Adjective Clauses

 Grammar-Quizzes
Relative Pronouns Framed | Unframed

 

 

Read & Contrast

 

An adjective clause uses pronouns to connect the dependent clause to the independent clause.

  • who      (people)
  • that      (things or people)
  • which  (things)

Woman on Phone

 

Using "Who"

WHO - SUBJECT OF THE CLAUSE WHOM - OBJECT OF THE CLAUSE

blue arrow-who modifies to the woman
The woman         who called you     is here.
                                She called you.

 blue arrow-whom modifies to the woman
The woman          (whom) you called      is here.
                                  You called her.

  OPTION: You can omit the object pronoun.

 

 

Using "That"

THAT / WHICH - SUBJECT OF THE CLAUSE THAT/ WHICH - OBJECT OF THE CLAUSE

blue arrow-that modifies phone
The phone         that is red     is here.
                             It is red.

 blue arrow-that modifies phone
The phone          that you bought     is here.
                               You bought it.
The phone          which is red      is here.
                               It is red		 The phone          which you bought     is here.
                               You bought it.

OPTION: "That" can also refer to a person; "which" cannot.

OPTION: You can omit the object pronoun.

 

 

 

Common Mistakes

ERRORS FIXES 
* The telephone is here that is yours. (The pronoun must be next to the word it modifies.) The phone that is yours is here.
* The man which you are talking about isn't a friend. The man that you are talking about isn't a friend. ("Which" cannot refer to a person; use "that".)

 

 

Omitting an Object Pronoun

CANNOT OMIT  - SUBJECT PRONOUN OF CLAUSE CAN OMIT  - OBJECT PRONOUN OF CLAUSE

blue arrow-who clause modifies woman
The woman         who called you     is here.
                              (She called you.)

 blue arrow-whom clause modifies woman
The woman          (whom) you called      is here.
                                (You called her.)
The phone           that is red         is here.
                              (It is red.)		 The telephone     (that) you bought        is here.
The phone          which is red      is here The telephone     (which) you bought     is here.

 

 
 

Practice

 

Which relative pronoun(s) can complete each sentence?

Note that an adjective clause is dependent on the main clause.  For that reason, you will notice the adjective clause or the main clause sounds awkward or strange when trying to stand alone as a sentence.

# YOUR RESPONSE OPTIONS

1


My friend told me about a student.  The student has taken the TOEFL test twelve times!




 


 
2

The professor didn't know the answer to my question. I talked to the professor.


 
3

I am looking for a college program. The program offers a lot of computer courses.






 


 
4

Some of the courses have been very useful.  I took the courses last semester.







 
5

My friend studies with me in the afternoon. My friend is in my Networks class.







0 (omit the pronoun)

 
6

Computer Information Systems is the kind of major.  The major will guarantee a good job after graduation.







 
7

The class was Programming with PHP.  I didn't do will in the class.


 
8

The courses are mostly graphic arts classes.  The courses are taught in th evening.


 
9.

You should always study the subjects.  You really like the subjects.


 
10.

A person will do well in life.  A person has a positive outlook.

 
   

 

 
 

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Julie Sevastopoulos - ESL Department - College of San Mateo - San Mateo, CA 94402 USA