At substantive subordinate clauses they are types of clauses that play the role of nouns.
Depending on the syntactic function they perform, they are classified into 6 types: subjective, predicative, nominal complement, direct objective, indirect objective, apositive.
To train your knowledge on this topic, check out 25 exercises commented by our experts below.
question 1
(PUC-SP) Check the alternative whose subordinate clause is a predicative noun.
a) Hope you come today.
b) The student who works is good.
c) My wish is that you graduate soon.
d) You are as smart as your father.
e) n.d.a.
Alternative c: My wish is that you graduate soon.
The predicative noun subordinate clause acts as the subject's predicative. It is important to remember that the subject's predicative characterizes or complements the subject and is always accompanied by a connecting verb, in this case, "is (my wish is)".
As for the remaining alternatives:
a) I wait that you come today. (direct objective substantive subordinate clause)
b) The student that works it's good. (restrictive adjective subordinate clause)
d) you are so smart like your father. (comparative adverbial subordinate clause)
question 2
(PUC-SP) "It can be said that the task is purely formal.”
In the text above we have a highlighted prayer that is ________ and an "if" that is. ________.
a) direct objective noun, passive particle
b) predicative noun, subject indeterminacy index
c) relative, reflexive pronoun
d) subjective noun, passive particle
e) consecutive adverbial, subject indeterminacy index
Alternative d: subjective noun, passive particle.
The highlighted clause is classified as a subjective substantive subordinate because it plays the role of subject of the main clause "It can be said".
The "if" particle has the function of an passivating particle. Note that "if" is accompanying a direct transitive verb (power), and to be an index of indeterminacy of the subject the "if" must accompany an intransitive verb, an indirect transitive verb or a verb of Link.
question 3
(UEMG)
“Suddenly the day of my seventies arrived.
I was between surprised and amused, seventy, me? But everything seems to have been yesterday! In the century when most people want to be twenty (thirty we can still manage), I was turning seventy. Worse: doubting it, because I could still hear the laughter of the girl who wanted to run on the patio's slabs when it rained, that she fished lambari with her father in the pond, that she cried in a Gordo e Magro movie, when her mother took her to the matinee. (I cried aloud with pity for both of them, the mother was furious.)
The girl who took punishment at school because she laughed out of time, because she got distracted looking at the sky and clouds through the window instead of paying attention, because slowly I pushed the pencil case to the edge of the table, and let it fall with a crash knowing that the boys, more than the girls would go down on all fours picking up pencils, pens, erasers – the tedious rules of order and quiet would be broken once more.
Asking crazy questions all the time, she annoyed the teachers and amused the class: just because she didn't want to be different, she wanted to be loved, she wanted to be natural, she didn't want them to know that she, twelve years old, in addition to comic books and sugary soap operas, read Greek theater – without understanding – and thought exciting.
(And even from her future boyfriend, at age fifteen, she would hide it.)
My birthday: I first thought of a big celebration, I'm averse to partying and I like very small groups. But I thought, seventy is worth it! After all, it's been a long time! I soon realized that today seventy is almost banal, many people in their eighties are still active and present.
I just decided to gather children and closest friends (a difficult task, to choose), and leave that party for another decade.”
LUFT, 2014, p.104-105
Carefully read the prayer highlighted in the following period:
“(...) because I could still hear the girl's laughter who wanted to run on the patio slabs (...)”
Check the alternative where the clause in bold and underlined has the same syntactic classification as highlighted above.
a) “The girl who was punished at school because she laughed out of time (...)”
b) “(...) and let it fall with a crash knowing that the boys, more than girls, would get on all fours picking up pencils, pens, erasers (...)”
c) “(...) I didn't want that they knew that she (...)"
d) "I soon realized that seventy is almost banal today (...)"
Alternative to: "The girl who was punished at school because she laughed out of time (...)”
The two clauses are classified as adjectival restrictive subordinate clause. This is because both exercise the function of adjective of the antecedent term - "girl" and delimit its meaning, that is, it is not just any girl, but the one who wanted to run on the slabs and the one who is punished.
In the first sentence, "who wanted to run", could be replaced by the adjective "runner". In the second sentence, "who took punishment", could be replaced by the adjective "punished".
question 4
(FCE-SP) "Men always forget that we are all mortal." The highlighted prayer is:
a) noun noun complement
b) indirect objective noun
c) predicative noun
d) direct objective noun
e) subjective noun
Alternative b: indirect objective noun.
