ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

1* , 9* , 48*56, 49*56, 138*66, 140*66, 6*66, 7*67, 14*68, 21*69

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Adjective Clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun. It describes, identifies, or gives further
information about a noun. An adjective clause is also called a ‘relative clause’.
Clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb.
Independent Clause is a complete sentence. It contains the main subject and verb of a sentence. It is also
called a ‘main clause’.
Dependent Clause is not a complete sentence. It must be connected to an independent clause to make it a
complete sentence.
Adjective Clause Pronoun is a pronoun that is used to connect the dependent clause to the independent
clause. Adjective clause pronouns are also called ‘relative pronouns’.

RELATIVE PRONOUNS USED AS THE SUBJECT

Remember that who is for people who act as the subject.
which is for things that act as the subject.
that is for both people and things acting as the subject.

 I called the mechanic. He fixed your car.

Subject

who

who fixed your car

I called the mechanic who fixed your car.

that

 The man is being interrogated. He is my brother.

Subject

who

who is my brother

The man who is my brother is being interrogated.

that

 He lost the book. The book was borrowed from the library two days ago.
Subject

which

which was borrowed from the library two days ago.

He lost the book which was borrowed from the library two days ago.
that

 The yellow netbook is not mine. It is on the table.

Subject

which

which is on the table

The yellow netbook which is on the table is not mine.

that

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri

RELATIVE PRONOUNS USED AS THE OBJECT
Remember that whom is for people who act as the object.
which is for things that act as the object.
that is for both people and things acting as the object.

 That is Mr. Leman. I met him yesterday.

Object

whom

whom I met yesterday

That is Mr. Leman whom I met yesterday.

that

 Mr. Leman is giving a speech now. I met Mr. Leman yesterday.

Object

whom

whom I met yesterday

Mr. Leman whom I met yesterday is giving a speech now.

that

 He lost the book. He bought the book yesterday.

Object

which

which he bought yesterday

He lost the book which he bought yesterday.

that

 The yellow netbook is not mine. You hold the yellow netbook in your hand.
Object

which

which you hold in your hand

The yellow netbook which you hold in your hand is not mine.
that

Combine the sentences, using the second sentence as an adjective clause. Use ‘who’ or ‘whom’.

1. The girl gave me some info. I met her yesterday.

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2. I don’t know the girl. She is talking to Didin.
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3. The policewoman was very friendly. She gave me directions.

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri

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4. Do you know the people? They live in the white house.
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5. The people were very nice. I met them at the party last night.
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6. Do you like the mechanic? He fixed your car.

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USUAL PATTERN OF ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

 USUAL : I hate the man who is sitting next to Siti.

LESS USUAL : I hate the man that is sitting next to Siti.
 USUAL : I like books that have many pictures.
LESS USUAL : I like books which have many pictures.
 USUAL : I hate the man whom I met yesterday.
USUAL : I hate the man Ø I met yesterday.**
 USUAL : I like books that I read last night.
USUAL : I like books Ø I read last night.**
** The symbol Ø means nothing goes here. Objective pronouns are commonly omitted, especially in speaking.

Examine carefully and define whether ‘that’ in the following sentences is ‘who’ or ‘whom’. If it is
‘whom’ (an objective pronoun), you may omit it.

1. Do you like the boy that is talking to Ijah?

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2. The students that came to class late missed the quiz.
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3. The woman that I met last night was interesting.
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4. The man that answered the phone was polite.
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5. The people that Iwan is visiting live on Jl. Laksana.
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6. I didn’t know any of the people that Fajar invited to his party.
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7. The person that I admire most is my late father.
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8. The woman that I saw in the park yesterday was daydreaming.

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9. The woman that was daydreaming in the park yesterday is Siti’s sister.
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10. I like the barber that usually has my hair cut.

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri
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USING ‘WHOSE’

 I know a boy. His father is a film director.

whose

whose father is a film star.

I know a boy whose father is a film director.

