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CHAPTER 9 - FINITE VERB CLAUSES

Exercise 9.1

The paragraph can be revised in a number of ways. Here is one way:

After Josephina had finished her homework, she logged on to the computer in her
bedroom. She tapped out an e-mail message to Maria. While she stared at the screen, she
toyed with her earing, and then she filed her nails. Although Maria had moved from
Pomona to Reno only two days ago, Josephina missed Maria because they had been best
friends and constant companions since childhood.

Exercise 9.2

1. Sally had hardly any more money = independent clause [past + have]

2. It has begun to rain again = independent clause [present + HAVE + {-en} + begin]
I will stay home this afternoon = independent clause [present + MODAL + stay]

3. Barbara forgot the sugar = independent clause [past + forget]

when she served tea to her guests = dependent (subordinate) clause [past + serve]

4. Carol was already back from her vacation = independent clause [past + be]
By the time Ned received her postcard = dependent (subordinate) clause [past + receive]

5. we should leave now = independent clause [present + MODAL + leave]

If you want to be on time for the concert = dependent (subordinate) clause [present +
want]
To be on time is not a finite verb clause; there is no tense marker.

6. we might buy him an ice cream cone = independent clause [present + MODAL + buy]
When Joey finishes his spinach = dependent (subordinate) clause [present + finish]

7. Fred can never remember [something] after a Laker’s game = independent clause
[present + MODAL + remember]
where he has put his car = dependent (subordinate) clause [present + HAVE + {-en} + put]

8. The train carrying the out-of-town newspapers arrives = independent clause [present +
arrive]
the delivery person drops a paper off at our house = independent clause [present + drop off]
after we leave for work = dependent (subordinate) clause [present + leave]
The train carrying the out-of-town newspapers is not a finite verb clause; there is no tense
marker.

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Exercise 9.3

1. Simple sentence: It contains only one clause

2. Compound sentence: It contains two independent clauses.

3. Complex sentence

4. Complex sentence

5. Complex sentence

6. Complex sentence

7. Complex sentence

8. Compound-complex sentence

Exercise 9.4

1. Because not enough people have signed up for the bus to the homecoming game, people
will have to get there on their own.

2. Unless you close the windows, mosquitoes will come into the house.

3. Even though Sara had practiced her speech repeatedly, she forgot its conclusion.

4. After we had finally fallen asleep, the hotel fire alarm sounded.

5. As soon as Dale spread out an elaborate picnic, it suddenly began to rain.

6. Betty took extra traveler’s checks with her so that she wouldn’t run out of money on her
vacation.

7. You may not pass your geology exam unless you find time to go over your lecture notes.

8. Although Jim had filled his gas tank before he started across the desert, his tank was almost
empty when he stopped for the night.

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Exercise 9.5

1. Test 1: Clauses can be reversed. Whenever we have a hard frost, we lose a few of our citrus
trees.
Test 2: Question can be formed using a wh-adverb: When do we lose a few of our citrus
trees? [The answer is Whenever we have a hard frost.]
Test 3: A single adverb can substitute for the clause: We lose a few of our citrus trees then.
Test 4. Fits the frame: We lose a few of our citrus trees [complete sentence] whenever we
have a hard frost.
Whenever we have a hard frost is an adverbial clause.

2. Test 1: Clauses can be reversed. Just before they went on sale, Carl bought a new computer.
Test 2: Question can be formed using a wh-adverb: When did Carl buy a new computer?
[The answer is Just before they went on sale.]
Test 3: A single adverb can substitute for the clause: Carl bought a new computer then.
Test 4. Fits the frame: Carl bought a new computer [complete sentence] just before they
went on sale.
Just before they went on sale is an adverbial clause.

3. Test 1: Clauses can be reversed: Harry expects to go to graduate school although he is

failing all his classes this semester.
Test 2: Question cannot be formed using a wh-adverb (why/where/when/how).
Test 3: A single adverb can substitute for the clause: Harry expects to go to graduate school
anyway.
Test 4. Fits the frame: Harry expects to go to graduate school [complete sentence] although
he is failing all his classes this semester.
Even though it fails one test, although he is failing all his classes this semester is an
adverbial clause.

