Syntax: Subordinate Clauses 1.1

Please wait while the activity loads.
If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. Also, this page requires javascript. Please visit using a browser with javascript enabled.

If loading fails, click here to try again

A subordinate (dependent) clause is a sentence within a sentence that does not form a complete thought on its own. Although these clauses have a subject and verb, their meaning is incomplete without the context of the independent clause to which it is attached, or under which it is embedded. The subordinate clause is headed by a subordinate conjunction. For more information on this topic, you can read our brief tutorial 'Syntax: Subordinate Clauses'. In the following exercises, decide whether the underlined group of words forms a subordinate clause. Then select true or false.

Start

You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.

Your answers are highlighted below.

Question 1

I will tell you where to find the lost treasure if you promise not to let anyone else know!

A	True Hint: ‘I will tell you where to find the lost treasure’ is not a subordinate clause since it is not headed by a subordinate conjunction. Furthermore, it forms a complete thought. ‘If you promise not to share let anyone else know’ is a subordinate clause since it is headed by the subordinate conjunction ‘if’ and does not form a complete thought.
B	False

Question 2

Wonder Woman confronted the evil villain who was planning to prevent the neighborhood picnic.

A	True
B	False Hint: ‘who was planning to prevent the neighborhood picnic’ is a subordinate clause since it is headed by the relative clause ‘who’ and does not form a complete thought. ‘Wonder Woman confronted the evil villain’ is the main clause.

Question 3

Spiderman junior could not have his dessert because he did not eat all his peas.

A	False Hint: ‘because he did not eat all his peas’ is a subordinate clause since it is headed by the subordinate conjunction ‘because’ and since it does not form a complete thought. ‘Spiderman junior could not have his dessert’ is the main clause since it forms a complete thought.
B	True

Question 4

Dr. Goodworth, whose license had expired, decided to become a trapeze artist.

False

True

Hint:

‘Decided to become a trapeze artist’ is not a complete thought, since there is no subject. It cannot be a subordinate clause since it is not headed by a subordinate conjunction. Remember that subordinate clauses need a subject and a verb, also. ‘Whose license had expired’ is the subordinate clause since it is headed by the relative pronoun ‘whose’, and does not form a complete thought. ‘Whose license had expired’ is a relative clause.

Question 5

After everyone left the party, Batman and the Joker went to see a movie.

A	False Hint: ‘After everyone left the party’ is a subordinate clause since it is headed by the subordinate conjunction ‘after’ and it cannot stand alone as a complete thought. ‘Batman and the Joker went to see a movie’ is a complete thought thus the main clause.
B	True

Question 6

Superman always keeps a shovel in his car in case it snows.

A	False Hint: ‘Superman always keeps a shovel in his car’ is the main clause since it forms a complete thought. ‘In case it snows’ is a subordinate clause since it is headed by the subordinate conjunction ‘in case’ and since it does not form a complete thought.
B	True

Question 7

My favorite classic film that I’ve seen the most frequently is Ben Hur.

A	True
B	False Hint: ‘that I’ve seen the most frequently’ is a subordinate clause since it is headed by the subordinate conjunction ‘that’ and does not forma complete thought. The main clause is ‘My favorite classic film is Ben Hur’ which is a complete thought.

Question 8

Lois did not make the cut, even though she rehearsed for the part for 6 months.

A	False Hint: ‘Even though she rehearsed for the part for 6 months’ is a subordinate clause since it is headed by the subordinate conjunction ‘even though’ and since it does not form a complete thought. ‘Lois did not make the cut’ is the main clause, since it forms a complete thought.
B	True

Question 9

Spiderman finished his thesis while he was living in Lyons.

A	True Hint: ‘Spiderman finished his thesis’ is a complete thought, thus the main clause. ‘While he was living in Lyons’ is headed by the subordinate conjunction ‘while’ and cannot stand alone as a complete thought, thus it is a subordinate clause.
B	False

Question 10

As soon as Harriet finishes painting her fence, she is heading for the beach.

A	False Hint: ‘As soon as Harriet finishes painting her fence’ is a subordinate clause since it is headed by the subordinate conjunction ‘as soon as’ and it does not form a complete thought. ‘She is heading for the beach’ is the main clause, since it forms a complete thought.
B	True

Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect. Get Results

There are 10 questions to complete.

Return to Syntax Exercises

Syntax: Subordinate Clauses 1.1

Your Subscription Information

Suggestions, Comments, & Questions