ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
SKILL 11: USE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CONNECTOR CORRECTLY
An adjective clause is a clause that describe a noun. Because the clause is an adjective, it is
positioned directly after the noun that it describes.
The woman is filling the glass that she puts on the table
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
The glass that she put on the table contains milk
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
In the first example there are two clauses: woman is the subject the verb is filling, and she is the
subject of the verb put. That is adjective clause connectors that joins these two clauses, and the
adjective clause she put on the table describes the noun glass.
In this second example there are two clauses: glass is the subject of the verb contains, and she is
the subject put. In this sentence also, that is the adjective clause connectors that joins these two
clauses, and the adjective clause she put on the table describes the noun glass.
Example The gift_____ selected for the bride was rather expensive.
(A) Because
(B) Was
(C) Since
(D) Which we
In this example you should notice immediately that there are two clauses, gift is the subject of
the verb was, and selected needs a subject. Because there are two clauses a connector is also
needed. Answer (A) and (C) have connectors, but there are no subjects, so these answer are
incorrect. Answer (B) changes selected into passive verb; in this case the sentence will have one
subject and two verbs, so (B) is incorrect. The best answer is (D). The correct sentence should
say; The gift we selected for the bride was rather expensive is subject of the verb was, we is the
subject of the verb selected, and the connector which joins these two clauses.
The following chart lists the adjective clause connectors and the sentence patterns used with
them:
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CONNECTOR
Whom which that
(for people) (for things) (for people or thing)
S V adjective connector S V
I liked the book which you recommended
S adjective connector S V V
The book what you recommended was interesting
Note: the adjective can be emitted, the omission vert common in spoken English or in casual written
English. It is not as common in formal English.
EXERCISE 11:
Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and
the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Put boxes around the noun clause. Then indicate of the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
_C_ 1. It is important to fill out the form in the way that you have been instructed.
S V ADJ. CON S V
_I_ 2. The car which I having been driving for five years for sale at a really good prize.(no verb)
S, ADJ. CON, S V
_I_ 3. I just finished reading the novel whom the professor suggested for my book report. (whom
is not correct because novel is a thing while whom is used to describe people, change whom with
which)
_C_ 4. The plane that he was scheduled to take to Hawaii was delayed.
_I_ 5. The movie which we watched on cable last night it was really frightening. (double subject,
remove “it”)
_C_ 6. I made an appointment with the doctor whom you recommended.
_C_ 7. The enthusiasm with which he greeted me made me feel welcome.
_I_ 8. The story that you told me about Bob. (no verb, add is …… )
_C_ 9. The men with whom were having the discussion did not seem very friendly.
_C_ 10. I’m not really sure about taking part in the plans that we made last night.
SKILL 12: USE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CONNECTOR / SUBJECTS CORRECTLY
In Skill 9 we saw that adjective clause connectors were used to introduce clauses that describe
nouns. In Skill 12 we will see that is some cases an adjective clause connector is not just a
connector; an adjective clause connector can also be subject of the clause at the same.
The woman is filling the glass that is on the table.
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
The glass that is on the table contains milk.
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
In the first example there are two clauses: woman is the subject of the verb is filling, and that is
the subject of the verb is. These two clauses are joined with the connector that. Notice that in
this example the word that serves two functions at the same time; it is the subject of the verb is,
and it is the connector that joins the two clauses. The adjective clause that is on the table
describes the noun glass.
In the second example, there are also two clauses: glass is the subject of the verb contains, and
that is the subject of the verb is. In this example that also serves two functions: it is the subject
of the verb is, and it is the connector that joins the two clauses. Because that is on the table is an
adjective clause describing the noun glass, it directly follows glass.
Example : ________ is on the table has four sections.
(A) The notebook
(B) The notebook which
(C) Because the notebook
(D) In the notebook
In this example you should notice immediately that there are two verbs, is and has, and each of
those verbs needs a subject. (You know that table is not a subject because it follows the
preposition on; table is the object of preposition). The only answer that has two subjects is (B),
so (B) is the correct answer. The correct sentence should say: The notebook which is on the table
has four sections. In this sentence notebook is the subject of the verb has, and which is the subject
of the verb is. Which is also the connector that joins the two clauses.
The following chart lists the adjective clause connectors and the sentence patterns used with
them:
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECT
Whom which that
(for people) (for things) (for people or thing)
S V adjective connector/subject V
She needs a secretary who types fast
S adjective connector V V
A secretary who types fast is invaluable
EXERCISE 12:
Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and
the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Put boxes around the noun clause. Then indicate of the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
_C_ 1. The ice cream that is served in the restaurant has a smooth creamy texture.
S ADJ. CON V V
_I_ 2. The cars are trying to enter the freeway system are lined up for blocks. (no adj. connector)
S V V (put that before are)
_I_ 3. I have great respect for everyone who is on the Dean’s List. (no verb, put is before on)
_I_ 4. It is going to be very difficult to work with the man which just began working here. (“which”
is not correct because man is people, use “who” instead)
_I_ 5. The door that leads to the vault it was tightly locked. (double subject, remove “it”)
_C_ 6. The neighbors reported the man who was trying to break into the car to the police.
