Complex Sentence - Part 3

Noun clauses

Author

Affiliation

Hung

David Moeller - Complex Sentence

PART 3: NOUN CLAUSES.

1 Creating Noun Clauses

1.1 Review

We began our study of complex sentences by learning that a complex sentence is an independent clause (a sentence) plus a subordinate clause. We learned that there are three types of subordinate clauses: adverb, adjective (the relative clause), and noun.

We have covered subordinate clauses of the adverb and adjective variety. The adverbial clauses appear to the left or the right of independent clauses and begin with subordinating conjunctions:

• after, as if, as long as, as soon as, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, if, since, so that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, wherever, while.

The adjectival clauses are relative clauses. We focused on three key relative pronouns: who, that, and which.

This bring us to our final clause type-the noun clause.

Like their cousins are adverbial and relative clauses, the noun clauses, too, begin with key words. We can call these key word noun-clause markers.

Here is a list:

• that, if, whether
• {words that can be used to create question} how, what, when, where, whom, why
• {the -ever words} however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever.

If we take an independent clause (a sentence) and add a noun-clause marker to the front of it, we get a noun clause.

• noun-clause marker + independent clause = noun clause

Examples:

take a sentences: the foal was delivered by helicopter

add a noun-clause marker: that

get a noun clause: that the foal was delivered by helicopter

Once more:

• take a sentence: the Shah wanted it delivered
• add a noun-clause marker: whenever
• get a noun clause: whenever the Shah wanted it delivered.

When a noun clause get added to an independent clause, the result is a complex sentence. Study two examples:

• example 1: What the clown found so funny was a mystery. (complex sentence? no)
• example 2: We did not understand why George was twitching in the forsythias (complex sentence? yes)

A complex sentence consists of an independent clause and at least one subordinate clause. Example 1 above consists of a noun clause plus a predicate (was a mystery) and, therefore, is not a complex sentence. In example 2, however, we do find one independent and one subordinate clause.

• independent clause: we did not understand
• subordinate clause: why George was twitching in the forsythias

1.2 Exercises

Decide which noun-clause markers from the bulleted list below can be attached to which of the following sentences. (Not all noun-clause markers will work with all sentences.)

Keep in mind that you are creating noun clauses, not sentences. A noun clause is a type of subordinate clause and, therefore, cannot stand alone. In fact, the noun-clause marker you add is the word that converts what would have been an independent clause into a subordinate clause.

• noun-clause markers: that, if, whether, how, what, when, where, whom, why, however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever

1. that the time was far away

• that the time was far away

2. the old woman had painted a picture of a dozen oranges

• how the old woman had painted a picture of a dozen oranges

3. truth is a mix of gold and silver

• when truth is a mix of gold and silver

4. the duck had spoken to the drake

• whatever the duck had spoken to the drake

5. the opposite of kite is yo-yo

• that the opposite of kite is yo-yo

6. the weatherman would stop to bow

• whenever the weatherman would stop to blow

2 Noun Clauses in Sentences

Complex sentences take this form:

• independent clause + subordinate clause

Noun clauses are one type of subordinate clause, so when we add noun clauses to sentences, we create complex sentences.

Noun clauses function as nouns; consequently, wherever we can place a noun, we can also place a noun clause. And we can test for nounness by using the key word something, somewhere, and someone. Whatever can replace any of these three words is a noun.

Examples:

• We did not understand something.
• We did not understand why George was twitching in the forsythias

In this example, the noun clause why George was twitching in the forsythias functions as a single noun.

Note

When using noun clauses to create complex sentences, the number of forms such sentences can take is limited. The number of verbs can be used in the creation of complex sentences with noun clauses is also limited.

Here is a list of verbs that can precede noun clauses:

• accept, admire, adore, appreciate, ask, catch, cherish, claim, comprehend, covet, decide, demand, desire, despise, detest, doubt, enjoy, feel, hate, have, hear, know, lack, like, love, make, miss, own, prefer, realize, recognize, require, see, smell, take, taste, understand, value, want, wonder.

2.1 Exercises

Step 1: Turn the second independent clause into a noun clause by adding a noun-clause marker to the front of it.

Step 2: Place the noun clause into the independent clause-simply replace the word something.

