Adjective clauses function as adjectives. Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. An adjective clause is usually introduced by a relative pronoun.
A relative pronoun is a pronoun that joins an adjective clause to some word in the independent or main clause. The antecedent of the relative pronoun is the word to which it joins the clause. The relative pronouns used in this way are:
What is an Adjective Clause?
It is often difficult to determine whether to use who or whom when one of these words introduces a subordinate clause. Keep the following rule in mind:
| Word | Case |
|---|---|
| Who | Nominative case |
| Whom | Objective case |
| Whose | Possessive case |
Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses
Restrictive clauses are necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Commas do not set off a restrictive clause.
Nonrestrictive clauses are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Commas do set it off.
In our example, the clause is who invented the flying car. This clause identifies the man and is essential to the meaning of the sentence. The clause restricts the meaning of the sentence to the physicist who invented the flying car; therefore, it is essential.
The sentence above does not mean that it is exciting to visit museums. The meaning is restricted to visiting a certain type of museum; that is, the type that displays Greek and Roman arts. The underlined clause is thus necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Commas do not set off such a restrictive clause.
In our example, who wrote an article on drugs gives additional information regarding the author, but the meaning of the sentence is not changed if you leave the clause out. The clause does not place any restriction on the meaning. Therefore it is called a nonrestrictive clause. Commas set off nonrestrictive clauses.
Noun Clauses
Noun clauses function as nouns and are used as subjects of sentences, as objects of verbs, and as objects of prepositions.
The following words introduce noun clauses: what, how, that, and where. These same words are often used to introduce adjective or adverb clauses.
The only way to be sure that you are dealing with a noun clause is to determine how it is used in the particular sentence. If it functions the way a noun functions, then it is a noun clause.
A. Direct object of a verb
In the same way as a regular noun, a noun clause can also be used as an object. A noun used as an object answers the question what?
B. Object of a preposition
A noun clause is sometimes used as the object of a preposition, like a noun.
C. Predicate noun
A noun clause may be used as a predicate noun after a linking verb. Like a regular predicate noun, it refers to the same noun or pronoun as the subject.
Noun Clauses: More Notes
Sometimes the word that introduces a subordinate clause is omitted. You can always supply it if you are in doubt about the construction of the clause.
A noun used as an appositive may or may not be set off by commas. Sometimes the appositive is so closely related to the noun that no commas are required. Commas never set off noun clauses used in apposition.
A noun or a noun clause can be used in apposition with another noun. A word in apposition is placed near another word to explain or identify it.
The subject of a sentence beginning with it is not the word it. To find the subject, transpose the sentence. When used this way, it is called an expletive.
Use whether, not if, to introduce noun clauses used as the direct object of verbs such as say, learn, understand, know, doubt, ask, tell, discover, wonder, etc.
Key Takeaways
- Adjective clauses function as adjectives by modifying nouns and pronouns.
- Relative pronouns like who, whom, which, and that introduce adjective clauses.
- Restrictive clauses are necessary for sentence meaning and take no commas; nonrestrictive clauses give extra information and are set off by commas.
- Noun clauses function as nouns and can act as subjects, direct objects, or objects of prepositions.
Quick Practice
Tap each question to check your answer.
1. Identify the adjective clause: "The manager who received the award was my high school teacher."
2. Rewrite correctly: "Please ask my yaya if she has washed the dishes."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an adjective clause?
What is the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses?
How do you know when to use who versus whom?
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