English Clauses Quiz
Test your understanding of English clause types with our free interactive quiz. Independent, dependent, relative, and adverbial clauses.
Start the Quiz →What This Quiz Covers
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. Understanding the different types of clauses — independent, dependent, relative, and adverbial — is essential for writing grammatically complete sentences, joining ideas effectively, and achieving the kind of sentence variety that examiners look for in writing tasks. This quiz tests your ability to identify, use, and punctuate clause types at B1 and B2 level.
The 20 multiple-choice questions cover identifying independent clauses that can stand alone as sentences, dependent clauses that require a main clause, relative clauses introduced by who, which, and that, and adverbial clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, when, and unless. Questions also test the correct use of relative pronouns, the distinction between defining and non-defining relative clauses, and the punctuation rules that apply to each clause type.
Whether you are working on your writing accuracy, preparing for a B1 or B2 exam such as Cambridge PET or FCE, or studying English grammar at an intermediate level, this quiz provides clear feedback on how well you understand clause structure.
What You Will Learn
- How to identify independent clauses (main clauses) and understand why they can stand alone as complete sentences, while dependent clauses cannot.
- How to use relative pronouns correctly: who for people, which for things, that for people or things in defining clauses, and whose for possession.
- The difference between defining relative clauses (no commas, identifies the noun) and non-defining relative clauses (with commas, adds extra information).
- How subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, while, unless, and as soon as introduce adverbial clauses expressing reason, contrast, time, and condition.
How to Prepare
Before taking this quiz, review the key clause types in a grammar guide. Pay particular attention to the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses — the punctuation rule (commas vs. no commas) is one of the most frequently tested areas at B1–B2 level. Understanding when to use that versus which is also a common exam focus.
For additional practice, try the Relative Clauses Quiz for a deeper focus on that specific clause type, or the Conjunctions Quiz to strengthen your knowledge of the words that introduce dependent clauses. You can also use the Complete the Sentence exercise to practise in context.
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Frequently Asked Questions
An independent clause (also called a main clause) contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence: "She finished her homework." A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) also has a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone because it depends on a main clause to complete its meaning. It is introduced by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun: "because she was tired", "which he had borrowed", "although it was raining." On their own, these fragments are incomplete.
A relative clause is a type of dependent clause that gives more information about a noun. It is introduced by a relative pronoun: who (for people), which (for things), that (for people or things in defining clauses), whose (for possession), or where/when (for places and times). Example: "The book that she recommended was excellent." Relative clauses can be defining (identifying which noun is meant — no commas) or non-defining (adding extra information — set off with commas).
A defining relative clause identifies which specific person or thing is being referred to. Without it, the sentence would not make sense or would mean something different. No commas are used: "The woman who called yesterday left a message." A non-defining relative clause adds extra, non-essential information about a noun that is already clearly identified. It is set off with commas, and removing it does not change the core meaning: "My sister, who lives in Paris, is visiting next week." Note: that cannot be used in non-defining relative clauses — only who or which.
An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions like an adverb — it modifies the main verb by explaining when, why, how, under what condition, or despite what something happens. Adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions: because/since/as (reason), although/even though/whereas (contrast), when/while/after/before/as soon as (time), if/unless/provided that (condition), so that/in order that (purpose). Example: "She left early because she had a meeting." The adverbial clause can often be moved to the front of the sentence: "Because she had a meeting, she left early."
In British English, both that and which can introduce defining relative clauses referring to things: "The book that/which I read was fascinating." However, that is generally preferred in defining clauses in everyday speech and informal writing. In non-defining relative clauses, only which is correct — never that: "The report, which was published last year, has now been updated." In American English, there is a stronger tradition of reserving which exclusively for non-defining clauses. For people, use who in both clause types (never which).
A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun — it can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. Noun clauses are often introduced by that, what, whether, how, or question words: "I know that she is right" (object), "What he said surprised everyone" (subject), "The question is whether we should go" (complement). A relative clause functions as an adjective — it modifies a noun. The key test: a noun clause can be replaced by a noun or pronoun ("I know it"), while a relative clause modifies the noun it follows ("The book that I read").
Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent (adverbial) clauses and show the relationship between the dependent clause and the main clause. The most important ones at B1–B2 level are: because, since, as (reason), although, even though, while, whereas (contrast/concession), when, while, after, before, as soon as, until, since (time), if, unless, provided that, as long as (condition), so that, in order that (purpose), and so...that, such...that (result). These are frequently tested in gap-fill exercises and sentence transformation tasks in Cambridge and IELTS exams.
Clause type determines punctuation rules. When an adverbial clause comes before the main clause, a comma follows it: "Although it was raining, we went for a walk." When the adverbial clause comes after the main clause, no comma is normally needed: "We went for a walk although it was raining." Non-defining relative clauses must be set off with commas before and after (if mid-sentence): "My brother, who lives abroad, is visiting." Defining relative clauses take no commas. Joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so) may use a comma before the conjunction in formal writing.
The 20-question clauses quiz typically takes 5 to 10 minutes. All questions are multiple-choice with four options, so no typing is required. You receive an instant score at the end with no registration needed. Because clause identification requires careful reading of whole sentences, some questions may take a little longer than a simple vocabulary quiz — allow around 10 minutes for a thorough attempt.
Yes. Clause knowledge is tested throughout Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) and B2 First (FCE) exams, particularly in Use of English (sentence transformations, open gap-fills) and Writing (where clause variety demonstrates grammatical range). IELTS Academic and General Training Writing also rewards the accurate use of complex sentences — those that contain dependent clauses — in both Task 1/2 letters and essays. This quiz focuses on the clause types and connectors most relevant to B1–B2 exam performance.