Adjective Clause

An adjective clause is an important part of English grammar that helps add detail to your sentences. It works like an adjective, providing more information about a noun or pronoun. Learning to use adjective clauses can make your English more descriptive and engaging. This guide will explain everything you need to know about adjective clauses in simple and clear terms, with plenty of examples to help you practice.

Table of Contents

What is an Adjective Clause?

Adjective Clause Definition

An adjective clause is a group of words that describes or gives more information about a noun or pronoun. It contains a subject and a verb, making it a clause, and it functions like an adjective.
Example:

The book that I borrowed from the library is fascinating.

Here, the adjective clause “that I borrowed from the library” describes the noun “book.”

Why Are Adjective Clauses Important in English?

Adjective clauses help you add detail and clarity to your sentences. Instead of writing multiple short sentences, you can combine ideas with adjective clauses to make your writing smoother and more engaging.

Characteristics of an Adjective Clause

How Adjective Clauses Function in Sentences

Adjective clauses always modify a noun or pronoun in a sentence. They answer questions like:

Which one?
What kind?
Example:
The car that she drives is very fast. (Which car? The one she drives.)

Identifying an Adjective Clause

An adjective clause often begins with a relative pronoun (like who, whom, whose, that, or which) or a relative adverb (like when, where, or why).

Parts of an Adjective Clause

Relative Pronouns Used in Adjective Clauses

Relative pronouns connect the adjective clause to the noun or pronoun it describes.

Who: Refers to people.

Example: The teacher who taught me was kind.

Whom: Refers to people (object of the verb).

Example: The person whom I called didn’t answer.

Whose: Shows possession.

Example: The student whose homework is missing will stay late.

That: Refers to people or things.

Example: The book that I read was interesting.

Which: Refers to things.

Example: The pen which I bought yesterday is blue.

The Role of Subject and Verb in an Adjective Clause

Every adjective clause must have a subject and a verb.
Example:

The house that has a red roof is mine.

Subject: That
Verb: Has

Types of Adjective Clauses

Defining Adjective Clauses

A defining adjective clause gives essential information about the noun. Without it, the meaning of the sentence changes.
Example:

The man who lives next door is a doctor. (This tells us which man we are talking about.)

Non-Defining Adjective Clauses

A non-defining adjective clause gives extra information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. It is separated by commas.
Example:

My sister, who lives in New York, is visiting us next week. (The clause adds detail but is not necessary to identify my sister.)

Examples of Adjective Clauses in Sentences

Adjective Clauses Describing People

The girl who won the race is my friend.
The teacher whom we respect is retiring.

Adjective Clauses Describing Objects

The phone that I bought yesterday is already broken.
The book which I borrowed is very interesting.

Adjective Clauses Describing Places

The park where we used to play has been renovated.
The city that I visited last year is beautiful.

How to Form Adjective Clauses

Combining Sentences Using Adjective Clauses

You can combine two sentences into one by using an adjective clause.
Example:

Original sentences: I know the woman. She is wearing a red dress.
Combined: I know the woman who is wearing a red dress.

Common Errors to Avoid

Missing a relative pronoun:

Incorrect: The movie I watched yesterday was amazing.
Correct: The movie that I watched yesterday was amazing.

Overusing commas in defining clauses:

Incorrect: The boy, who is running fast, will win the race.
Correct: The boy who is running fast will win the race.