Adjective Clause: Understanding and Using Adjective Clauses

Definition of Adjective Clauses

An adjective clause is a type of dependent clause that functions as an adjective within a sentence. Its main role is to provide more information about a noun or pronoun, adding details that help to clarify or specify the noun it modifies.

Key Features:

1. Relative Pronouns: An adjective clause typically begins with a relative pronoun such as "who," "whom," "whose," "which," or "that." These pronouns link the clause to the noun it describes.

2. Descriptive Function: It provides additional details about the noun or pronoun in the main clause. This description helps to identify, qualify, or elaborate on the noun.

3. Dependent Nature: An adjective clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It relies on the main clause for its meaning.

Example:

• The car that she bought last year is very reliable.

• “that she bought last year” is the adjective clause modifying “the car,” providing more information about it.

How to Identify Adjective Clause?

1. Relative Pronouns: Look for relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) at the beginning of the clause. These words connect the adjective clause to the noun it modifies.

2. Describes a Noun: Determine if the clause is giving more information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. If it describes or limits the noun, it’s likely an adjective clause.

3. Dependent Clause: Check if the clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and relies on the main clause to make sense.

Examples:

• The book that you lent me is fascinating.

• “that you lent me” describes “the book.”

• She has a friend who can speak six languages.

• “who can speak six languages” describes “a friend.”

Types of Adjective Clauses

Adjective clauses can be classified into two main types based on their function and the information they provide: essential (restrictive) adjective clauses and non-essential (non-restrictive) adjective clauses.

1. Essential (Restrictive) Adjective Clauses

• Definition: Essential adjective clauses provide crucial information needed to identify the noun they modify. Without this clause, the sentence would lack important details and might be unclear or ambiguous.

• Punctuation: These clauses are not set off by commas.

• Example: "The students who studied the hardest passed the exam."

• Explanation: The clause "who studied the hardest" is essential to identify which students passed the exam. Without it, we wouldn’t know which students are being referred to.

2. Non-Essential (Non-Restrictive) Adjective Clauses

• Definition: Non-essential adjective clauses add extra information about a noun but are not necessary for identifying the noun. The sentence still makes sense if the clause is removed.

• Punctuation: These clauses are set off by commas.

• Example: "My car, which is red, is parked outside."

• Explanation: The clause "which is red" provides additional information about the car but is not essential to understand which car is being referred to. The sentence is clear even if this clause is omitted.

Key Points to Remember

• Relative Pronouns: Both types of adjective clauses use relative pronouns like who, whom, whose, which, and that to introduce the clause.

• Function: Essential clauses define or limit the noun they modify, while non-essential clauses provide supplementary details.

• Reducing Clauses: Both types can sometimes be reduced to streamline sentences. For instance, "The book that is on the table" can be reduced to "The book on the table."

Difference Between an Adjective, an Adjective Phrase and an Adjective Clause

Here is a comparison of an adjective, an adjective phrase, and an adjective clause in tabular form. This table outlines the key differences between adjectives, adjective phrases, and adjective clauses, helping to clarify their roles and structures in sentences.

This table outlines the key differences between adjectives, adjective phrases, and adjective clauses, helping to clarify their roles and structures in sentences.

Examples of Adjective Clauses

These are some examples of adjective clauses, which provide more information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence:

1. The book that I borrowed from the library is due tomorrow.

• Adjective Clause: "that I borrowed from the library"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the book" and specifies which book is being referred to.

2. The students who studied for the test passed with flying colours.

• Adjective Clause: "who studied for the test"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the students" and specifies which students passed the test.

3. She wore the dress which was given to her by her grandmother.

• Adjective Clause: "which was given to her by her grandmother"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the dress" and provides additional information about its origin.

4. The car that he bought last year is already having issues.

• Adjective Clause: "that he bought last year"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the car" and specifies which car is having issues.

5. The restaurant where we had dinner last night was fantastic.

• Adjective Clause: "where we had dinner last night"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the restaurant" and specifies which restaurant is being talked about.

6. I met the author whose book you recommended.

• Adjective Clause: "whose book you recommended"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the author" and specifies whose book was recommended.

