Adjective Clauses in Detail
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#### Objectives
– Understand the structure and function of adjective clauses.
– Identify adjective clauses in sentences.
– Learn the common introducers of adjective clauses.
– Apply adjective clauses correctly in writing to add detail and complexity.
#### Topics
##### 1. **Definition of Adjective Clauses**
**Definition:**
– An adjective clause, also known as a relative clause, is a dependent clause that functions as an adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun, providing additional information about it.
**Key Characteristics:**
– Contains a subject and a verb.
– Cannot stand alone as it does not express a complete thought.
– Provides more details about a noun or pronoun in the main clause.
##### 2. **Common Introducers**
Adjective clauses are often introduced by the following words:
– who, whom, whose, which, that, where, when, why
##### 3. **Types of Adjective Clauses**
###### Restrictive Clauses (Essential Clauses):
– Provide essential information about the noun they modify.
– Do not use commas.
– Example: The book *that you gave me* is on the table.
– *that you gave me* is essential to know which book is being referred to.
###### Non-restrictive Clauses (Non-essential Clauses):
– Provide additional, non-essential information about the noun they modify.
– Use commas to set off the non-essential information.
– Example: My brother, *who is a doctor*, lives in New York.
– *who is a doctor* provides extra information about “my brother” but is not essential for identifying him.
##### 4. **Functions of Adjective Clauses**
**Examples:**
– **Modifying a Subject:**
– The man *who called* yesterday is my uncle.
– *Adjective Clause:* who called
– *Noun Modified:* The man
– Explanation: The clause “who called” modifies “The man,” providing more information about him.
– **Modifying a Direct Object:**
– I found the key *that was lost*.
– *Adjective Clause:* that was lost
– *Noun Modified:* the key
– Explanation: The clause “that was lost” modifies “the key,” specifying which key was found.
– **Modifying an Object of a Preposition:**
– She is the teacher *with whom I studied*.
– *Adjective Clause:* with whom I studied
– *Noun Modified:* the teacher
– Explanation: The clause “with whom I studied” modifies “the teacher,” indicating a relationship with the subject.
##### 5. **Common Introducers in Detail**
– **Who:**
– Used for people as the subject of the clause.
– Example: The girl *who danced* was talented.
– Explanation: “who danced” modifies “The girl.”
– **Whom:**
– Used for people as the object of the clause.
– Example: The student *whom the teacher praised* was excited.
– Explanation: “whom the teacher praised” modifies “The student.”
– **Whose:**
– Shows possession for people and things.
– Example: The man *whose car was stolen* reported it to the police.
– Explanation: “whose car was stolen” modifies “The man.”
– **Which:**
– Used for things and animals as the subject or object of the clause.
– Often used in non-restrictive clauses.
– Example: The house, *which is on the hill*, has a beautiful view.
– Explanation: “which is on the hill” modifies “The house.”
– **That:**
– Used for people, animals, and things in restrictive clauses.
– Example: The car *that he bought* is expensive.
– Explanation: “that he bought” modifies “The car.”
– **Where:**
– Used for places.
– Example: The restaurant *where we met* is now closed.
– Explanation: “where we met” modifies “The restaurant.”
– **When:**
– Used for times.
– Example: The day *when we arrived* was rainy.
– Explanation: “when we arrived” modifies “The day.”
– **Why:**
– Used for reasons.
– Example: The reason *why he left* remains unknown.
– Explanation: “why he left” modifies “The reason.”
##### 6. **Punctuation Guidelines for Adjective Clauses**
###### Non-restrictive Clauses:
– Always use commas to set off non-restrictive clauses.
– Example: My friend, *who is a musician*, is moving to Paris.
– Explanation: The clause “who is a musician” is non-essential and is set off with commas.
###### Restrictive Clauses:
– Do not use commas for restrictive clauses.
– Example: The book *that he recommended* was excellent.
– Explanation: The clause “that he recommended” is essential to identify the book and is not set off with commas.
##### 7. **Examples and Detailed Explanations**
###### Modifying Subjects:
– **Example:** The dog *that barks loudly* belongs to Mr. Brown.
– *Adjective Clause:* that barks loudly
– *Noun Modified:* The dog
– Explanation: The clause “that barks loudly” provides essential information about “The dog.”
###### Modifying Objects:
– **Example:** I like the dress *which she wore* to the party.
– *Adjective Clause:* which she wore
– *Noun Modified:* the dress
– Explanation: The clause “which she wore” gives more details about “the dress.”
###### Modifying Objects of Prepositions:
– **Example:** The city *where I was born* is very beautiful.
– *Adjective Clause:* where I was born
– *Noun Modified:* The city
– Explanation: The clause “where I was born” specifies which city is being referred to.
##### 8. **Identifying Adjective Clauses**
– Look for clauses that begin with “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” “that,” “where,” “when,” or “why.”
– Ensure the clause is providing more information about a noun or pronoun.
**Practice:**
1. Identify the adjective clauses in the following sentences and state their function:
– The book *that you borrowed from me* is on the table.
– The teacher, *who is very strict*, gave us extra homework.
– The town *where I grew up* has changed a lot.
**Example Sentences:**
– The scientist *who discovered the cure* will receive an award.
– *Adjective Clause:* who discovered the cure
– *Noun Modified:* The scientist
– The movie, *which we watched last night*, was thrilling.
– *Adjective Clause:* which we watched last night
– *Noun Modified:* The movie
– The hotel *where we stayed* was luxurious.
– *Adjective Clause:* where we stayed
– *Noun Modified:* The hotel
By understanding and correctly using adjective clauses, your writing will become more descriptive and detailed, allowing you to convey precise information about the nouns in your sentences. This will improve the clarity and richness of your writing.