Example:

• first independent clause: you knew something
• second independent clause: the time was far away

Step 1: second independent clause + noun-clause marker = that the time was far away

Step 2: Insert the result of step 1 into the first independent clause = you knew that the time was far away.

Result? We have created a complex sentence containing a noun clause.

Number 1:

• first independent clause: she understands something
• second independent clause: truth is a mix of gold and silver
• noun clause-markers: that, if, whether, how, what, when, where, whom, why, however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever

step 1: when truth is a mix of gold and silver

step 2: she understands when truth is a mix of gold and silver.

Number 2:

• first independent clause: they did not comprehend something
• second independent clause: the duck had spoken to the drake

step 1: whenever the ducker had spoken to the drake

step 2: they did not comprehend whenever the duck had spoken to the drake.

Number 3:

• first independent clause: we loved something
• second independent clause: the weatherman would stop to bow

step 1: if the weatherman would stop to bow

step 2: we loved if the weatherman would stop to bow.

3 Subjects and Verbs in Complex Sentences with Noun Clauses.

Clauses contain one or more subjects and one or more verbs; noun clauses are no exception.

Here are two clauses with their subjects and verbs marked:

• how the cat got into the pantry
• why he had slept so late

And here are two independent clauses with their subjects and verbs maked:

• We could not tell something.
• Jameson began to explain something.

By adding our noun clauses to the independent clauses, we get complex sentences consisting of one independent and one subordinate clause:

• We could not tell something

• We could not tell {how the cat got in to the pantry}.

• Jameson began to explain something.

• Jameson began to explain {why he had slept so late}.

3.1 Exercises

For each of the following, identify the primary and secondary subjects and verbs. The secondary subject-verb combination will appear within the noun clause.

• Example: I know THAT the hand of God is the mirror of my own.

In this sentence, the primary subject-verb is I know and the secondary subject-verb (within the noun clause) is hand is.

1. I dreamed THAT I went into a forest.

In this sentence, the primary subject-verb is I dreamed and the secondary subject-verb (within the noun clause) is I went into.

2. You saw WHY five old pieces of fish-line hung from his lower lip.

In this sentence, the primary subject-verb is You saw and the secondary subject-verb is pieces hung.

3. They will know WHETHER it is all happening in the only possible way.

In this sentence, the primary subject-verb is They will know and the secondary subject-verb is it is.

4. I am afraid WHENEVER I go with the Northern Army on the long march south.

In this sentence, the primary subject-verb is I am afraid and the secondary subject-verb is I go

4 Review

We have learned that a complex sentence consists of an independent clause (a sentence) and a dependent or subordinate clause. Once we understand this, we also understand that the study of complex sentences is really the study of subordinate clauses.

We have studied each type of subordinate clause: the adverb clause, the adjective (relative) clause, and the noun clause.

• Adverb clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions: after, as if, as long as, as soon as, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, if, since, so that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, wherever, while.
• Adjective (relative) clauses begin with relative pronouns: who, that, which (the three most commonly used).
• Noun clauses begin with noun-clause markers: that, if, whether, how, what, when, where, whom, why, however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever.

4.1 THAT THE NOUN-CLAUSE MARKER VS. THAT THE RELATIVE PRONOUN

But wait a minute. If a word that can mark both relative clauses and noun clauses, how can we tell them apart?

Let’s do a comparison.

• relative clause: The trout that swim in the center of the river keep themselves safe.
• noun clause: I know that the hand of God is the mirror of my own.

Both examples contain a clause that begins with that. Let’s let RC stand for relative clause and NC stand for noun clause. There are three differences between these two clauses.

4.1.1 Difference 1: the part of speech

RC:

The relative clause, being an adjective, will describe a noun-in this case, the noun trout. What kind of trout? Trout that swim in the center of the river.

NC:

The noun clause, being a noun, will pass the something test:

• I know something.
• I know that the hand of God is the mirror of my own.

4.1.2 Difference 2: the clause’s subject

RC

The word that serves as the subject of the clause: that swim in the center of the river.

NC

The word that does not serve as the subject of the clause. (The subject-verb of the noun clause is hand is).

4.1.3 Difference 3: the preceding word

RC: The word preceding the clause (trout) is a noun. NC: The word preceding the clause (know) is a verb.