The clause is classified as an indirect objective noun subordinate clause, because in addition to playing the role of a noun, it also plays the role of an indirect object (What do men forget? "That we are all mortal" - pay attention to the preposition "of").
question 5
(PUC-SP) Regarding the excerpt "... and in the end declared me that I was afraid you'd forget me", the highlighted prayers are, respectively:
a) indirect objective substantive subordinate, direct objective substantive subordinate
b) predicative substantive subordinate, direct objective substantive subordinate
c) direct objective substantive subordinate, nominal completive substantive subordinate
d) direct objective substantive subordinate, indirect objective substantive subordinate
e) subjective substantive subordinate, predicative substantive subordinate
Alternative c: direct objective noun subordinate, nominal completive noun subordinate.
The sentence "I was afraid" is classified as a direct objective substantive subordinate clause because it completes the meaning of the main clause "and in the end he declared me", after all who declares, declares something.
The clause "that you forgot me" is classified as a subordinate clause noun noun complement because it has nominal complement value. She completes the main clause by making sense of the name, which in this case is "fear". Note that nominal complements are always introduced by preposition.
question 6
(PUC-SP) In "I finally considered what is love like..." the highlighted prayer has, in relation to the non-highlighted prayer:
a) adjective value and syntactic predicative function of the subject.
b) adverb value and adverbial mode adjunct syntactic function.
c) noun value and direct object syntactic function.
d) noun value and subject syntactic function.
e) adjective value and adjunct adjunct syntactic function.
Alternative c: noun value and direct object syntactic function.
There are three types of subordinate clauses - nouns, adjectives and adverbials - each named for its function.
In this case, we have a subordinate clause noun because "that is how love is" has the role of noun. This clause is classified as a direct objective because it completes the meaning of the main clause "I considered" and whoever considers, considers something.
question 7
(UFV-MG) Subordinate substantive clauses that appear in the periods below are all subjective, except:
a) It was decided that oil would rise in price.
b) It is very good that man, from time to time, reflects on his life.
c) Do you know how much my watch cost?
d) The director was asked when we would be received.
e) It would be good if you were present at the meeting.
Alternative c: You don't know how much my watch cost?
The subjective substantive subordinate clause plays the role of subject of the main clause.
In the case of alternative c) the subject can be recognized in the main clause through the ending verbal of the verb "ignores", that is, the "s" at the end indicates that it is the 2nd person singular, tu you ignore.
question 8
(UEL-PR) "No one else believed that there were still ways to save him."
There are, in the period above:
a) three subordinate clauses.
b) a main and a subordinate clause.
c) a reduced subordinate clause.
d) a subjective subordinate clause.
c) an indirect objective subordinate clause.
Alternative b: a main clause and a subordinate clause.
Subordinate clauses syntactically depend on each other. In the above prayer, we have a period consisting of a main clause "No one believed anymore" and a subordinate clause "That there was still a way to save him."
This subordinate clause is classified as an indirect objective noun, because in addition to playing a role of noun, it also performs the function of indirect object, which is to complete the sense of the verb (I believed in what? That there were still ways to save him.).
question 9
(FCMSC-SP) The word "if" is an integral subordinate conjunction (introducing a direct objective noun subordinate clause) in which of the following clauses?
a) He was jealous of his boss.
b) The Federation assumes the right to cancel the game.
c) The student posed as a doctor.
d) Masons needed.
e) I don't know if the wine is good.
Alternative e: I don't know if the wine is good.
The sentence "if the wine is good" is classified as a direct objective noun subordinate because in addition to play the role of a noun, it also plays the role of a direct object, which is to complete the sense of the verb (No I know what? If the wine is good).
As for the "if" particle in the remaining alternatives:
to him if he was jealous of his boss. (stylistic enhancement)
b) The Federation arrogatesif the right to cancel the game. (passive particle)
c) The student did-if pass for doctor. (passive particle)
d) Need-if of masons. (indeterminant of the subject)
question 10
(PUC-SP) In the excerpts "... it's not impossible what the news of the death would leave me some tranquility, relief and a minute or two of pleasure" and "I tell you what the tears were real". The word "that" is introducing, respectively, sentences:
a) subjective substantive subordinate, direct objective substantive subordinate
b) direct objective substantive subordinate, direct objective substantive subordinate
c) subjective substantive subordinate, subjective substantive subordinate
d) subordinate noun completive noun, subordinate explanatory adjective
e) subordinate explanatory adjective, subordinate predicative noun
Alternative to: subjective noun subordinate, direct objective noun subordinate.
The prayer "... that the news..." is classified as a subjective substantive subordinate clause because it plays the role of subject of the main clause "it is not impossible".
The prayer "that the tears were true" is classified as a direct objective substantive subordinate clause because it completes the meaning of the main clause "I tell you", after all whoever says, says something.
question 11
(PUC-SP) Mark the period in which the highlighted clause is an apositive noun.
a) They didn't tell me where did you live.
b) the street where do you live it's very busy.
c) I'm only interested in knowing one thing: where do you live.
d) I will live where do you live.
e) n.d.a.
Alternative c: I'm only interested in knowing one thing: where do you live.