4. Test 1: Clauses can be reversed. Even though he had never been on ice skates, Marty signed
up for the hockey team.
Test 2: Question cannot be formed using a wh-adverb (why/where/when/how).
Test 3: A single adverb can substitute for the clause: Marty signed up for the hockey team,
anyway.
Test 4. Fits the frame: Marty signed up for the hockey team even though he had never been
on ice skates.
Even though it fails one of the tests, Even though he had never been on ice skates is an
adverbial clause.

5. Test 1: Clauses cannot be reversed: *Who was standing in line, the stranger offered his extra
concert ticket to one of the people.
Test 2: Question cannot be formed using a wh-adverb (why/where/when/how).
Test 3: A single adverb cannot substitute for the clause.
Test 4. Fits the frame? The clause occurs in final position but not as an adverbial modifier.
Not an adverbial clause.
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6. Test 1: Clauses cannot be reversed. *But Caroline was most attracted by the clothes that
were not marked down, Nordstrom’s was holding its semiannual clothing sale.
Test 2: Question cannot be formed using a wh-adverb (why/where/when/how).
Test 3: A single adverb cannot substitute for the clause.
Test 4. Fits the frame? Occurs in final position but not as an adverbial modifier.
Not an adverbial clause.

7. Test 1: Clauses cannot be reversed. *That were not marked down, Nordstrom’s was holding
its semiannual clothing sale, but Caroline was most attracted by the clothes.
Test 2: Question cannot be formed using a wh-adverb (why/where/when/how).
Test 3: A single adverb cannot substitute for the clause.
Test 4. Fits the frame? Occurs in final position but not as an adverbial modifier.
Not an adverbial clause.

8. Test 1: Clauses cannot be reversed? ?That traffic had not moved for 35 minutes the
drivers at the end of the long line of cars didn’t know.
Test 2: Question cannot be formed using a wh-adverb (why/where/when/how).
Test 3: A single adverb cannot substitute for the clause.
Test 4. Fits the frame? Occurs in final position but not as an adverbial modifier.
Not an adverbial clause.

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Exercise 9.6

SV

1. NP1 VP

MVP ADVP
NP2

SUB SI
MVtr CONJ

NP VP

MVP ADVP

MVintr

Jerry opened the front door [before he looked into the mailbox].

Jerry opened door

fro
the

nt
be
for
e

he looked
int
o
mailbox
the

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SI

2. NP VP

MVP ADVP ADVP

ADVP

SUB Sv
MVint
CONJ
NP1
VP

MVP NP2

MVtr

Grandfather naps sometimes in the afternoon [after he eats a big meal].

Grandfather naps
so
aft me in
er tim
es afternoon
the

he eats meal

big
a

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SIII

3. NP1
VP

ADJ ADVP
MVP

SUB S1
MVlink CONJ
NP VP

MVP

MVint

His wife felt rather sheepish [after Jon complained].

wife felt sheepish

Hi

rat
s

he

aft
er
r

Jon complained

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SI

VP
4. NP1

ADVP
MVP ADVP

SV
SUB
CONJ
MVint VP
NP1

MVP
NP2 ADVP

MVtr

Chris hurried through dinner [until Mollie scolded him quietly].

Chris hurried
thr
ou
gh
un
til

dinner

Mollie scolded him

qu
iet
ly

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Exercise 9.7

1. In Alsace you can see remnants of the Maginot Line, which the French built hoping to
stop any German invasion.
The French built the Maginot Line, which you can see remnants of in Alsace, hoping to
stop any German invasion.

2. The Musée d’Orsay in Paris is in a former railway station that has been thoroughly
refurbished.
The former railway station that the Musee d’Orsay in Paris is in has been thoroughly
refurbished.

3. Bonnie, who didn’t think she liked mussels, loved Parisian mussels served in a tomato
and garlic sauce.
Bonnie, who loved Parisian mussels served in a tomato and garlic sauce, didn’t think she
liked mussels.

