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Adjective
Clauses

What is an adjective clause?

An adjective clause is a type of a dependent clause that works as an adjective. It

comes right after the noun or the pronoun it modifies. An adjective clause starts
with the following subordinating conjunctions (relative pronouns):


 Who  Which
 Whom  Why
 Whose  Where
 That  When.

Essential adjective clause

Essential adjective clauses are dependent clauses that modify a noun or a pronoun with
essential or defining information. The noun or the pronoun they identify are not proper or
specific. An essential adjective clause is important to the meaning of the sentence as it
gives essential information about the noun or pronoun it modifies.

Examples:
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1. I don’t know anyone who can teach you boxing.

2. People who can control their minds live a highly successful life.
3. We are looking for a place where we party peacefully.
4. I know the reason why she broke up with you.
5. That was the year when we got married.
6. The box that you sent me yesterday was empty.
7. I still have the letter that she had written for me on Valentine’s day.

Try reading these sentences without the adjective clauses; the sentences will have a
completely different meaning without them. That’s why we are calling them essential
adjective clauses as they are essential to render the right meaning.

NOTE: Essential adjective clauses are also called : DEFINING ADJECTIVE CLAUSES.

Nonessential adjective clause

Nonessential adjective clauses are dependent clauses that modify a noun or a pronoun
with nonessential or non-defining information. The noun or the pronoun they identify are
proper (already identified), and that’s why they are offset using commas.

Nonessential adjective clauses are also called : NON DEFINING ADJECTIVE CLAUSES.

Examples:

1. Last month, we went on a trip to Auli, which is a beautiful place.

2. Jon Jones, who is the light heavyweight champion in the UFC, got arrested last night.
3. She doesn’t even know Max, whose bag she has stolen.
4. Russell Peter, who is a famous comedian, is coming back to India after 15 years.
5. Mangoes, which I love eating, are used in many dishes.

(Note that though ‘mangoes’ is a common noun, we are using commas before and after
the adjective clause as it just passes a comment on them, not identify them or tell us which
mangoes the speaker is talking about.)

Note that these adjective clauses are not essential to the core meaning of a sentence; they
are just giving bonus information, which does make a sentence more attractive and
meaningful, but they are not giving essential information about the nouns/pronouns they
are modifying as they are already identified/specified.

How to form an adjective clause in English?

There are 3 components that you need in order to form an adjective clause in English:
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1. Relative pronoun
2. The subject of the clause (noun or pronoun)
3. The verb of the subject
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EXERCISES
A. Underline the adjectival clause, and circle the relative pronoun in each
sentence.

1.
The artists who performed now are my students.
2.
Ben, whose contact details I have sent to you, needs help with his project.
3.
Gary whom we have recommended for captaincy is really stepping up.
4.
The original painting that the artist had signed on was a rare piece of art.
5.
We always cherish the time when we first met as kids.
6.
This small town that lies among the mountains is like from a fairy tale.
7.
Is this the coffee shop where you mostly spend your free time?
8.
The candidates who are representing our school are already here.
9.
One of my favorite movies, which has won two Oscars, is playing on TV.
10.
Joe whom we interviewed first is selected for the job.

B. Combine the sentences use an ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

1. The car is very expensive. My father buy it for my birthday present

__________________________________________________________
2. I know Ms. Maria. We met Ms. Maria at party last night
__________________________________________________________
3. I go to Paris for holiday. Paris is my favorite city.
__________________________________________________________
4. John is doing Mathematic homework. The homework must be submitted tomorrow
__________________________________________________________
5. The picture is very beautiful. Sarah was painting it.
__________________________________________________________
6. The birthday party is very interesting. I went to it.
__________________________________________________________
7. I have a new teacher. She came from England
__________________________________________________________
8. Ellis got a new package. The package was from her parents
__________________________________________________________
9. Joanna has a dinner in that restaurant. The restaurant is near the airport
__________________________________________________________
10. Michelle are sitting in the sofa. The sofa is made from sponge
__________________________________________________________
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C. Choose the best answer!

1. The university … I earned my Bachelor’s degree has built a new bussiness school
building.
a. which
b. where
c. that

2. I’d like to teach the children … were with us last weekend about forgiveness.
a. who
b. whom
c. which

3. Someone sent her a letter, … made her smile all day long.
a. whom
b. which
c. that

4. The little girl … is running down the hill is my neighbor’s daughter.

a. whom
b. who
c. which

5. The homeless was sleeping on the sidewalk, … was dirty and smell very bad.
a. that
b. which
c. where
6. Today is the day … most people in Indonesia get the day off.
a. that
b. which
c. when

7. The Bogor Palace, … was rebuilt in 1856, is one of Indonesia’s Presidential Palaces.
a. which
b. that
c. who
8. The movie … they watched was very interesting.
a. whose
b. whom
c. that
9. The student, … IQ is higher that Albert Einstein, loves to learn foreign languages.
a. who
b. whose
c. that

10. It was my classmate … hit the tennis ball over the net.
a. which
b. that
c. whom

11. Vina’s brother, … is extremely dilligent, named his new baby Tommy.
a. that
b. whom
c. who
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12. The car … was bought by Adam two year ago has broken down so many times.
a. whom
b. which
c. whose

13. The man … is eating ramen noodles on the convenience store lives near my house.
a. which
b. who
c. whom

14. The poor boy is sleeping on the mattress, … is too dirty and old.
a. which
b. that
c. whose

15. The worker … you are looking won’t be back to the office today.
a. whom
b. for whom
c. to whom

16. Marie Curie, … husband worked as a laboratory instructor, was a pioneer in the
field of radiology.
a. whose
b. who
c. whom

17. It was Sarah … couldn’t stop fooling around.

a. whom
b. that
c. which

18. People … eat fruits and vegetables may have more attractive skin color.
a. that
b. which
c. whom

19. The software … maker was unknown was used by many retailers.
a. that
b. whom
c. whose

20. The person … I want to send this package has moved to unknown location.
a. to whom
b. whom
c. from whom

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