Adjective Clauses

 

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Adjective Clauses

Adjective clauses, also known as relative clauses, are groups of words that function as adjectives in a sentence. They provide more information about a noun or pronoun they modify. Here are detailed notes on adjective clauses:

1. Definition: An adjective clause is a dependent clause that starts with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative adverb (where, when, why).

2. Function: Adjective clauses modify nouns or pronouns in the main clause, providing additional information that helps specify or describe the noun/pronoun.

3. Types:

Defining (Restrictive) Clauses: Essential to the meaning of the sentence, they limit or define the noun they modify. They are not separated by commas.

Example: The book that is on the table belongs to Sarah.

Non-defining (Non-restrictive) Clauses: Provide extra information about the noun but are not essential to the sentence's meaning. They are separated by commas.

Example: Sarah's book, which is on the table, is very interesting.

4. Relative Pronouns:

Who: Refers to people.

Whom: Refers to people (object form).

Whose: Shows possession.

Which: Refers to things and animals.

That: Refers to people, things, animals (restrictive clauses only).

5. Relative Adverbs:

Where: Refers to place.

When: Refers to time.

Why: Refers to reason.

6. Placement: Adjective clauses typically follow the noun or pronoun they modify, but they can also precede it for stylistic reasons.

7. Punctuation: Defining clauses do not use commas, while non-defining clauses are set off by commas.

8. Examples:

Defining clause: The man who lives next door is a doctor.

Non-defining clause: Tom's car, which is parked outside, needs repairs.

9. Modifiers within Clauses: Adjective clauses can contain their own modifiers, such as adverbs or prepositional phrases, to provide more detail about the subject.

10. Common Errors: Be cautious with the use of "which" and "that" to introduce clauses, as "which" typically introduces non-defining clauses, while "that" is used for defining clauses.

Understanding how to use adjective clauses effectively can enhance sentence structure and provide clearer, more detailed descriptions in writing and conversation.

Now, it's time for practice

Which of the following sentences contains an adjective clause?

• a) I saw the man yesterday.
• b) I saw the man who was waiting for the bus.
• c) I went to the store to buy milk.
• d) She runs very fast.

Correct Answer: b) I saw the man who was waiting for the bus.

2. What is the relative pronoun in the following sentence? "The book that she gave me is very interesting."

• a) that
• b) book
• c) gave
• d) interesting

Correct Answer: a) that

3. Identify the adjective clause in this sentence: "The students who studied hard passed the exam."

• a) The students
• b) passed the exam
• c) who studied hard
• d) hard passed the exam

Correct Answer: c) who studied hard

4. Which of the following relative pronouns is used for people?

• a) which
• b) that
• c) who
• d) where

Correct Answer: c) who

5. In the sentence "The movie which we watched last night was amazing," the adjective clause modifies which word?

• a) movie
• b) watched
• c) amazing
• d) last night

Correct Answer: a) movie

6. Which sentence contains a non-defining (non-restrictive) adjective clause?

• a) The dog that barked all night kept us awake.
• b) My sister, who is a doctor, lives in New York.
• c) The woman whom I met at the store was friendly.
• d) The car that I bought is very fast.

Correct Answer: b) My sister, who is a doctor, lives in New York.

7. What does the adjective clause in the following sentence describe? "The house where I grew up was sold last year."

• a) house
• b) where
• c) grew
• d) last year

Correct Answer: a) house

8. Choose the correct sentence with a defining adjective clause.

• a) My brother, who lives in London, is visiting us.
• b) My brother who lives in London is visiting us.
• c) My brother, which lives in London, is visiting us.
• d) My brother lives in London, visiting us.

Correct Answer: b) My brother who lives in London is visiting us.

9. Which of the following relative pronouns can be used for both people and things?

• a) who
• b) that
• c) which
• d) whom

Correct Answer: b) that

10. What is the correct relative pronoun for this sentence? "The man ___ I met yesterday is a famous artist."

• a) which
• b) whose
• c) whom
• d) where

Correct Answer: c) whom

11. Identify the error in the following sentence: "The car, who was parked outside, belongs to my neighbor."

• a) car
• b) who
• c) belongs
• d) neighbor

Correct Answer: b) who

12. What is the function of the adjective clause in the sentence? "The girl whose bike was stolen is very upset."

• a) It describes "upset."
• b) It describes "bike."
• c) It describes "girl."
• d) It describes "stolen."

Correct Answer: c) It describes "girl."

13. Choose the correct relative pronoun to complete this sentence: "The town ___ I was born is small."

• a) where
• b) which
• c) when
• d) whose

Correct Answer: a) where

14. Which sentence contains an adjective clause starting with "that"?

• a) The book that I read was amazing.
• b) The man whom I saw was tall.
• c) The house, which is old, needs repairs.
• d) This is the place where we met.

Correct Answer: a) The book that I read was amazing.

15. Which of the following sentences does not contain an adjective clause?

• a) The teacher who taught me is retiring.
• b) The song that you played is beautiful.
• c) The food I ordered arrived late.
• d) I like swimming.

Correct Answer: d) I like swimming.