_I_ 7. These plants can only survive in an environment is extremely humid. (no adjective
connector, put “which” before “is”)
_I_ 8. The boss meets with any production workers who they have surpassed their quotas.
(double subject, “who” and “they” have the same function as subject, remove “they”)
_C_ 9. The salesclerk ran after the woman who had left her credit card in the store.
_I_ 10. The shoes which matched the dress that was on sale. (double adjective connector, remove
“that”)
SKILL 13: USE REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSES CORRECTLY
Adjective clauses can appear in a reduced form: in the reduced form, the adjective clause
connector and the be-verb that directly follow it are omitted.
The woman who is waving to us is the tour guide.
The latter which was written last week arrived today.
The pitcher that is on the table is full of iced tea.
Each of these sentences may be used in the complete form or in the reduced form. In the reduced
form the connector who, which, or that is omitted along with the be-verb is or was.
If there is no be-verb in the adjective clause, it still possible to have a reduced form. When there
is no be-verb in the adjective clause, the connector is omitted and the verb is changed into the v-
ing form.
I don’t understand the article which appears in today’s paper.
appearing
In this example there is no be-verb in the adjective clause which appears in today’s paper, so the
connector which is omitted and the main verb appears is changed to the –ing form appearing.
It should be noted that not all adjective clauses can appear in a reduced form. An adjective clause
can appear in a reduced form only if the adjective clause connector is followed directly by verb.
In other words, an adjective clause can only be reduced if the connector is also subject.
The woman that I just met is the tour guide (does not reduced)
The letter which you sent me arrived yesterday (does not reduced)
In these two examples the adjective clauses cannot be reduced because the adjective clause
connectors that and which are not directly followed by verbs: that is directly by the subject I, and
which is directly followed by the subject you.
A final point note is that some adjective clauses are set off from the rest of the sentence with
commas, and these adjective clauses can also be reduced. In addition. When an adjective clause
is set off with commas, the reduced adjective clause can appear at the front of the sentence.
The White House, which is located in Washington, is the home of the president.
The White House, located in Washington, is the home of the president.
Located in Washington, the White House, is the home of the president.
The president, who is now preparing to give a speech, is meeting with his advisors.
The president, now preparing to give speech, is meeting with his advisors.
Now preparing to give a speech, the president is meeting with his advisors.
In these two examples, the adjective clauses are set off from the rest of the sentence with
commas, so each sentence can be structured in three different ways: (1) with the complete
clause, (2) with the reduced clause following the noun that it describes, and (3) with the reduce
clause at the beginning of the adjective.
Example: ________ on several different television programs, the witness gave
conflicting accounts of what had happened.
(A) He appeared
(B) Who appeared
(C) Appearing
(D) Appears
In this example answer (A) is incorrect because there are two clauses, He appeared… and the
witness gave…, and there is no connector to join them. Answer (B) is incorrect because the
adjective clause such who appeared… cannot appear at the beginning of the sentence unless it is
a reduced form. (C) is the correct answer because it is reduced form of the clause who appeared,
and this reduced form can appear at the front of the sentence. (D) is not reduced form of the
verb; it is merely a verb in the present tense; a verb such as appears needs a subject and
connector to be correct.
The following chart lists the structures of reduced adjective clauses and rules from how and when
reduced forms can be used:
REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSES
with a be-verb in the (ADJECTIVE CONNECTOR/SUBJECT) (BE)
adjective clause (who which that)
With no be-verb in the (ADJECTIVE CONNECTOR/SUBJECT) (VERB + ING)
adjective clause (who which that)
To reduce an adjective clause, omit the adjective clause connector/subject and the b-verb.
If there is no be-verb, omit the connector/subject and change the main verb to the –ing
form.
Only reduce and adjective clause if the connector/subject is directly followed by the verb.
If an adjective clause is set off with commas, the reduced clause can be moved to the front
of the sentence.
EXERCISE 13:
Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once, the
verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate of the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
_C_ 1. We will have to return the merchandise purchased yesterday at the Broadway.
_I_ 2. The children sat in the fancy restaurant found it difficult to behave. (sat is incorrect, it is
supposed to be “sitting in the fancy restaurant”) the previous probable sentence is “the children
who is sitting
_C_ 3. Serving a term of four years, the mayor of the town will face the reelection this year.
_I_ 4. The brand-new Cadillac, purchasing less than two weeks ago, was destroyed in the
accident. (“purchasing” is supposed to be “purchased” (passive).
_I_ 5. The fans who supporting their team always come out to the games in large number. (“who”
and “is” is supposed to be removed)
_I_ 6. The suspect can be seen in the photographs were just released by the police. (“were” is
supposed to be removed)
_I_ 7. The food placing on the picnic attracted a large number of flies. (“placing” is supposed to
be “placed”) the food that is placed on the picnic
_C_ 8. Impressed with everything she had heard about the course. Marie signed her children up
for it. She who is impressed with everything had heard . passive
_I_ 9. The passengers in the airport waiting room heard the announcement of the canceled flight,
groaned audibly. The passengers who are heard about the announcement
S + Ving/V3(+O)+V(+O)
_I_ 10. Dissatisfied with the service at the restaurant, the meal really was not enjoyable. (the
probable sentence is “who is dissatisfied with the service” the next sentence must have subject
“people” instead of “meal”)
