Adjective clauses english grammar

Adjective Clauses
What is an adjective clause?
An adjective clause (also called adjectival clause) is a dependent clause which modifies
a noun and usually begins with a relative pronoun (which, that, who, whom, whose) or a
relative adverb (where, when, why).

Examples:
•

Students who work hard get good grades.
→ The adjective clause who work hard modifies the noun students.

•

The book which you lent me is very interesting.
→ The adjective clause which you lent me modifies the noun the book.

•

Leila, whose father is a famous poet, invited me to her birthday party.
→ The adjective clause whose father is a famous poet modifies the noun Leila.

•

My grandmother remembers the days when there were no personal
computers.
→ The adjective clause when there were no personal computers modifies the
noun the days.

There are two types of adjective clauses:
•

restrictive or defining clauses

•

non-restrictive or non-defining clauses

Restrictive / Defining Clauses
Restrictive (also called defining) clauses give essential information about the noun. These
clauses don't require commas.

Examples
•

The man who is standing there is a secret agent.

•

The writer who won the Nobel Prize is from Colombia.


Non-restrictive / non-defining clauses
Non-restrictive (also called non-defining) clauses give extra or non-essential
information about the noun. These clauses require commas.

Examples
•

Fast food, which most people love, is not very healthy at all.

•

My uncle, who is a farmer, lives in the countryside.