Adjective Clause

1. Definition
An adjective clause is a dependent clause
which modifies a noun, identifies, or gives
further information about a noun.
I thank the woman who helped me
• I thanked the woman : as independent clause
• Who helped me : an adjective clause
The adjective clause modifies noun ; “woman”
Who : is the subject of the adjective clause.
An adjective clause is also called a relative
clause
There are 3 kinds of adjective clauses
1. Defining Adjective clause
these describe the preceding noun in such a
way as to distinguish it from other nouns of the
same class.
o The man who told me this refused to give me
his name.
There is no comma between a noun and the a
defining clause.
2. Non- defining adjective clause
There are comma placed after nouns which
are definite already.
o Peter, who is driving all day, suggested at
the next town.
 Function of adjective clause
1. Adjective clause functions as subject of the
sentence “who, which, that”
o I thanked the woman who helped me.
a. I thanked the woman
b. She helped me.
S
o I tanked the woman that helped me
o The book which is on the table is mine
 a. the book is mine
b. it is on the table
o The book that is on the table is mine.
2. Adjective clause functions as a object of the
sentence “who, whom, which, that”
o The man who I saw is Mr. Zaenal
a. the man is Mr. Zaenal
b. I saw him
O
o The man whom I saw is Mr. Zaenal.
o The man that I saw is Mr. Zaenal.
o The man I saw is Mr. Zaenal.
o The movie which we saw last night was not
good.
o The movie that we saw last night was not
good.
o The movie we saw last night was not good.
3. Adjective function as the object of preposition
o She is the woman about whom I told you.

Object of Preposition

a. She is the woman

b. I told you about the woman
o She is the woman whom I told you about.
o She is the woman that I told you about.
o The music to which we listened last night was
pop
o The music that we listened to last night was
pop.
o The music we listened last night to was pop
4. Using whose
o The student whose composition I read is a
good writer.
a. The student is a good writer.
b. I read his composition.
o I am from a country whose history goes back
thousand of years.
a. I am from a country
b. its history goes back thousand of years.
5. Using Where
o The building where he lives is very old.
a. the building is very old.
b. He lives in the building.
o The building in which he lives is very old.
o The building which he lives in is very old.
o The building where he lives in is very old.
6. Using when
o I’ll never forget the day when I meet you.
a. I’ll never forget the day.
b. the day I meet you.
o I’ll never forget the day in which I meet you.
o I’ll never forget the day that I meet you.
o I’ll never forget the day I meet you.
I. Combine those two sentences. Use the second
sentence as an adjective clause.
Example.
a. The book is mine
b. it is on the table.
The book which is on the table is mine.
The book that is on the table is mine
The book on the table is mine.
1. I saw the man. He closed the door.
2. The girl is happy. She won the race.
3. The student is from China. He sits next to me.
4. The man called the pilot. His wallet was
stolen.
5. We are studying sentences. They contain
adjective clause.
6. She is a doctor. I talked to her last week.
7. I met a man. I had met him two years ago.
8. The man was so awesome. His wealth was
more than 1 million dollars.
9. The movie was excellent. We watched it all
night.
10. I never forget such a great moment. I
became a champion.
11. The house is crowded. We lived in the
house.
12. The pencil is so beautiful. Its case made of
gold.
13. The lady became sad. She has just received a
letter.
14. The doctor gave a recipe. I should buy it.
15. She is a girl. I always think about her.
II. Fill the blank with “who, whom, which,
whose”
Example :
You are the last person ……saw her alive.
You are the last person who saw her alive.
1. She enjoyed the meal …. She prepared for us.
2. Do you know …she gave the money to?
3. They furnished the child….. Broke the vase.
4. The watch …..I bought has stopped running.
5. They want to know …. Car is parked outside
their house.
6. The bridge ….they use everyday is not very
safe.
7. Did they see the man …..had shot the old
lady?
8. The bus ….. She took broke down half –way.
The man ….wife is a teacher is very rich.
9. The bird …flew away has been caught.
10. The woman ….son has gone away, is very ill.
11. That is the lady …. Asked me for direction.
12. The students …..got the trophy are smart.
13. Do you believe to … you trusted?
14. She didn’t think the thing …..she believes.
15. Angga, ……the people think the most
powerful, was only common boy.
III. Replace the clauses in italic typed by an
infinitive or infinitive phrase.
Example:
I have books that I must read.
I have books to read.
A form that you must fill in.
a form to fill in.
1. We had a river in which we could swim.
2. Here are some accounts that you must check.
3. I have some letters that I must write.
4. The child is lonely; he would be happier if he had
some that he could play with.
5. I got a bottle of wine but I haven’t anything that I
could open it with.
6. I don’t much care of cooking for myself. If I had a
family that I had to cook for I’d be more interested .
7. She said that she wasn’t going to buy any card; she
hadn’t anyone to whom she could send cards.
8. He is the first man who left the burning
building.
9. I don’t want to go alone and I haven’t anyone
that I can go with.
10. The floor is dirty but I haven’t got a brush
that I can sweep it with.
Change the adjective clause into V-ing
1. The lady gets in touch with was a film star.
2. Don’t talk the thing which makes you upset.
3. She prepares himself for the journey which
tempts many people.
4. She called the man who helped her last
night.
5. He depends on the people who trust him.