4.2 Exercises

For each of the following complex sentences, identify the independent and the subordinate clause. For each subordinate clause, decide whether the clause is functioning as an adverb, an adjective, or a noun.

The clause markers are listed here:

• adverb clause markers (subordinating conjunctions): after, as if, as long as, as soon as, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, if, since, so that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, wherever, while

• adjective (relative) clause markers (relative pronouns): who, that, which (the three most commonly used)

• noun-clause markers: that, if, whether, how, what, when, where, whom, why, however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever

Example:

• AFTER he thumped the jammed vending machine, the trooper walked home in his snowshoes. (The independent clause consists of which words? The subordinate clause consists of which words? What kind of clause is the subordinate clause: adverb, adjective, or noun?)

independent clause: the trooper walked home in his snowshoes

subordinate clause: AFTER he thumped the jammed vending machine (adverb clause)

1. I could not learn his mind because he never knew it himself. (The independent clause consists of which words? The subordinate clause consists of which words? What kind of clause is the subordinate clause: adverb, adjective, or noun?)

• independent clause: I could not learn his mind
• Subordinate clause: because he never knew it himself (adverb clause)

2. I followed whatever it was that whispered of love. (The independent clause consists of which words? The subordinate clause consists of which words? What kind of clause is the subordinate clause: adverb, adjective, or noun?)

• Independent clause: I followed
• Subordinate clause: whatever it was that whispered of love. (noun-clause) (can pass something test)

3. Imperfect stars create their reflections though the lake is mostly mud.

• Independent clause: Imperfect stars create their reflections
• subordinate clause: though the lake is mostly mud (adverb clause) (not pass something test, not who, which, that)

4. She wondered whether it was her heart or eyes that was faulty.

• The independent clause of that sentence consists of ‘She wondered’
• The subordinate clause of that sentence consists of ‘whether it was her heart or eyes that was faulty’ (noun clause) (pass something test)

5. We float messages to the refugees, who stand among the rubble of their flooded shelters

• The independent clause of the above sentence consists of ‘We float messages to the refugees’
• The subordinate clause of the above sentence consists of ‘who stand among the rubble of their flooded shelters’. We know it is an adjective clause because that clause begins with the word ‘who’.

6. We still hoped that they might get passage.

• The independent clause of the above sentence consists of ‘We still hoped’
• The subordinate clause of the above sentence consists of ‘that they might get passage’, and we know it is a noun clause because it can pass the something test.

7. You might still touch the lips that once spoke.

• The independent clause of the above sentence consists of ‘You might still touch the lips’.
• The subordinate clause of the above sentence consists of ‘that once spoke’, and we know it is a relative clause-adjective clause because it cannot pass the something test, and after the word ‘that’, is a verb ‘spoke’.

8. Your heart, which has been mined by others, will not recover its lightning and thunder

• The independent clause of the above sentence consists of ‘Your heart will not recover its lightning and thunder’.
• The subordinate clause of the above sentence consists of ‘which has been minded by others’, and we know it is an adjective clause-relative clause because it begins with the word ‘which’.

5 Mixed Clauses, Multiple Clauses

The complex sentences we’ve been studying represent the complex sentence at its most basic level: an independent clause (a sentence) with one subordinate clause. But in fact, complex sentence can contain mixed clauses (such as an adverb clause and a relative clause) or multiple clauses (such as three adverb clauses)

Here is an example of a complex sentence containing mixed clauses:

• {when Arjuna threw down his bow}, the warriors, {who were his cousins and kin}, ceased their fighting.

This example contains an independent clause and two subordinate clauses: - independent clause: the warriors ceased their fighting. - adverb clause: when Arjuna threw down his bow. - relative clause: who were his cousins and kin.

Another example: - The crowd {that assembled on the sidewalks} would never understand {why he filled his conversation with so many foreign words}.

This example also contains an independent clause and two subordinate clauses:

• independent clause: the crowd would never understand.
• relative clause: that assembled on the sidewalks
• noun clause: why he filled his conversation with so many foreign words.

Try out the next two examples independently. In the following example, see if we can identify an independent clause and three adverb clauses:

• When a teaspoonful of silkworm eggs endowed the church, when the letters of sacred testaments were unreeled in the coastal cities, when a bookworm conspired to enter the maze of empty roads, the rivers began flowing.

