Relative clauses are useful linking devices, since they allow two pieces ofinformation about a noun or pronoun (the information in the main clause and theinformation in the relative clause) to be conveyed within a single sentence, without repetition of the noun or pronoun. As with other modifiers, punctuation withadjective clauses is determined by whether the clauses are restrictive or nonrestrictive.Ī relative clause is an adjective clause introduced by a relative pronoun, which joins the clause to some wordin the main clause. A common type of adjectiveclause is the relative clause. Anadjective clause usually immediately follows the noun or pronoun it modifies (see Misplaced Modifiers). ( Who is the subject of the dependent clause.) Hint: When choosing between who and whom, consider how the pronoun is used in the dependent clause, not the independent clause.Adjective clauses are dependent clauses used to modify nouns or pronouns. ( Which is the subject of the verb used.)ĭaniel, who was late again today, sits next to me in English. My blue tennis shoes, which used to be my mom's, were under the bed.

( That is the direct object of the infinitive to climb.) There is the mountain that we are going to climb. The relative pronoun has a grammatical function in the sentence. Who is replacing Daniel in the second clause and relating it to the subject of the independent clause.) (Antecedent = Daniel, Who = Daniel, so the dependent clause means Daniel was late again today. Which is a pronoun replacing shoes in the dependent clause shoes used to be my mom's and relating it to the subject of the independent clause.)ĭaniel, who was late again today, sits next to me in English. That connects the clause we are going to climb that with the antecedent.) The relative pronoun shows the relationship between the clause and the antecedent. With relative pronouns - An adjective clause generally begins with a relative pronoun ( that, which, who, whom, whose) that connects the clause to the noun or pronoun it modifies.

What are adjective clauses