ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

Yes, the fun continues

THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE is a subordinate clause that is used to

modify a noun or a pronoun.

Answers Which one? How many? What kind?

Will be introduced by a RELATIVE PRONOUN

A Relative Pronoun RELATES to another word or idea in the sentence

Examples: who, whom, whose, which, that

EXAMPLES: Proverbs are sayings that usually give

advice.

Explanation: That is the relative pronoun. It introduces the adjective clause “that usually give advice.” THAT is referring back to or modifying the noun sayings.

PRACTICE: Trivia questions have been organized

into games that have become quite popular.

Write the adjective phrase Circle the relative Draw an arrow to the noun or pronoun

the clause modifies

PRACTICE: Trivia questions have been organized

into

games that have become quite popular.

The phrase “that have become quite popular” tells us more about the games.

MORE PRACTICE: A black hole, which results after a star

has

collapsed, can trap energy and matter.

Write the adjective phrase Circle the relative Draw an arrow to the noun or pronoun

the clause modifies

MORE PRACTICE: A black hole, which results after a star

has

collapsed, can trap energy and matter.

The clause “which results after a star has collapsed” tells us more about the black hole.

MORE Diane felt manipulated by her beagle

Santana, whose big, brown eyes pleaded for another cookie.

Chewing with her mouth open is one reason why Fred cannot stand sitting across from his sister Melanie.

Growling ferociously, Oreo and Skeeter, Madison's two dogs, competed for the hardboiled egg that bounced across the kitchen floor.

Laughter erupted from Annamarie, who hiccupped for seven hours afterward.

PUNCTUATING Punctuating Adjective Clauses is a little

more tricky.

You must decide… “Is this clause essential to

understanding the sentence?” OR

“Is this extra information that is not necessarily essential?”

ESSENTIAL CLAUSES Essential clauses do not require commas. An adjective clause is essential when you need

the information it provides.

Look at this example:The vegetables that people leave uneaten

are often the most nutritious.

Vegetables is nonspecific. To know which ones we are talking about, we must have the information in the adjective clause. Thus, the adjective clause is essential and requires no commas.

NON-ESSENTIAL CLAUSES If, however, we eliminate vegetables

and choose a more specific noun instead, the adjective clause becomes nonessential and does require commas to separate it from the rest of the sentence.

Read this revision: Broccoli, which people often leave

uneaten, is very nutritious.

PRACTICE PUNCUTATING