The appositional noun subordinate clause acts as an apost. It is important to remember that the bet exemplifies or specifies something, in this case, what the subject wants to know (where you live) is being specified.
question 12
(UFPA) What is the period in which there is a predicative substantive subordinate clause?
a) My wish is that you pass the entrance exams.
b) I am in favor of having it approved.
c) I wish you this: may you be happy.
d) The student who studies is able to overcome the difficulties of the entrance exam.
e) Remember that everything passes in this world.
Alternative to: My wish is that you pass the entrance exams.
The clause is classified as a subordinate predicative noun, because in addition to playing the role of noun, also plays the role of predicative of the subject, which is to attribute a quality to the subject.
question 13
(UFMG) In the phrase "Maria do Carmo was sure that she was about to be a mother", the highlighted prayer is:
a) indirect objective substantive subordinate
b) nominal complementary noun subordinate
c) predicative substantive subordinate
d) conclusive syndetic coordinate
e) explanatory syndetic coordinate
Alternative b: noun noun noun subordinate.
The highlighted clause completes the meaning of a name (certainty), so it is a noun supplemental noun subordinate clause.
question 14
(FGV-SP) The underlined clause works as the subject of the verb of the main clause in:
a) I didn't want let Joseph do the boy no harm.
b) It doesn't matter whether the train smokes or not.
c) The main actions depended on that the members of the group take the initiative.
d) Once upon a time a frog that didn't eat flies.
e) Our hopes were that the vehicle could return in time to go after the bandit.
Alternative b: Doesn't matter whether the train smokes or not.
The remaining prayers have the following function:
a) Direct object. The prayer "that Joseph would do no harm to the boy" is a direct objective substantive subordinate clause.
c) Indirect object. The clause "that the members of the group would take the initiative" is an indirect objective substantive subordinate clause.
d) Adjective. The sentence "that didn't eat flies" is an adjectival subordinate clause.
e) Predicative. The sentence "that the vehicle could return in time to go after the bandit" is a subordinate clause in predicative nouns.
question 15
(PUC-Campinas) The alternative in which a direct objective subordinate clause started with the conjunction SE is:
a) We will only obtain approval if we have correctly submitted the papers.
b) There will be water rationing throughout the country if the drought persists.
c) He spoke as if he were an expert on the subject.
d) If one of them entered, they would all demand to enter as well.
e) I wanted to know from the brothers if anyone had anything against the boy.
Alternative e: I wanted to know from the brothers if anyone had anything against the boy.
The remaining clauses express condition, as is the case of alternatives a), b) and d), which are classified as conditional adverbial subordinate clauses.
Alternative c), in turn, expresses comparison, so it is a subordinate clause adverbial comparative.
question 16
(FEI-SP) "I'm sure that the wisdom of legislators will know how to find ways to carry out such a measure." The highlighted prayer is substantive:
a) indirect objective
b) nominal supplement
c) direct objective
d) subjective
e) positive
Alternative b: nominal complement.
The nominal complement noun subordinate clause has the function of a nominal complement, that is, to complete the sense of a name which, in this case, is the word "safe". So this prayer answers the question "what am I sure of?"
question 17
(FESP) "I remember that he only wore white shirts." The highlighted prayer is:
a) noun noun complement
b) indirect objective noun
c) predicative noun
d) subjective noun
e) n.d.a.
Alternative b: indirect objective noun.
The indirect objective noun subordinate clause has the function of an indirect object, that is, to complete the sense of a verb, which, in this case, is "to remember". So this prayer answers the question "I remember what?"
question 18
(UFSCar-SP) Check the option that contains noun noun complement clause.
a) "It was necessary that no one suspected our collusion to arrest Pedro Barqueiro."
b) "Both Pascoal and I were afraid that the boss would bump into Pedro Barqueiro in the streets of the city."
c) "To make a long story short, little boss, we found Pedro Barqueiro at the ranch, which only had three rooms: the living room, his bedroom and the kitchen."
d) "When we arrived, Pedro was in the yard threshing corn, which he had collected in his small farm nearby."
e) "Pascoal gave me a little sign, I went around and went through the back door to grab the Boatman from behind."
Alternative b: "Both Pascoal and I were afraid that the boss would run into Pedro Barqueiro in the city's streets."
The nominal complement noun subordinate clause has a nominal complement function, that is, to complete the sense of a name which, in this case, is the word "fear". So this prayer answers the question "what were we afraid of?"
As for the remaining prayers:
a) Subjective substantive subordinate clause.
c) Subordinate clause explanatory adjective.
d) Restrictive adjective subordinate clause.
e) Coordinated prayers.
question 19
(UEPG-PR) About the period "It is not possible that you do not love, and that, in love, you judge a feeling of such greatness uncomfortable", the statements are correct:
01) The two clauses introduced by the word "that" exercise, in relation to the main one, a substantive subject function.
