to what extent, under what condition, or why.

Elliptical Adverb Clauses In an elliptical adverb clause, especially those beginning with as or than, the verb or both the subject and the verb are not stated but are understood. In an elliptical adverb clause, especially those beginning with as or than, the verb or both the subject and the verb are not stated but are understood. Verb Understood: I am taller than he (is). Verb Understood: I am taller than he (is). The Yukon has as many rural inhabitants as (it has) urban inhabitants. The Yukon has as many rural inhabitants as (it has) urban inhabitants.