Workshop: Clauses in Sentences

Questions and Answers

Which sentence contains a dependent clause?

He fell ill and died in 1799, but we know that his legacy continues today.

Since James Madison served as president from 1809 to 1817, Dolley Madison was one of the earliest First Ladies. (correct)

Although he and Alexander Hamilton worked together on the Federalist Papers, Madison opposed many of Hamilton's ideas. (correct)

Madison was also one of the authors of the Federalist Papers, which argued for support of the constitution. (correct)

Which sentence contains a noun clause?

Whoever is going with us should meet at my house at 8:00 a.m. (correct)

He fell ill and died in 1799, but we know that his legacy continues today.

The street musicians sang to whomever passed them. (correct)

The investigation of the bank robbery determined who committed the crime. (correct)

What is the function of the noun clause in this sentence? The investigation of the bank robbery determined who committed the crime.

Direct object.

What is the function of the noun clause in this sentence? The street musicians sang to whomever passed them.

Object of a preposition. Signup and view all the answers

How can these sentences be combined to include a dependent clause? The coach announced the starters. The players sat on the bench.

The coach announced the starters while the players sat on the bench. Signup and view all the answers

How can these sentences be combined to include a dependent clause? The pianist had great talent. He could play Rachmaninoff blindfolded.

The pianist's great talent was that he could play Rachmaninoff blindfolded. Signup and view all the answers

How can these sentences be combined to include a dependent clause? The lifeguard was on duty. She pulled a toddler out of the pool.

While the lifeguard was on duty, she pulled a toddler out of the pool. Signup and view all the answers

When the Revolutionary War ended, ______

it marked the beginning of a new nation. Signup and view all the answers

Until she was seriously injured, ______

she participated in every competition. Signup and view all the answers

Because he made significant discoveries about electricity, ______

he is often considered a pioneer in the field. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dependent Clauses

A dependent clause cannot stand alone and relies on an independent clause for meaning.
Example sentence: "Since James Madison served as president from 1809 to 1817, Dolley Madison was one of the earliest First Ladies," highlights a dependent clause.
Another example with a dependent clause: "Although he and Alexander Hamilton worked together on the Federalist Papers, Madison opposed many of Hamilton's ideas."

Noun Clauses

Noun clauses can function in a sentence as a subject, object, or complement.
Example of a noun clause functioning as a direct object: "The investigation of the bank robbery determined who committed the crime."
Example of a noun clause functioning as the object of a preposition: "The street musicians sang to whomever passed them."

Combining Sentences with Dependent Clauses

Sentences can be combined by adding a dependent clause.
For instance, "The coach announced the starters. The players sat on the bench." can be combined to: "The coach announced the starters while the players sat on the bench."
Another example: "The pianist had great talent. He could play Rachmaninoff blindfolded." can be combined to: "The pianist's great talent was that he could play Rachmaninoff blindfolded."

Sentence Completion with Dependent Clauses

Sentences can be initiated with phrases that imply a dependent clause.
Examples include:
- "When the Revolutionary War ended,"
- "Until she was seriously injured,"
- "Because he made significant discoveries about electricity,"

Description

This quiz focuses on identifying independent, dependent, and noun clauses in sentences. Test your understanding of clause types with practical examples and enhance your grammar skills. Perfect for students looking to improve their writing and comprehension abilities.