The independent clause in that sentence is ‘the rivers began flowing’, and the three adverb clauses are: ‘when a teaspoonful of silkworm eggs endowed the church’, ‘when the letters of sacred testaments were unreeled in the coastal cities’, and ‘when a bookworm conspired to enter the maze of empty roads’.

And in this next example, identify an independent clause and two relative clauses:

• All this takes place on my lawn, which has nothing to do with the seasons that roll lightly by.

In this sentence, the independent clause is “All this takes place on my lawn.”

The relative clause “which has nothing to do with the seasons that roll lightly by” adds information about “my lawn.”

Within that, “that roll lightly by” is a second relative clause, modifying “the seasons.”

5.1 Exercises

For each of the following, identify the independent and subordinate clauses.

For each subordinate clause, decide whether it’s an adverb clause, a relative clause (adjective), or a noun clause.

Before you begin, however, here are the answers to the last two examples you tried out on your own: - [WHEN a teaspoonful of silkworm eggs endowed the church], [WHEN the letters of sacred testaments were unreeled in the coastal cities], [WHEN a bookworm conspired to enter the maze of empty roads], the rivers began flowing.

independent: the rivers began flowing

adverb clause: WHEN a teaspoonful of silkworm eggs endowed the church

adverb clause: WHEN the letters of sacred testaments were unreeled in the coastal cities

adverb clause: WHEN a bookworm conspired to enter the maze of empty roads

• All this takes place on my lawn, [WHICH has nothing to do with the seasons] [THAT roll lightly by].

independent: all this takes place on my lawn

relative clause: WHICH has nothing to do with the seasons

relative clause: THAT roll lightly by

1. As the nails began to fly away, we wondered how we were to get any work done. (1 independent; 2 subordinate)

• In this sentence, the independent clause is ‘we wondered to get any work done’, and the adverb clause is ‘how we were’ adds information about ‘wondered’, and the relative clause ‘as the nails began to fly away’ adds information about wondered.

2. The busybody who lives next door understands that the bronze statues have been draped in towels. (1 independent; 2 subordinate)

• In this sentence, the independent clause is ‘the busybody understands’, and the relative clause ‘who lives next door’ adds information about ‘the busybody’, and the noun clause is ‘that the bronze statues have been draped in towels’.

3. The donkey’s stance, which can be seen through the front window, will haunt you this day though you have left your shudders closed. (1 independent; 2 subordinate)

• In this sentence, the independent clause is ‘the donkey’s stance will haunt you this day’, and the relative clause ‘which can be seen through the front window’ adds information about ‘the donkey’s stance’, and the adverb clause ‘though you have left your shudders closed’ adds information about ‘haunt’ (why haunt you this day).

4. The poem begins when the poet stops, when the poet gets out of the way. (1 independent; 2 subordinate)

• In this sentence, the independent clause is ‘the poem begins’, the adverb clauses are ‘when the poet stops’, and ‘when the poet gets out of the way’.

5. So that the speakers could still be heard from the steeple that graced our roof, we turned the knobs clockwise. (1 independent; 2 subordinate)

• In this sentence, the independent clause is ‘we turned the knobs clockwise’, the relative clause is ‘that graced our roof’ adds information about ‘the steeple’ and the adverb clause ‘so that the speakers could still be heard from the steeple’ adds information about ‘turned the knobs clockwise’.

6 Complex Vs. Compound Sentences

Before concluded our study of complex sentences, let’s see how the complex sentence compares with the compound sentence.

• Compound sentence: The parade is turning into our street, for the other streets have been barricaded.
• complex sentence: The parade is turning into our street because the other streets have been barricaded.

By studying these two examples, we note two differences: the comma and the conjunction. While complex sentences (those containing adverb clauses) are created with subordinating conjunctions (although, because, when, etc). Compound sentences are created with coordinating conjunctions (_for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Stated this way, the difference between compound sentences and complex sentences seems light. And yet, they are treated as two different sentence categories. So that, really, is the difference between them?

Here is the difference: Subordinating conjunctions attach to the right-hand sentence; coordinating conjunctions do not.

Let’s look at our two examples once again, except that this time we’ll group the key components using bracket.

