An adjective clause is a subordinate 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) or a relative adverb (such as when or where). Adjective clauses provide additional information about the noun or pronoun they modify and are necessary for the sentence to be complete and make sense.
For example:
The book, which was written by a famous author, is on the shelf. (In this sentence, the adjective clause "which was written by a famous author" modifies the noun "book" and provides more information about it.)
The person who called me last night was my best friend. (In this sentence, the adjective clause "who called me last night" modifies the noun "person" and tells us more about the person in question.)
Adjective clauses can be essential or nonessential. Essential adjective clauses are necessary for the sentence to make sense, and they are not set off by commas. Nonessential adjective clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify and are set off by commas.
For example:
The book that I read last night was really interesting. (In this sentence, the adjective clause "that I read last night" is essential because it tells us which book is being referred to. Without it, the sentence would be incomplete.)
My best friend, who is a doctor, is coming to visit. (In this sentence, the adjective clause "who is a doctor" is nonessential because it provides additional, non-essential information about the person in question. The sentence would still make sense without it.)
Adjective clauses can also be restrictive or nonrestrictive. Restrictive adjective clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence and are not set off by commas. Nonrestrictive adjective clauses provide additional, non-essential information and are set off by commas.
For example:
The people who live in the house next door are very loud. (In this sentence, the adjective clause "who live in the house next door" is restrictive because it tells us which people are being referred to. Without it, the sentence would be unclear.)
My sister, who is a nurse, works at a hospital. (In this sentence, the adjective clause "who is a nurse" is nonrestrictive because it provides additional, non-essential information about the sister. The sentence would still make sense without it.)
In summary, an adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun and provides additional information about it. Adjective clauses can be essential or nonessential, and restrictive or nonrestrictive, and they are introduced by a relative pronoun or adverb.
Examples of Adjective Clauses in Sentences
There are five functions of a noun clause: as a subject, direct object, indirect object, object of the preposition, or subject complement. There are three subtypes of dependent clauses: adjective clauses, noun clauses, and the less common adverbial clause. An adjective clause, then, is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb that modifies a noun in a sentence. A restrictive clause does limit the possible meaning of the subject. He is the man whom we all respect. Adjective Clause beginning with a Pronoun When an adjective clause begins with a pronoun, the pronoun is the subject of the clause.
Understanding an Adjective Clause (Definition, Examples, How to Use Them)
List of adjectives used to compare As long as it makes sense to do so, almost any adjective can be used as a comparative or superlative adjective. An adjective clause that cannot be omitted from a sentence without affecting the basic meaning of the sentence should not be set off by commas and is restrictive. For example: He lived in a house that he built by himself. By contrast, an adjective clause with nonessential information is just giving more details. Examples include who, that, whose, which, and whom. They are the building blocks of language and are essential for all verbal communication.
The adjective old follows the linking verb is. For example: The girl running is my classmate. The Elements of an Adjective Clause An adjective clause has basic elements and can be easily identified with its common patterns. Example 1: The restaurant where they serve fried zucchini is my favorite. Adjectival clauses are dependent clauses that usually begin with a relative pronoun which, that, who, whom or whose or a relative adverb where, when, and why.
Is who an adjectival clause? Explained by FAQ Blog
Formal Note that that becomes whom or which. Informal Do you know the actor that Shelly is talking about? Every sentence contains an independent clause. However, it is not complete Above all, adjective clauses give extra information about the noun. How can you tell the difference between a noun clause and an adjective clause? Summary: What are Adjective Clauses? However, an adjective clause does not have to contain an adjective to be classified as an adjective clause. That connects the clause we are going to climb that with the antecedent. To review, an adjective clause that can be omitted from a sentence without affecting the basic meaning of the sentence should be set off by commas and is nonrestrictive. There is the mountain that we are going to climb.
A noun clause can take the place of any noun in a sentence. Keep in mind that as with other grammar rules in the English language, there are often exceptions. Jones, who faints easily, saw the wild mouse and screamed. Substituting who for that is a good way to test whether an adjective clause needs commas or not, but some of your readers might not like that being used for a person — even a burglar. Non-Essential Adjective Clauses: Essential Adjective Clauses Sometimes the content included in an adjective clause is critical to the meaning of the phrase, while other times, it is not. In the sentence I know a girl who can play the piano, the noun girl is modified by the dependent clause who can play the piano.
An adjective is a word that Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns or provide more information about them. It is not set off by commas because it is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. There is much more to know about him. This would be useful if there were several buttons, and the reader wanted to know which one to use. Examples of Adjective Clauses Take a look at the following examples and analyse it closely to understand well how it works and how it should be used. The adjective else modifies the pronoun someone. People are sometimes superstitious about black cats which are common symbols of Halloween.
Note 3 : Unless there is a comma and preposition on the left; It can be used in place of who, whom, which, when and why. Other characteristics will help you distinguish one type of clause from another. My dad did not like the smartwatch which I gifted him on his 50 th birthday. An adjective clause, or relative clause, is a type of dependent clause that provides more information about a noun. There is no independent clause, and so we are left with an incomplete sentence. Directions: Click on all the words in each adjective clause. Informal Do you know the actor about whom Shelly is talking? Then, add a relative pronoun or relative adverb to the beginning of that phrase.
The city that we visited was busy and noisy. It can usually be found just after the preposition. Example 1: The man who owns Curious George wears a yellow hat. The man from China has been made the manager. An adjective clause is a dependent clause employed as an adjective within a sentence.
All dependent clauses are either noun clauses, adjective clauses, or adverbial clauses. My aunt, who works as the Vice Principal at Vivekalaya School, is coming to meet me today. Replace an Adjective Phrase With an Adjective Clause An adjective clause contains a subject and verb, while an adjective phrase lacks the subject-verb component. If the clause expresses a complete thought, then it is a complete sentence. The " that substitution" trick also works with who, but be aware that some of your readers might not like that used for people. Adjectives are used similarly to another part of speech known as The main difference between adjectives and adverbs is what words they modify. However, the word 'who' does signal the beginning of an adjective clause in the following sentence: Mrs.
For example: These are the books that you had asked for. Every clause has at least one subject and one verb. It will start with a who, whom, whose, that, or which or a when, where, or why. Learn about the definition, function, and examples of adjective clauses, recognize relative pronouns often used in adjective clauses as well as some exceptions, and explore how adjective clauses are used in writing. Here are the correct answers: 1.
