Adjective Clauses

must have a subject and verb

 Types of clauses
Independent or main clauses
Dependent or subordinate clauses
My favorite?
 Pretest
The people live in Florida are used to
warm, sunny weather for much of the
year. (Whats wrong?)

The people who live in Florida are used

to warm, sunny weather for much of the
year.
 In high school, the students who their cars
were illegally parked would get a ticket.
(Whats wrong?)

In high school, the students whose cars

were illegally parked would get a ticket.

In high school the students who parked

their car illegally would get a ticket.
 After college, David wants to find a job
which he will need to use mathematics.
(Whats wrong?)

After college, David wants to find a job in

which he will need to use mathematics.
 One chemistry experiment in particular
that I did it in Chemistry 2A gave me the
idea that I might want to major in
chemistry in college. (Whats wrong?)

One chemistry experiment in particular

that I did in Chemistry 2A gave me the
idea that I might want to major in
chemistry in college. (no it)
 Grammar Guidelines
Relative clauses are adjective clauses
Formed with relative Formed with relative
pronouns: adverbs:
Who When
Whom Where
Whose Why
Which
That
 1. Subject of adjective clause
who = people
that = people or things
which = things
The teacher called out the names of the
students who (that) were absent.

The book that was left on the table is no

longer there.
2. Direct object in an adjective clause
whom = people
that = people or things
which = things
The student whom (that) they chose to be
editor of the class newspaper does not
want the job. [They chose him.]
I think that the gift that (which) I found will
please Samuel.
These relative clauses can be omitted
 3. Whom and which
as object of a preposition.

The person for whom these plane

reservations were made never picked up
the tickets.

The history class in which Adela enrolled

requires a term paper.
 4. Whose = possessive
for person or thing

The person whose books are on the table

will be back soon.

Eric fixed my car as well as the car whose

transmission was broken.
 5. Relative adverbs:
when, where, why modifying nouns
The restaurant where we ate is only open
for dinner.

Tell me the reason why you had so much

difficulty with the exam.

I will never forget the time when the

teacher got mad at us in class.
 Commas ,,,,
The information is needed = no comma
Restrictive (essential)

The information not needed = comma

Nonrestrictive (nonessential)
 Nonrestrictive or Nonessential
My mother, who is 91 years old, lives in a
retirement community.
My math professor, who loves to cook,
invited us all to dinner at his house.
Thomas Jefferson, whose home was in
Virginia, always loved to return there.
Pepes restaurant, where we often eat,
has an excellent buffet.
My fall schedule, which I arranged very
carefully, is not working.
 Problem 1:
Adjective Clause Missing
Alienation is noticeable among people
come from different cultural backgrounds.

Alienation is noticeable among people

who (or that) come from different cultural
backgrounds.
 There are more than one in three
marriages will end in divorce.

There are more than one in three

marriages that (or which) will end in
divorce.

More than one in three marriages will end

in divorce. (No relative clause needed)
 Problem 2: Incorrect Formation
I just met the people. I am planning to rent
their house this summer. (combine the sentences)

I just met the people who their house I am

planning to rent for the summer.

I just met the people whose house I am

planning to rent for the summer.
 Cases have been found that even good
students resort to cheating in college due
to competition and the pressure to get
good grades.

Cases have been found in which even

good students resort to cheating in college
due to competition and the pressure to get
good grades.
 Problem 3 Missing Preposition
Whenever I get into a situation which it is
hard to make a decision, I try to look at it
from a different perspective.

Whenever I get into a situation in which it

is hard to make a decision, I try to look at it
from a different perspective.
 The person is not home. I was supposed
to return the key to him. (combine)

The person whom I was supposed to

return the key is not home. (incorrect)

The person to whom I was supposed to

return the key is not home.

The person whom I was supposed to

return the key to is not home.
 Problem 4 Unnecessary repetition
The people whom I have met them in my
class are very friendly.

The people whom I have met in my class

are very friendly.
 The End!

The lesson is over. Bro. Christensen gave

the lesson. (combine)

The lesson which Brother Christensen

gave is over.