Advanced Grammar: Subordinate Clauses as Sentence Members
In advanced English, a whole subordinate clause can function as a sentence member: as a subject, complement, object, or adverbial modifier.
1. Clause as Subject
What puts many drivers off electric cars is that charging infrastructure is still unevenly distributed.
The clause What puts many drivers off electric cars functions as the subject.
2. Clause as Subject Complement
What concerns buyers most is how battery degradation may affect resale value.
The clause after is explains the subject.
3. Adverbial Clause of Place
Where I live, there are not enough fast-charging stations.
Where I live functions as an adverbial modifier of place.
4. Clause as Object
Many drivers wonder whether electric cars are practical for long-distance travel.
The clause answers the question: wonder what?
5. Emphatic “What”-Clause
What makes electric cars attractive is that they are cheaper to run.
This structure gives emphasis to the main idea.
6. Adverbial Clause of Condition
If renewable energy becomes more widespread, electric cars will become much greener.
The clause expresses the condition under which the main idea is true.
7. Clause after “whether”
What remains unclear is whether battery recycling can be scaled efficiently.
The subordinate clause works as a subject complement.
TOEFL New — Build a Sentence (Advanced Grammar)
Reconstruct the sentences using the words provided.
1. FRIEND: Why don’t more people buy electric cars?
YOU: What puts many drivers off electric cars is that across regions.
2. COLLEAGUE: Why are people hesitant to buy EVs?
YOU: What concerns potential buyers most is how resale value over time.
3. STUDENT: What do EV supporters usually say?
YOU: What advocates emphasize is that electric vehicles air pollution in urban areas.
4. FRIEND: Is EV infrastructure sufficient where you live?
YOU: Where I live, there are far fewer than would be needed.
5. DRIVER: Why do people worry about EV travel?
YOU: Where long-distance travel is common, drivers tend to worry about whether they charging points.
6. FRIEND: Why are EVs attractive?
YOU: What is that their operating costs are lower.
7. STUDENT: What do critics say?
YOU: What critics often point out is that still rely on fossil fuels.
8. FRIEND: What’s uncertain about EVs?
YOU: What remains unclear to many consumers is whether will scale efficiently.
9. NEWS: EV prices vary greatly.
YOU: Where governments provide subsidies, become more affordable.
10. DRIVER: What do people like about EVs?
YOU: What drivers appreciate is how quietly operate.
11. FRIEND: Why do some people avoid EVs?
YOU: .
12. STUDENT: Where do EVs really contribute to decreasing carbon emissions?
YOU: carbon emissions.
13. ENGINEER: What are manufacturers improving?
YOU: can be charged.
14. DRIVER: Why is range anxiety still a problem?
YOU: to fast refuelling.
15. FUTURIST: What about the future of EVs?
YOU: omnipresent .
Total Questions: 4
Correct Answers: 0
Incorrect Answers: 0