THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

The Adjective Clause

A. Is one type of subordinate clause

B. Acts like an adjective.

C. Will modify a noun or pronoun.

D. Will always follow that noun or pronoun

Adjective Clauses

Relative pronouns – introduce an adjective clause. – Who, whom, whose, that, which

– NOTE: Sometimes a relative pronoun is preceded by a preposition that is part of the adjective clause.

• Have you read the book on which the movie is based?

Adjective Clauses

Relative Pronouns – who, whom, whose refer to people

– Who ~ The man who sold me the car left town.– Whom ~ The man for whom I work is kind.– Whose ~ The man whose car was stolen is angry.– NOTE: When to use WHO/WHOM:– (Who is subject of the clause; whom is NOT the subject of the clause –

there is already a subject)

Adjective Clauses

Relative Pronouns – which, that refer

to things & animals

– Which ~ Math, which is my favorite subject, was

cancelled.– That ~ The animal that ate my mom’s salad died.

Adjective Clauses

To modify a place or a time, an adjective clause may be introduced by when or where. When used to introduce adjective clauses, these words are called relative adverbs.

– The house where I grew up has been destroyed.

– Did I tell you about the time when my husband was sprayed by a skunk?

Adjective Clauses

REMEMBER: Adjective clauses are dependent clauses. If you take them out of the sentence, you must have a complete sentence left.

Commas with Adjective Clauses

When the adjective clause tells which one, it cannot be taken out of the sentence without changing the meaning of the sentence. (essential= no commas)

A clause beginning with that is usually essential.

Clauses that add information that is not needed to understand the basic meaning are nonessential. USE COMMAS!

Adjective Clauses – Where are they?

The actors who perform in commercials receive good pay.

At the zoo we saw some animals that were ferocious.

Mark Twain, who was an American writer, died a poor man.

Adjective Clauses – Where are they?

The actors who perform in commercials receive good pay.

At the zoo we saw some animals that were ferocious.

Mark Twain, who was an American writer, died a poor man.

Adjective Clauses – Where are they?

The theatre where we saw the movie burned to the ground.

Is this the student whose quick action saved Mrs. Bell?

Maria, whom I knew from college, just stopped by to visit.

Adjective Clauses – Where are they?

The theatre where we saw the movie burned to the ground.

Is this the student whose quick action saved Mrs. Bell?

Maria, whom I knew from college, just stopped by to visit.

Adjective Clauses – Where are they?

Spring, which happens to be my favorite season, is a great time of year.

The boy who ate that plant just died.

Simon, whom we know ate that plant, just died.

Adjective Clauses – Where are they?

Spring, which happens to be my favorite season, is a great time of year.

The boy who ate that plant just died.

Simon, whom we know ate that plant, just died.

Adjective Clauses – WRONG!!!!

Who is at the door?Where is your homework for English?The man who the school just hired is Mr.

Mixon.The girl that sat next to me fell asleep.I did my homework when I got home from

school.A metaphor is when you compare two things.

Adjective Clauses – WRONG!!!!

Who is at the door? (no s.c.)Where is your homework for English? (no s.c.)The man who the school just hired is Mr. Mixon.

(use whom because the clause already has a subject)

The girl that sat next to me fell asleep. (use who for people)

I did my homework when I got home from school. (when should describe a time)

A metaphor is when you compare two things. (adj. cl. cannot come after a verb)