• Compound sentence: 1{The parade is turning into our street}, 2{for} 3{the other streets have been barricaded}.
• Complex sentence: 1{The parade is turning into our street} 2{because the other streets have been barricaded}.

The compound sentence consists of three components: (1) an independent clause, (2) a coordinating conjunction, and (3) a second independent clause. In other words, the coordinating conjunction for sits between the two clauses, independently and aloof.

The complex sentence consists of two components: (1) an independent clause (2) a subordinate (adverbial) clause. Here, the subordinating conjunction attaches itself to the subordinate clause.

In summary, it pays to understand the types of conjunctions and to be familiar with the conjunction groups that create which sentence types. Much of the work of distinguishing between simple, compound, and complex sentences can be boiled down to understanding the work being done by the conjunctions.

6.1 Exercises

Part 1: from Compound to Complex

In numbers 1-3, convert the compound sentences to complex sentences. To do this, replace the comma + coordinating conjunction (marked with small caps) with a subordinating conjunction chosen from this list:

• after, although, as, because, before, even if, if, since, so that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, wherever, while.

1. The treasure could not be found, FOR the map had been drawn by a mad sea-captain.

• The treasure could not be found because the map had been drawn by a mad sea-captain.

2. We would hold our candles aloft in the rain, AND John Brown could see justice after all.

• We would hold our candles aloft in the rain so that John Brown could see justice after all.

3. They had been completely surrounded by cowboys, SO the sparkling noise of horses sounded in their ears.

• They had been completely surrounded by cowboys while the sparkling noise of horses sounded in their ears.

Part 2: from Complex to Compound

This time we’ll convert complex sentences to compound sentences. In numbers 4-6, replace the subordinating conjunction (marked with small caps) with a comma + coordinating conjunction chosen from this list: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

1. The swift runners had begun WHILE the slow runners had gone to sleep.

• The swift runners had begun, but the slow runners had gone to sleep.

2. He had danced down the street’s center THOUGH the snow had continued to fall.

• He had danced down the street’s center, and the snow had continued to fall.

3. You won’t hear the mourners’ song IF you are sobbing.

• You won’t hear the mourners’ song, so you are sobbing.

7 Compound-Complex Sentences

To qualify as a compound-complex sentence, a sentence must have at least three clauses, two of them independent and one of them subordinate.

Let’s assemble a compound-complex sentence. We’ll begin with our three clauses:

• he bid farewell to his loved ones
• the knight set out on an adventure
• re remained loyal to the queen

Now we’ll turn our first clause into a subordinate clause by adding the subordinating conjunction after to the front of it. We’ll join the other two clauses with the coordinating but, giving us a compound-complex sentence that looks like this:

• compound-complex sentence: After he bid farewell to his loved ones, the knight set out on an adventure, but he remained loyal to the queen.

The simplest way to approach compound-complex sentences is to begin with a compound sentence and to add a subordinate clause to that compound sentence.

A compound sentence is two independent clauses joined together.

• independent clause [ ] independent clause

Once we’ve established our compound sentence, we’ll need to insert a subordinate clause. Here are four slots where subordinate clauses can be inserted:

• 1 independent clause 2 [ ] 3 independent clause 4

The first requirement of a compound-complex sentence is the existence of three clauses. The second requirement is a way to join (or coordinate) the two independent clauses. In other words, in the formula independent clause [ ] independent clause, what goes inside the brackets?

Answer: The space inside the brackets can be filled by a coordinating conjunction, a conjunction adverb, a semicolon, or a colon. Because we have so much new material to cover, let’s limit our options here to one of the seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Then, for our subordinate clause-whether it be an adverbial, a relative, or a noun clause-we will need a head- or a clause-marking word to serve as the first word of the clause.

• If our clause is an adverb clause, we’ll need a subordinating conjunction: after, although, as, because, before, even if, if, since, so that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, wherever, while.
• If our clause is an adjective (relative) clause, we’ll need a relative pronoun: who, that, which
• If our clause is a noun phrase, we’ll need a noun-clause marker: that, if, whether, how, what, when, where, whom, why, however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever.

Now let’s bring all this together. Begin by studying the following:

• 1 independent clause 2 [ ] 3 independent clause 4
• 1 the knight set out on an adventure 2 ; 3 but he remained loyal to the queen.

