NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What does an adverb clause modify in a sentence?

1. A subject

2. A noun

3. A verb, adjective, or adverb

4. A direct object

The correct answer is: A verb, adjective, or adverb

An adverb clause modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb in a sentence, which is the main reason this choice is the correct one. This type of clause provides additional information about how, when, where, why, or to what extent something occurs, effectively clarifying the action or quality described by the verb, adjective, or adverb it modifies. For instance, in the sentence "She runs faster than I do when I practice," the adverb clause "when I practice" modifies the verb "runs," indicating the condition under which the action takes place. This demonstrates how adverb clauses enrich sentences by providing context or detail that enhances understanding. Other options do not correctly capture the role of an adverb clause. An adverb clause does not modify a subject directly, nor does it specifically modify a noun or a direct object, which limits its function purely to enhancing the information related to actions, qualities, or manners in sentences. Thus, the choice highlighting its relation to verbs, adjectives, or adverbs is accurate and reflects its grammatical role effectively.