Clauses and Its Types: Definitions, Examples, and 100 MCQs with Answers
Published on: October 22, 2025
📖 Table of Contents
🔹 Definition of Clause
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb. A clause may be an independent sentence or it may be a dependent (subordinate) clause that needs another clause to complete its meaning.
Example: I know that she is honest. (that she is honest = clause)
🔹 Types of Clauses
1. Independent Clause
An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. Example: She reads every day.
2. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause
A dependent clause cannot stand alone and depends on a main clause to make sense. Example: Because she was tired, she slept early.
🔹 Kinds of Subordinate Clauses
a. Noun Clause
A noun clause acts like a noun — it can be a subject, object, or complement. Example: I know that honesty is important.
b. Adjective Clause
An adjective clause (relative clause) modifies a noun. It often begins with who, whom, whose, which, that. Example: The book that I bought is good.
c. Adverb Clause
An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb — telling when, where, why, how, or under what condition. Example: I will call you when I arrive.
🔹 Examples of Clauses
- Independent clause: She runs fast.
- Noun clause: What he said was true. (subject)
- Adjective clause: The man who is standing there is my uncle.
- Adverb clause: He left because he was angry.
100 MCQs Clauses and Its Types:—( Click to Show Answer )
Each question has four options (a–d). Click the Show Answer button to reveal the correct answer.
1. A clause must contain a _______.
Answer: b) Verb
2. Which of the following is an independent clause?
Answer: c) She plays the piano
3. A dependent clause cannot _______.
Answer: c) Stand alone
4. Identify the clause: “He said that he was tired.”
Answer: c) Noun clause
5. Which sentence contains two clauses?
Answer: c) I went to school and met my friend.
6. The clause “when it rains” is a _______.
Answer: c) Adverb clause
7. Identify the adjective clause: “The boy who won the race is my brother.”
Answer: b) who won the race
8. A noun clause can function as a _______.
Answer: d) All of the above
9. “She said that she was coming.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause
10. “I don’t know where he lives.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause
11. “The book that you gave me is good.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause
12. “Because she was tired, she went home.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause
13. “That she passed the test made her happy.” – Clause acting as?
Answer: c) Subject
14. “I will come if you invite me.” – Type of ‘if’ clause?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (condition)
15. “The car which he bought was expensive.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause
16. “What you said is true.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause
17. “When he arrived, we were eating.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause
18. “The man who stole the purse was caught.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause
19. “I know that you are right.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause
20. “If it rains, we will stay home.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause (condition)
21. “I don’t like what you did.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause
22. “I remember the day when we met.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause
23. “Although he was ill, he went to work.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause (concession)
24. “This is the place where I was born.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
25. “He said that he would come.” – Clause type?
Answer: a) Noun clause
26. “Unless you study, you will fail.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (condition)
27. “The woman who lives next door is a doctor.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause
28. “I don’t know why he left.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause
29. “Since it was late, we went home.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (reason)
30. “The movie which we watched was amazing.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
31. “He works harder than I do.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause of comparison
32. “That she could dance surprised us.” – Clause acting as?
Answer: b) Subject
33. “The boy whom I met yesterday is polite.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
34. “If you study hard, you will pass.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause (condition)
35. “Whatever you decide is fine with me.” – Clause type?
Answer: a) Noun clause
36. “The teacher who teaches English is kind.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause
37. “He came because he needed help.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause (reason)
38. “She smiled when she saw me.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (time)
39. “I don’t believe what he says.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause (object)
40. “The house that Jack built is strong.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
41. “He cried because he was hurt.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (reason)
42. “The person who helped you is my friend.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
43. “That he failed surprised everyone.” – Clause acting as?
Answer: b) Subject
44. “The time when he arrived was midnight.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
45. “As she was tired, she rested.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (reason)
46. “The girl whose pen I borrowed is absent.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (possessive relative)
47. “Whoever comes first will get the prize.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Noun clause (subject)
48. “He left after he finished the work.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause (time)
49. “This is the book which I wanted.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
50. “Because she worked hard, she succeeded.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (reason)
51. “I believe that he is innocent.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Noun clause (object)
52. “The man who was talking to you is my father.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
53. “Although it was cold, we went out.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (concession)
54. “He said that he would help us.” – Clause type?