02) Among the two reduced clauses, one has a causal value.
04) The word "that", in the two subordinate clauses it introduces, is a relative pronoun.
08) The two clauses introduced by the word "that" are related to each other through the coordination process.
16) Among the four constituent clauses, one has the reduced form.
The result is 17, as the correct alternatives are:
01) The two clauses introduced by the word "that" exercise, in relation to the main one, a substantive subject function.
16) Among the four constituent clauses, one has the reduced form.
As for the remaining statements:
02) Among the two reduced clauses, one has a causal value.
There is only a reduced prayer: "and that, in love".
04) The word "that", in the two subordinate clauses it introduces, is a relative pronoun.
The word "that" which introduces subordinate noun clauses is an integral conjunction and not a relative pronoun.
08) The two clauses introduced by the word "that" are related to each other through the coordination process.
Prayers are subordinate and not coordinated.
question 20
(Fatec) Considering as an integral conjunction the one that starts a substantive subordinate clause, indicate in which of the options no "if" has this function:
a) If it went up, nobody knows, nobody saw it.
b) It is said that he hurt himself on purpose.
c) Whether you go or stay is what I would like to know.
d) Could you tell me if he has already gone?
e) n.d.a
Alternative b: It is said that he hurt himself on purpose.
In this case, "if" has the function of the subject's indeterminacy index.
The remaining clauses express condition, as is the case of alternatives a), c) and d), which are classified as conditional adverbial subordinate clauses.
question 21
(UFAM) Check the option in which the period consists of coordination and subordination:
a) Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.
b) The one who screams the most is the one who is least right.
c) They comment that it does not tie or untie.
d) Either you do your duties well or you will be disapproved.
e) As brave as you are, you will have to feel some fear.
Alternative c: Comment that it does not tie or untie.
1st prayer: "Comment" (coordinated prayer).
2nd clause: "that he neither binds nor unties" (subordinate clause).
The remaining alternatives contain only subordinate clauses, since the clauses are related to each other.
question 22
(Mackenzie) Mark the period in which the highlighted clause plays the role of nominal complement.
a) I am sure you will never understand me.
b) I never needed you to defend my interests.
c) From so much screaming, you will end up hoarse.
d) I informed her that I have already made new friends.
e) Remember that with this genius you will be alone.
Alternative to: I am sure you will never understand me.
The clause "that you will never understand me" is classified as a subordinate clause noun noun complement because it has nominal complement value.
It completes the main clause by making sense of the name, which in this case is "right". Remember that nominal complete clauses are always introduced by preposition.
question 23
(UEPG) In "It is possible to communicate about politicians", the second sentence is:
a) subjective substantive subordinate
b) predicative adverbial subordinate
c) predicative substantive subordinate
d) main
e) direct objective substantive subordinate
Alternative to: Subordinate subjective noun.
The sentence "that they communicate about politicians" has the function of subject of the main sentence.
As for the other alternatives:
b) Adverbial subordinate clauses are classified into: causal, consecutive, conditional, concessive, comparative, conformative, final, proportional and temporal.
c) The predicative substantive subordinate clause has the function of the subject's predicative.
d) "It is possible" is the main clause. Its meaning is completed with the second sentence "that they communicate about politicians".
e) The direct objective substantive subordinate clause has the function of direct object.
question 24
(Unama)
milkman's death
There is little milk in the country,
you need to deliver it early.
There is a lot of headquarters in the country,
you need to deliver it early.
There is a subtitle in the country,
that a thief shoots himself.
(People's rose – Carlos Drummond de Andrade)
the subordinate clause of the verse you have to deliver it early establishes the following syntactic relationship:
a) completes the meaning of the verb need.
b) predicates the verb to be.
c) modifies the meaning of the adjective milk, specifying it.
d) is related to the predicate “it is necessary”, in the subject function.
Alternative d: relates to the predicate “it is necessary” in the subject function.
Because it has the subject function, this is a subjective substantive subordinate clause.
question 25
(UFV) Mark the alternative in which the highlighted clause has the syntactic function of a direct object:
a) "It is possible let there be a party."
b) "It was ventilated that he would resign."
c) "Alberico affirmed which were three."
d) "Excites him may everyone be present."
e) "It seems that the flood was catastrophic."
Alternative c: "Alberico affirmed which were three."
This subordinate clause is classified as a direct objective noun, because in addition to playing a role of noun, it also performs the function of a direct object, which is to complete the sense of the verb. what? Which were three).
Keep studying on this topic:
- Subordinate clauses
- Subordinate Substantive Sentences
- Subordinate adjective clauses
- Subordinate adjective clause exercises
- Adverbial subordinate clauses
- Coordinated and subordinate prayers
- Coordinated prayer exercises