What is the difference between a noun clause and an adjective clause?

A noun clause is the noun. It can be the subject or the object, as in what she said surprised us. An adjective clause describes a noun that is already there, as in the story that she told. If you can take the clause out and the sentence still makes sense, it was not a noun clause.

Why is phrase still one of the answers?

Because the phrases that look like clauses are where eighth graders slip. After the long assembly starts the way an adverb clause does and has no verb. Keeping phrase as a fourth answer makes students check for a subject and verb before they name a job.

Which standard does this cover?

CCSS L.7.1.a asks students to explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and in specific sentences. This page is the eighth grade pass through that standard, with the job named for every dependent clause.

8th grade phrases and clauses

8th grade phrases and clauses worksheets

A dependent clause does one of three jobs. A noun clause takes the place of a noun: I know what you mean. An adjective clause describes a noun: the dog that barked. An adverb clause tells when, why, or under what condition: before the bell rang. Eighth graders name the job, and they tell a clause from a phrase that looks like one.

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The kind of sentences you'll fix

Write what each word group is. Choose from the words in parentheses.

Exhausted by the heat, the runners slowed near the finish line. Which kind is “Exhausted by the heat”: (adjective clause / adverb clause / noun clause / phrase)?
Fixed: Exhausted by the heat, the runners slowed near the finish line. Which kind is “Exhausted by the heat”: phrase?
When the tide goes out, crabs hide under the wet rocks. Which kind is “When the tide goes out”: (adjective clause / adverb clause / noun clause / phrase)?
Volunteers who signed up before Friday received a free T-shirt. Which kind is “who signed up before Friday”: (adjective clause / adverb clause / noun clause / phrase)?

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on an 8th grade sheet

8th grade sheets draw from 52 sentences, 7 to a page. None of these sentences are on 7th grade sheets. 7th grade sheets print 8 to a page.

A few of the sentences:

that the pitchers would tire by June
whose bakery opens at five
so that they would have fresh water

Fix it. Write what each word group is. Choose from the words in parentheses. 7 sentences to fix per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Give each job its own test. If the word something can replace the clause, it is a noun clause. If the clause sits right after a noun and answers which one, it is an adjective clause. If it can move to the front of the sentence and still make sense, it is almost always an adverb clause. The trap is the opening word, because where, when, and that each open more than one kind. Ask students to say which test they used. A student who says it starts with that is guessing; one who says I put something in its place is not.

Watch for: The first word does not settle the job. Where can open a noun clause (we know where the key is), an adjective clause (the room where we met), or an adverb clause (sit where you like). Check what the clause does in its sentence. After, before, since, and until can be prepositions. After the game is a phrase; after the game ended is an adverb clause. Look for the verb. A gerund phrase does a noun's job, but it is still a phrase. In fixing the old bike took all weekend, nobody inside the phrase is doing the fixing, so there is no subject and verb pair.

Common questions about 8th grade phrases and clauses

What is the difference between a noun clause and an adjective clause?: A noun clause is the noun. It can be the subject or the object, as in what she said surprised us. An adjective clause describes a noun that is already there, as in the story that she told. If you can take the clause out and the sentence still makes sense, it was not a noun clause.
Why is phrase still one of the answers?: Because the phrases that look like clauses are where eighth graders slip. After the long assembly starts the way an adverb clause does and has no verb. Keeping phrase as a fourth answer makes students check for a subject and verb before they name a job.
Which standard does this cover?: CCSS L.7.1.a asks students to explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and in specific sentences. This page is the eighth grade pass through that standard, with the job named for every dependent clause.

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Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated September 2026.

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