Identify the adverb clause of comparison in the following sentence:
The Shatabdi reached Bhopal earlier than the timetable had promised.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → than the timetable had promised
Adverb clause of comparison:
- An adverb clause of comparison compares two things. It begins with than or as and has its own subject and verb.
- Here “than the timetable had promised” has the subject “the timetable” and the verb “had promised”. It completes the comparison begun by “earlier”.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The Shatabdi reached Bhopal — Incorrect. This is the main clause. It makes sense on its own.
Option 2: earlier than the timetable — Incorrect. This is not a full clause. It leaves out the verb “had promised”.
Option 4: the timetable had promised — Incorrect. This leaves out the joining word “than”. A clause runs from its joining word to its last word.