Identify the kind of the underlined clause in the following sentence:
Whoever finishes the crossword first will get the last piece of cake.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Noun clause
“Whoever finishes the crossword first” is the subject of “will get”. It answers “Who will get the last piece?” and means “the person who finishes first”.
| Clause | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Adjective clause | describes a noun that comes just before it; here no noun comes before “Whoever” | The girl who finished first got a prize. |
| (2) Adverb clause | tells when, where, why or how something happens | We ate the cake after the guests left. |
| (3) Noun clause (answer) | does the work of a noun; it can be the subject of a verb | Whatever Nani cooks tastes wonderful. |
| (4) Principal clause | the main clause; it makes full sense on its own | The shop was closed when we reached. |