Tag: sentences

Questions Related to sentences

Identify the principal/main clause in the following sentence:
Because the food was too cold, I heated it on the stove.

types of sentences sentences english

  1. the food was too cold

  2. I heated it on the stove

  3. the food

  4. I heated

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Principal clauses form a complete sentence and can stand alone without any extra information. Here "I heated..stove" makes a complete independent sentence, hence Option B is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the goal, hence incorrect. 

Identify whether the following sentence is simple, compound or complex:

The rain fell heavily and the stars could not be seen.

types of sentences sentences english

  1. Complex - subordinate noun clause

  2. Complex - subordinate adjective clause

  3. Simple

  4. Compound

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses. Here the two clauses are, "the rain fell heavily" and "the...seen". Hence, Option D is correct. The rest of the options do not correctly denote the sentence, hence incorrect. 

Identify the principal or main clause in the following sentence:
Joe and Mary arrived after I had already left the house.

types of sentences sentences english

  1. Joe and Mary arrived

  2. left the house

  3. after I had already left the house

  4. Joe and Mary

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Principal clauses form a complete sentence and can stand alone without any extra information. Here "Joe and Mary arrived" makes a complete independent sentence, hence Option A is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the goal, hence incorrect. 

Identify the subordinate clause in the following:
The man who had left behind his spectacles on the park bench was later identified as the same person who had been accused of the robbery in the nearby bank. 

types of sentences sentences english

  1. who had left behind

  2. was later identified

  3. who had been accused

  4. of the robbery in the nearby bank

Show answer
Correct Option: A,C
Explanation:

Subordinate clauses start with conjunctions or prepositions and cannot exist without the on the main clause. Here “who...behind” and “who...accused” are dependent on “The...identified”. Hence, Option A and C are correct. The rest of the options do not fit this description, hence incorrect.

Identify the subordinate clause in the following:
Apart from the shy manner in which he greets his guests, there is something particularly distinct about his demeanor. 

types of sentences sentences english

  1. in which he greets his guests

  2. Apart from the shy manner

  3. Apart from the shy manner in which he greets his guests

  4. there is something particularly distinct about his demeanor

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Subordinate clauses start with conjunctions or prepositions and cannot exist without the on the main clause. Here “apart...guests” is dependent on “there...demeanour”. Hence, Option C is correct. The rest of the options do not fit this description, hence incorrect.

Identify the subordinate clause in the following sentence:
After Mary finished writing the first draft of her essay, she went out to take a stroll through the garden. 

types of sentences sentences english

  1. writing the first draft of her essay

  2. she went out

  3. to take a stroll through the garden

  4. After Mary finished writing

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Subordinate clauses start with conjunctions or prepositions and cannot exist without the on the main clause. Here “after...writing” is dependent on “she...garden”. Hence, Option D is correct. The rest of the options do not fit this description, hence incorrect.

Identify the subordinate clause in the following:
Mr. Desouza will not begin his day until he has had his first cup of coffee. 

types of sentences sentences english

  1. Mr. Desouza will not begin his day

  2. his first cup of coffee

  3. until he has had his first cup of coffee

  4. will not begin

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Subordinate clauses start with conjunctions or prepositions and cannot exist without the on the main clause. Here “until...coffee” is dependent on “Mr.Desouza...day”. Hence, Option C is correct. The rest of the options do not fit this description, hence incorrect.

Identify the subordinate clause in the following:
He was taught to defend his country against his enemies who were always waiting to strike. 

types of sentences sentences english

  1. He was taught to defend his country

  2. against his enemies

  3. who were always waiting to strike

  4. his country against

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Subordinate clauses start with conjunctions or prepositions and cannot exist without the on the main clause. Here “who...strike” is dependent on “He...enemies”. Hence, Option C is correct. The rest of the options do not fit this description, hence incorrect.

Rewrite the following sentence by removing the infinitive phrase:
Teachers have found the overhead projector to be invaluable as a teaching aid.

Teachers have found that the overhead projector __________.

types of sentences sentences english

  1. To be invaluable as a teaching aid

  2. Is invaluable as a teaching aid

  3. Was invaluable as a teaching aid

  4. Invaluable as a teaching aid

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Complex sentences have subordinate clauses which contain a verb, here "is". The tense in this case should be present. Hence, option B is correct. The rest of the options do not fit this description, hence, incorrect.