Adjective Clause

Adjective Clauses

        A.    Introduction: Let’s remember …..

	Definition		Example
Clause	A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb.	Sue lives in Tokyo Where does Sue live?
Independent Clause	An independent clause is a complete sentence. It contains the main subject and verb of s sentence. (It is also called “a main clause.”)	Sue lives in Tokyo Where does Sure live?
Dependent Clause	A dependent clause is not a complete sentence. It must be connected to an independent clause.	Where Sue live?
Adjective Clause	An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun. It describes, identifies, or gives further information about noun. (An adjective clause is also called “a relative clause.”)	Students who are intelligent understand adjectives.
Adjective Clause Pronouns	An adjective clause uses pronouns to connect the dependent clause to the independent clause. (Adjective clause pronouns are called “relative pronouns.”)	Students whom I admire want to become English teachers.

There are 7 words which introduce clauses:

Pronoun	Use	Example
Who	Used for humans in subject position.	Hans, who is an architect, lives in Berlin.
Whom	Used for humans in object position.	Marike, whom Hans knows well, is an interior decorator.
Which	Used for things and animals in subject or object position.	Marike has a dog Which follows her everywhere
That	Used for humans and, animals and things in subject or object position.	Marike is decorating a house that Hans designed.
Whose	Used to show possession	The people whose house we visited yesterday were kindly.
Where	Used in an adjective clause to modify a place (city, country, room, house, etc.)	This class where my friends and I study with a lecture is comfortable.
When	Used in an adjective clause to modify a noun of time (year, day, time, country, etc.)	Monday when I will come to your home is the day.

       1.     ADJECTIVE CLAUSE PRONOUNS USED AS THE SUBJECT

Example	Explanation
I thanked the woman She helped me      a.      I thanked the woman who helped me.      b.     I thanked the woman that helped me.	I thanked the woman = An independent clause. Who helped me = An adjective clause The adjective clause modifies the noun “woman”
The book is on the table It is mine      c.      The book which is on the table is mine.      d.     The book that is on the table is mine.	Who is the subject of the adjective clause. That is the subject of the adjective clause. (a, b, c and d) have the same meaning
An adjective clause closely follows the noun it modifies

        2.     ADJECTIVE CLAUSE PRONONS USED AS THE OBJECT OF A VERB

Example	Expalantion
The man was Mr. Junes. I saw him.      a.      The man who(m) I saw was Mr. Junes.      b.     The man that I saw was Mr. Junes.      c.      The man I was Mr. Junes.	The adjective clause pronouns are placed at the beginning of the clause.
The snacks aren’t very delicious. We ate it yesterday in the movie.     a.      The snacks which we ate yesterday in the movie aren’t delicious.     b.     The snacks that we ate yesterday in the movie aren’t delicious.     c.      The snacks we ate yesterday in the movie aren’t delicious.	As object pronoun is often omitted from an adjective clause. (a subject pronoun, however, may not be omitted).

        3.     ADJECTIVE CLAUSE PRONOUNS USED AS THE OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION

Example	Explanation
She is the woman. I told you about her.      a.      She is the woman about whom I told you.      b.     She is the woman whom I told you about.      c.      She is the woman that I told you about.      d.     She is the woman I told you about.	Formal English: the preposition comes at the beginning of the adjective clause.
The film was enjoyable. I and my friends watched it last week.      a.      The film to which I and my friends watched last week was enjoyable.     b.     The film which I and my friends watched to last week was enjoy.      c.      The film that I and my friends watched to last week was enjoy.     d.     The film I and my friends watched last week was enjoyable.	If preposition comes at the beginning of the adjective clause, only whom or which may be used.

        4.     USING WHOSE

Example	explanation
I know an actress. Her voice is sweet.      a.      I know an actress whose voice is sweet.	a.      Whose is used to show possession. b.     Whose is connected a noun. c.      It carries the same meaning as other possessive pronouns used as the adjectives: His, her, their, and its. d.     Her voice – whose voice Their paper – whose paper
The students have written well. A teacher reads their paper. The student whose paper a teacher read have written well
Mrs. Nurul has a fishing. Its cost is very expensive. Mrs. Nurul has a fishing whose cost is very expensive.	Whose usually modifies people, but it may be used to modify things.

        5.     USING WHERE IN ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

Example

Explanation

The garden is very beautiful. You meet with your boyfriend there in the garden.     a.      The garden where you meet with your boyfriend is very beautiful.     b.     The garden in which you meet with your boyfriend is very beautiful.     c.      The garden which you meet with your boyfriend is very beautiful.    d.     The garden that you meet with your boyfriend is very beautiful.      e.      The garden you meet with your boyfriend is very beautiful.

Where is used in an adjective clause to modify a place (city, country, house, room, so on). If where is used, a preposition is not included in the adjective clause. If where is not used, the preposition must be included.

 

        6.     USING WHEN IN ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

Example	Explanation
I never forget the day. I have first date with you.      a.      I never forget the day when I have first date with you.      b.     I never forget the day on which I have first date with you.      c.      I never forget the day that I have first date with you.      d.     I never forget the day I have first date with you.	When is used in adjective clause to modify a noun of time (year, month, century, day, etc.) The use of a preposition in an adjective clause that modifies a noun in other adjective clauses: a preposition is used to preceding which as in (b). Otherwise, the preposition is omitted.