Adjective clauses

Adjective clauses modify nouns or pronouns, usually answering the question Which one? or What kind of? They begin with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, or that) or a relative adverb (when, where, or why).

What kind of flower grows quickly? A flower that is planted in summer. Which players did the coach choose? Players who would benefit from intense drills.

In addition to introducing the clause, the relative pronoun points back to the noun that the clause modifies.

The relative pronoun that introduces the clause that goes unread and also points back to the noun book.

Relative pronouns are sometimes “understood.”

The relative pronoun that is not necessary in the sentence The things we cherish most are the things we might lose.

Order of elements in adjective clauses

The parts of an adjective clause are often arranged as in sentences (subject/verb/object or complement).

Frequently, however, the object or complement appears first, violating the normal order of subject/verb/object.

Words that introduce subordinate clauses

Style note: Reducing relative clauses

Exercise: Subordinate clauses 1

Exercise: Subordinate clauses 2

Exercise: Subjects of subordinate clauses

Exercise: Phrases and clauses

Related topics:

Commas with adjective clauses

Avoiding repetition on adjective clauses

noun The name of a person, place, thing, or an idea.

pronoun A word used in place of a noun. Usually the pronoun substitutes for a specific noun, known as its antecedent.