 The woman called the police. Her jewelry was stolen.

whose

whose jewelry was stolen

The woman whose jewelry was stolen called the police.

 The people were friendly. We bought their house.

whose

whose house we bought

The people whose house we bought were friendly.

 I like the people. We bought their house.

whose

whose house we bought

I like the people whose house we bought.

 Mr. Firman has a painting. Its value is inestimable.

whose

whose value is inestimable

Mr. Firman has a painting whose value is inestimable.

Combine the sentences, using the second sentence as an adjective clause. Use ‘whose’.

1. I know a man. His last name is Sunjoyo.

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2. I apologized to the woman. I spilled her coffee.
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3. I met the woman. Her husband is the director of the famous film.
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Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri
4. I live in a dormitory. Its residents come from many countries.
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5. The people were very nice. We visited their house.
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6. The old novel is entitled “Di Bawah Lindungan Ka’bah”. Its author is Hamka.
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7. Mr. Buddin teaches a class for students. Their native language is not English.
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RELATIVE PRONOUNS USED AS THE OBJECT OF PREPOSITIONS

 She is the woman. I told you about her.

She is the woman about whom I told you.

She is the woman who(m) I told you about.
She is the woman that I told you about.
She is the woman Ø I told you about.

 The music was Dangdut. We listened to it last night.

The music to which we listened last night was dangdut.

The music which we listened to last night was dangdut.
The music that we listened to last night was dangdut.
The music Ø we listened to last night was dangdut.

Combine the sentences, using the second sentence as an adjective clause.

1. The movie was interesting. We went to it.
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2. The woman pays me a fair salary. I work for her.
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3. The man is over there. I told you about him.
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4. I want to tell you about the party. I went to it last night.
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5. The person is sitting at that desk. You should talk to her about your problem.
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6. Sasmita likes the family. She is living with them.
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7. The picture is beautiful. Didin is looking at it.
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8. I enjoyed the music. We listened to it after dinner.

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri

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USING ‘WHERE’

USING ‘WHEN’

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri

EXPRESSIONS OF QUANTITY IN ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri

USING ‘NOUN + OF WHICH’

USING ‘WHICH’ TO MODIFY A WHOLE SENTENCE

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri

PUNCTUATING ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri
REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSES
A reduced adjective clause begins with either a present participle or a past participle.

Rule 1

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE VERB IN THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

I saw a man who was

who was carrying an umbrella “was carrying” is active
carrying an umbrella.

Reduced to Reduced to

REDUCED TO

REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSE PRESENT PARTICIPLE

I saw a man carrying an

carrying an umbrella carrying
umbrella.

We use “carrying” in the reduced clause because it comes from the active verb in the original clause.

Rule 2

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE VERB IN THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

The people who worked

who worked there “worked” is active
there got a raise last year.

Reduced to Reduced to

REDUCED TO

REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSE PRESENT PARTICIPLE

The people working there

working there working
got a raise last year.

Rule 3

Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri

 ADJECTIVE CLAUSE VERB IN THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

The book which is sold here

which is sold here “is sold” is passive
is banned.

Reduced to Reduced to

REDUCED TO

REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSE PAST PARTICIPLE

The book sold here is

sold here sold
banned.

Reduce the adjective clause in the following sentences.

1. Who's the guy who is playing tennis with her?

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2. Canada, which is located north of the USA, is a little bigger and much colder.
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3. Bread which is made today won't be as fresh tomorrow.
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4. I'd like something that contains less sugar, please.
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5. Toronto, which is situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario, is the largest city in Canada.
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6. The Coca Cola Company, which was started in 1886, is still very successful.
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7. The people who were hired last month had to take a training course this month.
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8. Cars that need serious repairs will not be allowed on the road.
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9. I talked to the people who will do the exam next week.
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10. Students who want to study here this September must apply before July.
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Structure for the TOEFL – Faisal Umri