4. The English like to visit the Riviera, which is warmer and sunnier than England.
The Riviera, which the English like to visit, is warmer and sunnier than England.

5. Most tourists visit the Louvre, which contains three of the major artworks in the world.
The Louvre, which most tourists visit, contains three of the major artworks in the world.

6. Peggy took Lucille, who had never visited a French garden before, to visit the
Luxemburg Gardens.
Lucille, whom Peggy took to visit the Luxemburg Gardens, had never visited a French
garden before.

7. Jan, who likes to travel on European trains, bought a Eurail pass last summer.
Jan, who bought a Eurail pass last summer, likes to travel on European trains.

8. The English Channel Tunnel runs from Calais, which is on the northern coast of France,
to Folkestone, which is on the southern coast of England

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Exercise 9.8

SV

1. NP1 VP

MVP NP2
ADVP

MVtr NP ADJP

SV

NP1 VP

MVP NP2 ADVP

MVtr

Mimi brings a dessert [a dessert can cause severe indigestion for us] sometimes.
(that)

Mimi brings dessert

so a
me
tim
es

that can cause indigestion

sev
for

ere
us

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SV

2. NP1 VP

MVP NP2 ADVP

SUB SV
CONJ
MVTR
NP1 VP

MVP NP2

MVtr

we will open the door [If someone finds the set of house keys].

we will open door

the
If

someone finds set

the

of

keys
ho
us
e

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SV

3. NP1 VP

MVP NP2
ADVP
NP ADJP
MVtr
SI

NP VP

MVP ADVP

MVint PREPP

PREP NP

Jeff could see the float [the king rode on the float] barely

(which)

Jeff could see float

ba

the
rel
y

king rode
the on
which

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SV

NP1 VP
4.
NP ADJP MVP NP2

S1

MVtr
NP VP

MVP ADVP

MVint

A student [the student sat in the front] brought a tiny cassette recorder.

(who)

student brought recorder

tin ca
y sse
a

tte
A

who sat

in
front

the

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SV

VP
NP1

5. ADVP
MVP
NP2
PREPP

MVtr PREP
NP

NP ADJP

SI

NP VP

ADVP
MVP ADVP

PREPP
MVint

PREP NP

Karen brings chocolate candy for the family [she stays in the family’s house often].

(whose)

Karen brings candy

cho
col
ate
for

family
the

she stays
oft

in
en

house
wh
os
e

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Exercise 9.9

1. when = the year [The dollar began its spectacular rise that year.]

2. that = restrictions [Restrictions had been imposed early last month.]

3. that = an action [The action puts more cash into the banking system.]

4. where = Toronto [Pope John Paul II was scheduled to appear in Toronto on Sunday.]

5. that = food [Food has been genetically modified.]

6. that = a museum show [The show included only paintings done in the twenty-first
century.]

7. who = a hacker [The hacker uses something called Web Scripting.]

8. which = El Niño [El Niño is a disruptive weather pattern originating in abnormally warm
waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean.]

Exercise 9.10

1. War Emblem, who won the Kentucky Derby, was purchased just three weeks before the
Derby was run.
Who won the Kentucky Derby = a nonrestrictive relative (adjectival) clause modifying
War Emblem; the proper name War Emblem already identifies the horse; set off with
commas.

2. Today a spa is a place where you can get a manicure, a facial, or a body massage.
Where you can get a manicure, a facial, or a body massage = a restrictive relative
(adjectival) clause modifying a place, no comma. Where could be deleted.

3. Forty-two percent of American e-mail users check their e-mail when they are on vacation.
When they are on vacation = an adverbial dependent (subordinate) clause telling when; no
comma.

4. An “Easter Egg” can be a secret message that pops up after a series of actions in a
computer program.
That pops up after a series of actions in a computer program = restrictive relative
(adjectival) clause modifying a secret message; no comma.

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5. I try always to put my keys where I can easily find them.

