Adjective Clause

An adjective clause is a multiword adjective that includes a subject and a

verb.

When we think of an adjective, we usually think about a single word used

before a noun to modify its meanings
(e.g., tall building, smelly cat, argumentative assistant). However, an
adjective can also come in the form of an adjective clause. An adjective
clause usually comes after the noun it modifies and is made up of several
words, which, like all clauses, will include a subject and a verb.

The Function
Adjective clause have entirely the same function as the adjective which are:

Modifies a noun; that is, it provides more detail about a noun. Adjectives
usually occur just before the nouns they modify and also can follow a linking
verb and modify pronouns as well.

Examples of Adjective Clauses

Here are some examples of adjective clauses:
• The windows that you installed last year have warped.
• The carpets that you bought last year have rotted.
• The follies which a man regrets most in his life are those which he
didn't commit when he had the opportunity. (US journalist Helen
Rowland, 1876-1950)
(Even though this is a quotation by an American journalist,
nowadays, most writers in the US would use that instead
of which. There's more on this below.)
• Bore: a person who talks when you wish him to listen.
• Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can
see. (Writer Mark Twain)

The Components of a Relative Clause

An relative clause has the following three components:
• Component 1. It is headed by a relative pronoun ("who,"
"whom," "whose," "that," or "which") or a relative adverb ("when,"
"where," or "why").
(This links it to the noun it is modifying.)
(Note: Quite often, the relative pronoun can be omitted. However,
with a relative clause, it is always possible to put one in. There is
more on this below.)
• Component 2. It has a subject and a verb.
(These are what make it a clause.)
• Component 3. It tells us something about the noun.
(This is why it is a type of adjective.)

Look at the three components in this example:

Often, the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause. Look at the three
components in this example:
The Relative Pronoun Can Be Omitted
It is common for the relative pronoun to be omitted. For example:
• The carpets which you bought last year have gone moldy.
• The windows that you installed last year have warped.
• The film which you recommended scared the kids half to
death.
• The follies which a man regrets most in his life are
those which he didn't commit when he had the
opportunity. (Helen Rowland, 1876-1950)
This is not always possible though:
• Bore: a person who talks when you wish him to listen.
When the relative clause starts with a relative adverb ("when," "where" or
"why"), the relative adverb cannot be omitted.
• There comes a time when money doesn't matter. (Boxer Floyd
Mayweather)
(You can often omit a relative pronoun, but you can't omit a
relative adverb. So, you can't omit "when" in this example.)

There are two common questions related to adjective clauses.

(Question 1) Should I use a comma
before which?
This is by far the most common question related to adjective clauses. The
answer applies to all adjective clauses, not just those that start with which.

So, do you offset an adjective clause with commas or not? The answer is
sometimes yes and sometimes no. The rule is this:
• Don't use commas if your clause is essential; i.e., it is required to
identify its noun. (This is called a restrictive clause.)
• Do use commas if your clause is just additional information. (This
is called a non-restrictive clause.)
 A Good Tip

If you would happily put brackets around it or delete it, then use commas.
Here is an example of a non-restrictive clause:

• My brother, who claimed to have a limp, sprinted after the bus.

(This clause is not required to identify My brother. It is just
additional information.)
• My brother (who claimed to have a limp) sprinted after the bus.
(As it's just additional information, you can put it in brackets.)
• My brother sprinted after the bus.
(As it's just additional information, you can even delete it.)

Compare this to a restrictive clause:

 • The tramp who claimed to have a limp sprinted after the bus.
(This clause is required to identify The tramp. Without it, we don't
know which tramp we're talking about.)
• The tramp (who claimed to have a limp) sprinted after the bus.
(This sentence is only appropriate if we know which tramp we're
talking about.)
• The tramp sprinted after the bus.
(This sentence is only appropriate if we know which tramp we're
talking about.)

(Question 2) What's the difference

between that and which?
Which and that are interchangeable, provided we're talking
about which without a comma.

When which starts a restrictive clause (i.e., a clause not offset with commas),
you can replace it with that. In fact, Americans will insist you use that instead
of which for a restrictive clause.
• Mark's dog which ate the chicken is looking guilty. (but in
America or at least widely disliked)
(Americans baulk at which without a comma. They insist on that.)
• Mark's dog that ate the chicken is looking guilty.
(This version is acceptable for all. It will stop you getting hate
mail from Americans.)
For many, even Brits, that sounds more natural with a restrictive clause. And,
this is something we can use. If all this talk of restrictive and non-restrictive
clauses is confusing, try replacing your which with that. If your sentence still
sounds good, you almost certainly want which without a comma. This trick
works because that can only be used with a restrictive clause, and – whether
you consciously know it or not – some language-processing area of your brain
does.

The "that substitution" trick also works with who, but be aware that some of
your readers might not like that used for people.
• The burglar who is suing the homeowner was booed in court.
• The burglar that is suing the homeowner was booed in court.
(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. So, if
your clause starting who sounds okay with that, then revert
to who without commas.)

Key Points
• If you'd happily delete your clause, then it's not a restrictive
clause, and it should be offset with commas.
• Don't start a restrictive clause with which if you're American or
writing to Americans. Use that instead.
• Use who not that for people. Who is a bit sharper.