ADJECTIVAL CLAUSES

Definition

An adjectival clause is a clause that

is also called a relative clause functions as an adjective

*is used to modify a noun or a pronoun – to identify people and things, or to give more information about them

*is introduced by a relative pronoun or a relative adverb

Ex: - Have you ever spoken to a person? That person lives next door.


  • Have you ever spoken to the person who lives next door?

Two types of adjectival clauses

Defining/ Restrictive/ Identifying


Ex: I’ve talked to the woman who owns the hotel next door.

Non-Defining/ Non-Restrictive/ Non-Identifying
Ex: I’ve talked to Ms. Jones, who owns the hotel next door.( give more information for Ms. Johns, can remove)

used to help identify/ define the person(s) or thing(s) that the noun/ pronoun refers to

not separated (from the independent clause) by commas in writing and by pauses in speech

cannot be omitted without influencing the grammaticality and meaning of the whole sentence

used to add extra information about the person(s) or thing(s) that the noun/ pronoun refers to

separated by commas


can be ommited

Must use "that"

Nouns referring to both people and things
Ex: She talked about the people and places that she had visited

Indefinite pronouns(nobody, something, someone)
Ex: Is there someone(that) you'd like to call?

All, some, any, none, little, few, much as pronouns(without nouns following) Ex: These books are all that my sister left me.

only
Ex: You are the only person that can help us.

superlatives
Ex: He was the most interesting person that I have ever met

ordinate
Ex: This is the second time (that) I've spoken in public

Do not use "that"

which-> a whole clauses

after pronouns

Omitting relative pronouns(whom, which, that)
Ex: 1. Do you remember the book which I lent you last week? ✅

  1. Do you remember the book which was sold in today's auction? ❌
  2. Do you know the woman that I talked to yesterday? ✅
  3. Have you talked to Ms. Johns, whom I introduced to you? ❌
  4. Have you talked to Ms. Johns,who owns the hotel next door? ❌
    => in defining clauses=> object in relative pronouns

Never omitting relative adverbs Ex: Do you remember the place where we first met?

  1. Could you please tell me when the meeting started?

Relative pronouns in phrases of quantity and quality

*quantifier + of WHOM/ WHICH … SOME of WHOM/ WHICH …

…EACH of WHOM/ WHICH …

…ALL of WHOM/ WHICH …

Ex: The members of the special commission on crime, SOME OF WHOM were appointed by the mayor, meet weekly.

*the superlative form + of WHOM/ WHICH … the first of WHOM/ WHICH …

… the best of WHOM/ WHICH …

… the smallest of WHOM/ WHICH …

Ex She has five sports cars, THE COOLEST OF WHICH is a Convertible.

Reducing adjectival clauses

When the relative pronoun is subject
Ex: Who is the girl WHO/THAT is dancing with your brother?
=> Who is the girl dancing with your brother?


Using a present or past participle

the difference between nominal clauses and adjectival clauses

I don’t like the news that she gave you.

I don’t like the news that she’s got promoted