Where I can easily find them = an adverbial dependent (subordinate) clause telling
where; no comma.

6. “Brandy” is a perfume that was named after a New York City carriage horse.
That was named after a New York City carriage horse = restrictive relative (adjectival)
clause modifying a perfume; no comma.

7. Drugstores in the United States expect a boost from an aging population that will take
more medicines when its members reach their sixties and seventies.
That will take more medicines when its members reach their sixties and seventies =
restrictive relative (adjectival) clause modifying an aging population; no comma.
When they reach their sixties and seventies = an adverbial dependent (subordinate)
clause telling when they will take more medicines.

8. Mario’s coffee bar, which is normally open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, finally
closed at the time when all electricity in the city was out for two days.
Which is normally open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year = a nonrestrictive relative
(adjectival) clause modifying Mario’s coffee bar, a proper name; set off with commas.
When all electricity in the city was out for two days = a restrictive relative (adjectival)
clause modifying time; no comma.

REVIEW EXERCISES

Distinguishing Between Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

1. Compound sentence: two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, so.

2. Simple sentence: there is only one finite verb, squabble.

3. Complex sentence: an independent clause (Elizabeth II became Queen of England) and a

subordinate clause (when her father died).

4. Complex sentence: an independent clause (We’ll not plan a picnic) and a subordinate
clause (if it rains).

5. Simple sentence: there is only one finite verb, wrote.

6. Complex sentence: an independent clause (What will they do about the library book)
a relative clause modifying book (that you lost).

7. Complex sentence: an independent clause (students will receive . . .) and a dependent

clause joined by a subordinating conjunction (After the resolution passes).

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8. Compound-Complex: two independent clauses (I stayed home. . . . and he didn’t come)

and a dependent subordinate clause (until we had sat down . . . ).

Identifying Dependent Clauses

1. That decreases automotive emissions = relative (adjectival) clause modifying a renewable

fuel.

2. Whose recent movie Hollywood Ending was his 32nd film = relative (adjectival) clause
modifying Woody Allen.
When the movie premiered = adverbial subordinate clause. Passes all four tests.

3. When the New Economy fizzled out in 2000 = adverbial subordinate clause. Passes all
four tests.

4. Although Pete claims his python is well behaved = adverbial subordinate clause. Passes
tests 1 and 4.
When it curls around my neck = adverbial subordinate clause. Passes all four tests.

5. Who live in Ann Arbor = relative (adjectival) clause modifying parents.

Whenever she travels to Detroit = adverbial subordinate clause. Passes all four tests.

6. Because the ballot measure failed = adverbial subordinate clause. Passes all four tests.
that will replace the one that burned down = relative (adjectival) clause modifying a new
library.
that burned down = relative (adjectival) clause modifying the one.

7. Even though he passed the final exam = adverbial subordinate clause. Passes test 1 and 4
only.
Why James Joyce moved to Paris = relative (adjectival) clause, modifying reasons.

8. I sent him = relative (adjectival) clause modifying letter; the relative pronoun has been
deleted.

Restrictive/Nonrestrictive Relative Clauses

1. My father always liked to show people the house where he was born.
where he was born = restrictive relative (identifies which house)

2. The e-mail that Kelly hates is called spam, which is unsolicited junk mail.
that Kelley hates = restrictive relative (identifies which email)
which is unsolicited junk mail = nonrestrictive relative (gives information about spam)

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3. This software gets rid of the pop-up ads that appear when an Internet Web page opens.
that appear while an Internet Web page opens = restrictive relative (identifies which ads)

4. My Aunt Tessie, whom you have never met, has promised to leave me her 1979 Camaro
when she dies.
whom you have never met = nonrestrictive relative (gives information about Aunt Tillie)

5. Cell phones are great for people who travel or for people who drive alone at night.
who travel = restrictive relative (identifies which people)
who drive alone at night = restrictive relative (identifies which people)

6. My new shoes, for which I had paid $225, began to hurt my feet while we were walking
across Central Park.
for which I had paid $225 = nonrestrictive relative (gives information about the new
shoes)

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