The example above is a compound sentence consisting of two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction but. To convert our compound sentence to a compound-complex sentence, we decide to place an adverbial subordinate clause in slot 1:

• {After he bid farewell to his loved ones}, {the knight set out on an adventure}; but {he remained loyal to the queen}.

This compound-complex sentence consists of an adverbial subordinate clause sitting to the left (slot 1) of a compound sentence. Note that the three clauses are bracketed; note also the important role being played by the conjunctions after and but.

Let’s try another one. We begin with a compound sentence (two clauses joined by for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so):

• 1 {The hotel kept one pet} 2, yet {the guests would have been happy with a kitten} 4.

We decide to add a subordinate clause-this time a relative clause- to slot 2:

• {The hotel kept one pet}, {which happened to be a racehorse}; yet {the guests would have been happy with a kitten}.

Here, note that the relative pronoun which is part of the clause it appears in.

In summary, compound-complex sentences can be created with five ingredients:

• clause 1
• clause 2
• clause 3
• for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so to make the sentence compound.
• a creator of subordinate clauses: a subordinating conjunction, a relative pronoun, or a noun-clause marker.

7.1 Exercises

In this Your Turn you’ll do some composing. You are given four of the five ingredients found in the bulleted list above. The only thing lacking is one of the three clauses, which you will compose yourself.

Wherever you see the word clause, create a word group (it must contain a subject and verb) to insert into that position. Read your finished products out loud to see how your creations sound. 1. [Judy is sleeping confidently], AND AS [CLAUSE], [the sun is in no hurry to rise].

• Rewrite: Judy is sleeping confidently, and as the weather is winter, the sun is in no hurry to rise.

2. [CLAUSE], AND she asks everyone to sit down SO THAT she can boast about the special things her children have done.

• Everyone has come in, and she asks everyone to sit down so that she can boast about the special things her children have done.

3. [The mayor, [WHO CLAUSE], refuses to answer my question], SO [I stick my head in the sand].

• The mayor, who is very confident, refuses to answer my question, so I stick my head in the sand.

The subject of your relative clause is who, which appears inside an independent clause.

5. AS [we face each other across the table], [we wonder about our long-ago trip to Connecticut]; FOR [CLAUSE].

• As we face each other across the table, we wonder about our long-ago trip to Connecticut; for my family can meet our son.

The conjunction for means because.

6. [His notebook and pencil were ready], BUT [the crowd seemed too large and too frenzied] AS [CLAUSE].

• His notebook and pencil were ready, but the crowd seemed too large and too frenzied, as they could not let him finish his test.

8 Test Questions

The Test Questions section contains thirty-six complex sentences, each containing one subordinate clause. Your task is to identify the subordinate clause in each of the sentences and to label that clause as either an adverb clause, a relative clause, or a noun clause.

Two of the word lists below—subordinating conjunctions and noun-clause markers—contain fewer members than the lists you’ve been seeing throughout this e-book. These word lists contain just the words that are used in the test questions below.

Pay close attention to the word that. In the sentences that follow, that will be used at times as a relative pronoun and at times as a noun-clause marker. The difference between the two is discussed in Lesson 20.

• subordinating conjunctions (used to begin adverbial subordinate clauses): although, as, because, before, if, since, so that, though, till, until, when, while
• relative pronouns (used to begin relative clauses): who, that, which
• noun-clause markers (used to begin noun clauses): how, that, what, whatever, whether

The question for each sentence is the same: The subordinate clause consists of which words? What kind of clause is it: adverb, relative, or noun?

1. Although I did not understand a word they were saying, their sound surrounded me.

• subordinate clause: ‘although I did not understand a word they were saying’, adverb.