7. The movie that she recommended was very entertaining.

• Adjective Clause: "that she recommended"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the movie" and specifies which movie was entertaining.

8. The house which we are planning to buy needs a lot of repairs.

• Adjective Clause: "which we are planning to buy"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the house" and specifies which house needs repairs.

9. The cake that she baked for the party was delicious.

• Adjective Clause: "that she baked for the party"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the cake" and specifies which cake was delicious.

10. The person who called you earlier is waiting outside.

• Adjective Clause: "who called you earlier"

• Explanation: This clause describes "the person" and specifies who is waiting outside.

Review Your Understanding on Adjective Clauses

Exercise 1: Identify the Adjective Clause

Instructions: Underline the adjective clause in each sentence and identify the noun it modifies.

1. The house that we visited last summer was beautiful.

2. She wore the dress which she bought for the party.

3. The teacher who helped me with my project is retiring.

4. The book that you see on the shelf is very old.

5. I spoke to the man whose car was parked outside.

Exercise 2: Combine the Sentences

Instructions: Combine the two sentences into one, using an adjective clause.

1. The girl is my friend. She won the science competition.

2. The movie was interesting. We watched it last night.

3. The restaurant serves delicious food. It is located near my house.

4. The project was challenging. We completed it on time.

5. The museum has many ancient artifacts. It is closed on Mondays.

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks

Instructions: Complete the sentences with an appropriate adjective clause using the relative pronouns provided.

1. The dog ___ barked all night kept me awake. (who, that)

2. The artist ___ painted that mural is famous. (whose, who)

3. I met a student ___ plays the piano exceptionally well. (who, which)

4. The book ___ you recommended was excellent. (that, whom)

5. The city ___ we visited last summer is beautiful. (where, which)

Exercise 4: Rewrite the Sentences

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence to include an adjective clause that describes the underlined noun.

1. I spoke to the manager. The manager gave me a refund.

2. They live in a house. The house has a large garden.

3. She bought a new laptop. The laptop has a long battery life.

4. He has a car. The car is very fuel-efficient.

5. We visited a museum. The museum had a fascinating exhibit.

Exercise 5: Create Sentences

Instructions: Create sentences using the given adjective clauses. Ensure that your sentences have clear nouns for the clauses to modify.

1. who won the award

2. which is located in the city centre

3. whose novel became a bestseller

4. that was covered in snow

5. where we first met

Check the Answers Below:

Exercise 1: Identify the Adjective Clause

1. that we visited last summer modifies “the house.”

2. which she bought for the party modifies “the dress.”

3. who helped me with my project modifies “the teacher.”

4. that you see on the shelf modifies “the book.”

5. whose car was parked outside modifies “the man.”

Exercise 2: Combine the Sentences

1. The girl who won the science competition is my friend.

2. The movie that we watched last night was interesting.

3. The restaurant which is located near my house serves delicious food.

4. The project that we completed on time was challenging.

5. The museum that is closed on Mondays has many ancient artifacts.

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks

1. The dog who barked all night kept me awake.

2. The artist who painted that mural is famous.

3. I met a student who plays the piano exceptionally well.

4. The book that you recommended was excellent.

5. The city where we visited last summer is beautiful.

Exercise 4: Rewrite the Sentences

1. I spoke to the manager who gave me a refund.

2. They live in a house that has a large garden.

3. She bought a new laptop that has a long battery life.

4. He has a car that is very fuel-efficient.

5. We visited a museum that had a fascinating exhibit.

Exercise 5: Create Sentences

1. I met a writer who won the award for his novel.

2. They stayed at a hotel which is located in the city centre.

3. The author whose novel became a bestseller is giving a talk.

4. The old cabin that was covered in snow looked magical.

5. This is the café where we first met for coffee.

Takeaways on This Page:

Adjective clauses are essential components in sentences that provide detailed descriptions of nouns or pronouns. They help to specify which particular person, place, or thing is being discussed by adding more information. These clauses are introduced by relative pronouns like who, which, that, and whose, and can either be essential (restrictive) or non-essential (non-restrictive). Essential adjective clauses give necessary information that defines the noun, whereas non-essential clauses provide extra details and are usually set off by commas.