Adjective Clause-Definition,Examples, types, uses, exercise

To work with grammar in a proper way is to understand the fundamentals and its way of working. In this Chapter proper care has been taken to make sure that we reach to the understanding of the students in a comprehensive way.

What is an Adjective clause?

An adjective clause is a clause that functions as an adjective in a sentence. It modifies a noun or pronoun and is introduced by a relative pronoun such as “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” or “which.” Adjective clauses are also known as relative clauses. Here are some examples of adjective clauses:

• The book, which was published in 1818, is a classic.
• The woman who was sitting next to me on the plane was very friendly.
• The house whose roof was damaged by the storm needs to be repaired.

In these examples, the adjective clauses are underlined and the nouns they modify are bolded.

Definition of an Adjective Clause

An adjective clause is a clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in a sentence. It is introduced by a relative pronoun such as “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” or “which,” and it functions as an adjective, providing more information about the noun or pronoun. Adjective clauses are also known as relative clauses.

Here’s an example of an adjective clause:

The book, which was published in 1818, is a classic.

In this sentence, the adjective clause “which was published in 1818” provides more information about the noun “book.” The clause is introduced by the relative pronoun “which” and modifies the noun “book” by specifying which book is being referred to.

How is an Adjective Clause formed?

An adjective clause is formed by combining a relative pronoun (such as “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” or “which”) with a clause that provides more information about a noun or pronoun in the sentence. The relative pronoun serves as the subject or object of the clause and introduces the clause.

Here are some examples of adjective clauses and the relative pronouns that introduce them:

• The book, which was published in 1818, is a classic. (introduced by “which”)
• The woman who was sitting next to me on the plane was very friendly. (introduced by “who”)
• The house whose roof was damaged by the storm needs to be repaired. (introduced by “whose”)

In these examples, the adjective clauses are underlined and the relative pronouns are bolded.

It’s important to note that an adjective clause can come either before or after the noun it modifies. In the first and third examples above, the adjective clauses come after the nouns they modify, while in the second example, the adjective clause comes before the noun it modifies.

Types of Adjective Clauses

There are several types of adjective clauses, each of which is introduced by a different relative pronoun. The type of adjective clause you use depends on the function of the clause and the noun or pronoun it modifies.

Here are the types of adjective clauses and the relative pronouns that introduce them:

1. Defining clauses: These clauses provide essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify and are not separated from the noun or pronoun by a comma. They are introduced by the relative pronouns “that” or “which.”

Example: The book that I bought yesterday is very interesting.

2. Non-defining clauses: These clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify and are separated from the noun or pronoun by a comma. They are introduced by the relative pronouns “who,” “whom,” “whose,” or “which.”

Ex: My friend, who is a doctor, is coming to visit me.

3. Possessive clauses: These clauses indicate possession or ownership and are introduced by the relative pronoun “whose.”

Example: The house whose roof was damaged by the storm needs to be repaired.

4. Subject clauses: These clauses function as the subject of the verb in the clause and are introduced by the relative pronoun “who” or “that.”

Ex: The person who called me last night left no message.

5. Object clauses: These clauses function as the object of the verb in the clause and are introduced by the relative pronoun “whom” or “that.”

Example: The woman whom I met at the party was very friendly.

Defining Adjective clauses

Non-defining Adjective clauses

Non-defining adjective clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify. They are separated from the noun or pronoun by a comma and are therefore not necessary to identify the specific noun or pronoun being referred to. Non-defining adjective clauses are also known as non-restrictive clauses.

Here are some examples of non-defining adjective clauses:

• My friend, who is a doctor, is coming to visit me.
• The cat, which is sleeping on the couch, is very cute.
• The city, where I was born, is very beautiful.

In these examples, the non-defining adjective clauses are underlined and the nouns they modify are bolded. Notice that the clauses are introduced by the relative pronouns “who,” “which,” and “where,” and that they are separated from the nouns they modify by a comma.

It’s important to use a comma to distinguish non-defining clauses from defining clauses. If you don’t use a comma, the clause is considered defining and is necessary to identify the specific noun or pronoun being referred to.

Possessive Adjective clauses

Possessive adjective clauses indicate possession or ownership. They are introduced by the relative pronoun “whose” and function as adjectives in a sentence.

Here are some examples of possessive adjective clauses:

• The house whose roof was damaged by the storm needs to be repaired.
• The cat whose tail is missing is mine.
• The man whose car was stolen is filing a police report.

In these examples, the possessive adjective clauses are underlined and the nouns they modify are bolded. Notice that the clauses are introduced by the relative pronoun “whose” and that they indicate possession or ownership of the nouns they modify.