2. As I run to Kim’s market, I thank my husband for his sacrifice.

• ‘As I run to Kim’s market’, adverb

3. Before you’ve had time to continue with your enthralling life story, they’re telling you their life story.

• ‘Before you’ve had time to continue with your enthralling life story’, adverb

4. Emily cursed the weasels that stole her chickens.

• ‘that stole her chickens’, relative clause - adjective

5. Her fair hand, which might bid heat return to a frozen age, trembles and swells once again.

• ‘which might bid heat return to a frozen age’ - relative clause

6. His soft hand is placed over the mouth of the crier before it has time to gather the force of a cry.

• ‘before it has time to gather the force of a cry’, adverb clause

7. I dined alone at a table with one rose vase as the mist advanced its coolly silvered drift of gray.

• ‘as the mist advanced its coolly silvered drift of gray’ adverb

8. I know the poems much better than the man because I’m willing to be honestly confused and honestly fearful.

• ‘because I’m willing to be honestly confused and honestly fearful’, adverb

9. I’ll tell of the things I’ve done when I am strong and able to bear arms.

• ‘when I am strong and able to bear arms’, adverb

10. If there is something unsoft in the city, God puts a soft stop to it.

• ‘If there is something unsoft in the city’, adverb

11. Life extends to the naked salty shore, which crumbles evermore.

• ‘which crumbles evermore’, relative clause

12. Since I had kept the trust and had loved the lady, the knight withheld his giant sword and let me go.

• ‘Since I had kept the trust and had loved the lady’, relative clause

13. The angry years feel that the flowers exist for us to fall in to.

• ‘that the flowers exist for us to fall in to’, relative clause, cannot pass something test.

14. The careless men who have taken to railroading have traveled off in search of salvation.

• ‘who have taken to railroading’, relative clause

15. The caves echoed back to the writer who entered and never quite emerged.

• ‘who entered and never quite emerge’, relative clause

16. The crumbling wall was made by the women who wear keys at their waists.

• ‘who wear keys at their waists’, relative clause

17. The dinosaurs, who crawled like breathing lava from the earth’s cracked crust, swung their tiny heads above their lumbering tons of flesh.

• ‘who crawled like breathing lava from the earth’s cracked crust’, relative clause

18. The empty basket of the child will float abandoned in the seaweed until the work of water unravels it in filaments of straw.

• ‘until the work of water unravels it in filaments of straw’, adverb

19. The house dog understands what life was like in younger and stronger times.

• ‘what life was life in younger and stronger times’, relative clause

20. The murmuring city desires that we three walk across this bridge.

• ‘that we three walk across this bridge’, noun clause

21. The others rang the bells till the sound filled up the garden.

• ‘till the sound filled up the garden’, adverb clause

22. The planet that turns with them is always faithful.

• ‘that turns with them’, relative clause

23. The soup-supper, which in the easy half-yellow light of autumn looked oddly beckoning, sat waiting on the oaken table.

• ‘which in the easy half-yellow light of autumn looked oddly beckoning’, relative clause

24. The speakers of French suddenly remember how crows are like small black rivers.

• ‘how crows are like small black river’, noun clause

25. The statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe is placed below the altar stairs so that Pilar can kneel before her and pray straight into her face.

• ‘so that Pilar can kneel before her and pray straight into her face’, adverb clause

26. The youths in Union Square wonder whether fire or flowers grow crimson petals.

• ‘whether fire or flowers grow crimson petals’, noun clause.

27. They swim among the peaks of mountains while the old nightmares of earth settle into silt.

• ‘while the old nightmares of earth settle into silt’, adverb clause.

28. Those fleas that escaped earth and fire died by the cold.

• ‘that escaped earth and fire’, relative clause

29. Those of us here will accept whatever it is that cannot be put down.

• ‘whatever it is that cannot be put down’, noun clause

30. Though it is brightened by the last chapter of late autumn, the light returns somewhat pale.

• ‘Though it is brightened by the last chapter of late autumn’, adverb clause

31. Today I notice them and turn away though at one time they were my joy.

• ‘though at one time they were my joy’, adverb clause

32. Today my son realized that in the meadows at the edge of the woods are the trees of white flowers.

• ‘that in the meadows at the edge of the woods are the trees of white flowers’, noun clause

33. When the tide turns, the water will fall by the ton.

• ‘when the tide turns’, adverb clause

34. While the wrecks accumulate, our disbelief is suspended.

• ‘while the wrecks accumulate’, adverb clause

35. Years of anger follow the hours that float idly down.

• ‘that float idly down’, relative clause

36. You should stay home if you can bring nothing to this place but your own body.

• ‘if you can bring nothing to this place but your own body’, adverb clause

CONGRATULATIONS!!