Answer: a) Noun clause (object)
55. “The reason why he left is unknown.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
56. “After we had lunch, we went shopping.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (time)
57. “The person whom I trust most is you.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
58. “That he is honest is known to all.” – Clause acting as?
Answer: b) Subject
59. “If you run fast, you will win.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (condition)
60. “The day when we met was special.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
61. “What you say doesn’t matter.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause
62. “The film which I saw was great.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
63. “Because he was late, he missed the train.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (reason)
64. “Whoever wins will represent the school.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause (subject)
65. “The boy who broke the window was punished.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
66. “She sings better than I do.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause of comparison
67. “What you did was wrong.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause
68. “He left before I arrived.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause (time)
69. “The reason that he left is unclear.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
70. “I think that you are right.” – Clause type?
Answer: a) Noun clause (object)
71. “Although he is poor, he is happy.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause (concession)
72. “The man who sold me the car was honest.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
73. “That she lied made him angry.” – Clause acting as?
Answer: b) Subject
74. “He will wait until you come.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (time)
75. “The place where he lives is beautiful.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
76. “If it rains, we won’t go out.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (condition)
77. “The person whom I met was polite.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
78. “That he succeeded surprised us.” – Clause acting as?
Answer: b) Subject (noun clause)
79. “She left because she was tired.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (reason)
80. “The movie that I watched was exciting.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
81. “Whatever you decide is fine with me.” – Clause type?
Answer: a) Noun clause
82. “He ran so fast that he fell.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause of result
83. “The reason why I left is personal.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
84. “If you come early, we will start soon.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (condition)
85. “I know the girl who lives next door.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
86. “He works harder than I do.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause of comparison
87. “She said that she would help.” – Clause type?
Answer: a) Noun clause (object)
88. “Since it was late, we went home.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause (reason)
89. “Do whatever you think is right.” – Clause type?
Answer: a) Noun clause
90. “The man whom I met yesterday is a teacher.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
91. “Although it was raining, he went out.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adverb clause (concession)
92. “I know that he is honest.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Noun clause (object)
93. “The house which Jack built is old.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
94. “If she calls, tell her I’m busy.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (condition)
95. “That you failed doesn’t matter.” – Clause acting as?
Answer: b) Subject (noun clause)
96. “The teacher who taught us English is retired.” – Clause type?
Answer: b) Adjective clause (relative)
97. “As he was ill, he didn’t come.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (reason)
98. “The reason why he cried is unknown.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adjective clause (relative)
99. “That he spoke rudely upset everyone.” – Clause acting as?
Answer: b) Subject (noun clause)
100. “When you study, focus properly.” – Clause type?
Answer: c) Adverb clause (time)
✅ Conclusion
Clauses are essential building blocks of English grammar. Mastering independent and dependent clauses — and recognizing noun, adjective, and adverb clauses — will improve reading, writing, and test performance. Use the MCQs above to practice and test yourself — click the "Show Answer" button after you attempt each question.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions on Clauses
1. What is a clause?
A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a predicate. It can be independent or dependent.
2. What are the two main types of clauses?
The two main types of clauses are Independent Clauses and Dependent (Subordinate) Clauses.
3. What are the three types of subordinate clauses?
They are Noun Clause, Adjective Clause, and Adverb Clause.
4. What is an Independent Clause?
An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. Example: She sings beautifully.
5. What is a Dependent Clause?
A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and depends on the main clause for meaning. Example: Because she was late.
6. Give an example of a Noun Clause.
I believe that honesty is the best policy. (that honesty is the best policy = Noun Clause)
7. Give an example of an Adjective Clause.
The book that you gave me is interesting. (that you gave me = Adjective Clause)
8. Give an example of an Adverb Clause.
I will call you when I reach home. (when I reach home = Adverb Clause)
9. How do clauses differ from phrases?
A clause has both subject and verb, whereas a phrase does not contain both.
10. Why are clauses important in grammar?
Clauses help in forming complex and meaningful sentences, improving clarity and fluency in writing.
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