It’s important to note that the possessive form of “whose” can be used to indicate possession or ownership of either people or things. For example, you can use “whose” to indicate possession or ownership of a house, as in the first example above, or to indicate possession or ownership of a car, as in the third example.

Subject Adjective clauses

Subject adjective clauses function as the subject of the verb in the clause. They are introduced by the relative pronouns “who” or “that” and modify the noun or pronoun that comes before the clause.

Here are some examples of subject adjective clauses:

• The person who called me last night left no message.
• The people who live next door are very loud.
• The book that I’m reading is very interesting.

In these examples, the subject adjective clauses are underlined and the nouns they modify are bolded. Notice that the clauses are introduced by the relative pronouns “who” and “that” and that they function as the subject of the verb in the clause.

It’s important to note that subject adjective clauses can come either before or after the verb in the clause. In the first and second examples above, the subject adjective clauses come before the verb, while in the third example, the subject adjective clause comes after the verb.

Objective Adjective clauses

Objective adjective clauses function as the object of the verb in the clause. They are introduced by the relative pronouns “whom” or “that” and modify the noun or pronoun that comes before the clause.

Here are some examples of objective adjective clauses:

• The woman whom I met at the party was very friendly.
• The teacher whom I talked to said I could take the test later.
• The car that I bought last week is already having problems.

In these examples, the objective adjective clauses are underlined and the nouns they modify are bolded. Notice that the clauses are introduced by the relative pronouns “whom” and “that” and that they function as the object of the verb in the clause.

It’s important to note that objective adjective clauses can come either before or after the verb in the clause. In the first and second examples above, the objective adjective clauses come after the verb, while in the third example, the objective adjective clause comes before the verb.

Difference between an Adjective, an Adjective Phrase and an Adjective Clause

An adjective is a word that modifies a noun or pronoun in a sentence, providing more information about the noun or pronoun. It is a group of words that functions as an adjective in a sentence. An adjective clause is a clause that functions as an adjective in a sentence and is introduced by a relative pronoun such as “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” or “which.”

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between an adjective, an adjective phrase, and an adjective clause:

• The happy dog barked loudly. (adjective)
• The dog, which was very happy, barked loudly. (adjective clause)
• The dog with the wagging tail barked loudly. (adjective phrase)

In these examples, “happy” is an adjective that modifies the noun “dog,” “which was very happy” is an adjective clause that modifies the noun “dog,” and “with the wagging tail” is an adjective phrase that modifies the noun “dog.”

It’s important to note that an adjective phrase can sometimes contain an adjective clause. For example:

• The dog, who was very happy, with the wagging tail barked loudly. (adjective clause + adjective phrase)

In this example, “who was very happy” is an adjective clause that modifies the noun “dog,” and “with the wagging tail” is an adjective phrase that modifies the noun “dog.”

Exercise on Adjective Clause

Here are some sentences that you can practice modifying with adjective clauses:

1. The cat is sleeping on the couch.

• The cat, which is sleeping on the couch, is very cute.
• The cat that I saw earlier is sleeping on the couch.

2. The car needs a new tire.

• The car, which needs a new tire, is making a strange noise.
• The car that I bought last week needs a new tire.

3. The woman is wearing a red dress.

• The woman, who is wearing a red dress, is very attractive.
• The woman that I saw at the party is wearing a red dress.

4. The man is very tall.

• The man, who is very tall, is my neighbor.
• The man that I saw at the park is very tall.

5. The house needs to be painted.

• The house, which needs to be painted, is for sale.
• The house whose roof was damaged by the storm needs to be painted.

Join the following using the Adjective clause

1. The cat is sleeping on the couch. It is very cute.

• The cat, which is sleeping on the couch, is very cute.

2. The car needs a new tire. It is making a strange noise.

• The car, which needs a new tire, is making a strange noise.

3. The woman is wearing a red dress. She is very attractive.

• The woman, who is wearing a red dress, is very attractive.

4. The man is very tall. He is my neighbor.

• The man, who is very tall, is my neighbor.

5. The house needs to be painted. It is for sale.

• The house, which needs to be painted, is for sale.

6. The book is very interesting. I bought it yesterday.

• The book that I bought yesterday is very interesting.

7. The computer is not working. It needs to be repaired.

• The computer, which needs to be repaired, is not working.

8. The movie is very suspenseful. I saw it last night.

• The movie that I saw last night is very suspenseful.

9. The bird is singing in the tree. It is very beautiful.

• The bird, which is singing in the tree, is very beautiful.

10. The restaurant is very crowded. I ate there yesterday.

• The restaurant that I ate at yesterday is very crowded.