Clauses Quiz

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests some of the material covered on the Clauses page in our grammar section.

1. A clause is a group of words that includes

a subject and noun
a subject and verb
a subject and object
a) a subject and noun b) a subject and verb c) a subject and object

2. Which type of clause expresses a complete idea and can also be a complete sentence?

a dependent clause
an independent clause
a relative clause
a) a dependent clause b) an independent clause c) a relative clause

3. Which type of clause does not express a complete idea and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence?

a dependent clause
an independent clause
a main clause
a) a dependent clause b) an independent clause c) a main clause

4. Independent and dependent clauses can also be called

main and minor clauses
main and subordinate clauses
subordinate and insubordinate clauses
a) main and minor clauses b) main and subordinate clauses c) subordinate and insubordinate clauses

5. Which is an example of an independent clause?

if we have time
who's really smart
Marcus is very funny
a) if we have time b) who's really smart c) Marcus is very funny

6. Which is an example of a dependent clause?

I don't know
they didn't say
why he left
a) I don't know b) they didn't say c) why he left

7. To make sense, a dependent clause must be connected to

an independent clause
another dependent clause
another clause of any type
a) an independent clause b) another dependent clause c) another clause of any type

8. Which sentence combines an independent clause and a dependent clause?

I was there, but Sam didn't go
He couldn't go because he was sick
Sam went to hospital and now he's better
a) I was there, but Sam didn't go b) He couldn't go because he was sick c) Sam went to hospital and now he's better

9. Which sentence combines two independent clauses?

Do you get much exercise?
If the weather's OK, I exercise
I like running but Ann likes swimming
a) Do you get much exercise? b) If the weather's OK, I exercise c) I like running but Ann likes swimming

10. Dependent clauses starting with a relative pronoun like who, which or that are called

relative clauses
adverb clauses
noun clauses
a) relative clauses b) adverb clauses c) noun clauses

Your score is:

Correct answers:

Matt Errey Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.

01/2025