Adjective Clause
An adjective clause (also known as adjectival or relative clause) is a subordinate clause used to modify a noun or a pronoun in the main clause.
An adjective clause will meet three requirements: * First, it will contain a subject and verb. * Next, it will begin with a relative pronoun [who, whom, whose,that, or which] or a relative adverb [when, where, or why]. * Finally, it will function as an adjective, answering the questionsWhat kind? How many? or Which one?
The adjective clause will follow one of these two patterns:
Relative pronoun or adverb + subject + verb
Relative Pronoun as subject + verb
Here are some examples:0
Diane felt manipulated by her beagle Santana, whose big, brown eyes pleaded for another cookie.
Whose = relative pronoun; eyes = subject; pleaded = verb.
Chewing with her mouth open is one reason why Fred cannot stand sitting across from his sister Melanie.
Why = relative adverb; Fred = subject; can stand = verb [not, an adverb, is not officially part of the verb].
Growling ferociously, Oreo and Skeeter, Madison's two dogs, competed for the hardboiled egg that bounced across the kitchen floor.
That = relative pronoun functioning as subject; bounced = verb.
Laughter erupted from Annamarie, who hiccupped for seven hours afterward.
Who hiccupped for seven hours afterward.
Who = relative pronoun functioning as subject; hiccupped = verb.
Punctuating adjective clauses can be tricky. For each sentence, you will have to decide if the adjective clause is essential or nonessential and then use commas accordingly.
Essential clauses do not require commas. An adjective clause is essential when you need the information it provides. 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.
If, however, we eliminate
An adjective clause will meet three requirements: * First, it will contain a subject and verb. * Next, it will begin with a relative pronoun [who, whom, whose,that, or which] or a relative adverb [when, where, or why]. * Finally, it will function as an adjective, answering the questionsWhat kind? How many? or Which one?
The adjective clause will follow one of these two patterns:
Relative pronoun or adverb + subject + verb
Relative Pronoun as subject + verb
Here are some examples:0
Diane felt manipulated by her beagle Santana, whose big, brown eyes pleaded for another cookie.
Whose = relative pronoun; eyes = subject; pleaded = verb.
Chewing with her mouth open is one reason why Fred cannot stand sitting across from his sister Melanie.
Why = relative adverb; Fred = subject; can stand = verb [not, an adverb, is not officially part of the verb].
Growling ferociously, Oreo and Skeeter, Madison's two dogs, competed for the hardboiled egg that bounced across the kitchen floor.
That = relative pronoun functioning as subject; bounced = verb.
Laughter erupted from Annamarie, who hiccupped for seven hours afterward.
Who hiccupped for seven hours afterward.
Who = relative pronoun functioning as subject; hiccupped = verb.
Punctuating adjective clauses can be tricky. For each sentence, you will have to decide if the adjective clause is essential or nonessential and then use commas accordingly.
Essential clauses do not require commas. An adjective clause is essential when you need the information it provides. 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.
If, however, we eliminate