How to Identify and Use Adjective Clauses in Sentences
Adjective clauses help students to expand sentences, write better answers for exams, and understand complex reading. Knowing how to use adjective clauses makes your communication in school, tests, and daily life clearer and more detailed.
| Type | Definition | Example | Punctuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential (Defining) Adjective Clause | Gives necessary information for identifying the noun. | The students who study daily succeed. | No commas |
| Non-Essential (Non-Defining) Adjective Clause | Adds extra but not required information about the noun. | My brother, who lives abroad, called me. | Set off by commas |
What is an Adjective Clause?
An adjective clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that describes a noun or pronoun. Adjective clauses begin with words like who, whom, which, whose, or that. They add extra information so readers know exactly which person, place, or thing is meant.
How to Identify an Adjective Clause in a Sentence
- Check if a group of words is giving more information about a noun.
- See if it starts with a relative pronoun (who, which, that, whose, whom).
- Look for a subject and verb inside the group of words.
- Ask: Can this clause be removed without destroying sentence structure?
Common Relative Pronouns in Adjective Clauses
| Relative Pronoun | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Who | For people (subject) | The girl who sings well is my friend. |
| Whom | For people (object) | The person whom you called is here. |
| Whose | Shows possession | The child whose toy is lost is upset. |
| Which | For things/animals | The car which broke down is mine. |
| That | For people, things, or animals (defining only) | The book that you lent me is new. |
10 Examples of Adjective Clauses (with Answers)
- The bag that is on the table is mine. (“bag” is modified by the clause)
- She likes students who ask questions. (“students” is modified)
- This is the singer whose album won awards.
- We visited a museum which displays fossils.
- The movie that he recommended was fun.
- I know the teacher who helped you.
- Here is a place where we played as kids.
- The girl who finished first is my friend.
- The pen which writes smoothly is expensive.
- The story that inspired me is famous.
Types of Adjective Clauses Explained
| Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Defining (Restrictive) | Needed for meaning | Students who study hard pass exams. |
| Non-Defining (Non-Restrictive) | Extra, removable detail | My uncle, who is a doctor, travels a lot. |
How Adjective Clauses Improve Writing and Speaking
- Make descriptions more detailed and specific.
- Help combine short sentences for smoother writing.
- Answer grammar exam questions about sentence transformation.
- Clarify meaning by reducing confusion about “which person” or “which thing.”
Common Mistakes and Tips for Adjective Clauses
- Don’t use “that” in non-defining clauses—use “who” or “which” instead.
- Always use commas with non-defining adjective clauses.
- Use the correct relative pronoun for people vs. things.
- Avoid misplaced adjective clauses—place them directly after the noun.
- Check that your clause has both a subject and a verb.
Practice: Identify or Create Adjective Clauses (with Key)
- Underline the adjective clause in: The house that Jack built is old.
Answer: that Jack built - Combine: The car is blue. My father bought the car.
Answer: The car that my father bought is blue. - Complete: I trust people ___ are honest.
Answer: I trust people who are honest.
Related Grammar Topics
- Learn about all Types of Clauses in English.
- Read more Adjective Clause Examples and practice identification.
- See how adjective clauses differ from Adverb Clauses in sentences.
- Explore Relative Pronouns that introduce adjective clauses.
In summary, adjective clauses describe nouns and pronouns, making your writing clearer and more interesting. They are introduced with relative pronouns and can be essential or extra details. Practicing adjective clauses helps with school exams, spoken English, and building confidence in grammar. At Vedantu, we make grammar easier to understand for all students.
FAQs on Adjective Clause in English Grammar: Meaning, Rules & Examples
1. What is an adjective clause?
An adjective clause, also known as a relative clause, is a group of words containing a subject and a verb that modifies (describes) a noun or pronoun. It provides additional information about the noun or pronoun it modifies, answering questions like "Which one?" or "What kind?".
2. How do I identify an adjective clause?
Look for a clause that begins with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative adverb (where, when). The clause should have a subject and a verb and describe a noun or pronoun in the main clause. For example, in "The book that I borrowed was interesting," "that I borrowed" is the adjective clause describing "book."
3. What are the different types of adjective clauses?
There are two main types: essential (restrictive) and non-essential (non-restrictive). Essential clauses are necessary to identify the noun and are not set off by commas. Non-essential clauses provide extra information and are set off by commas. For example: *Essential*: "The car that needs repair is in the garage." *Non-essential*: "My car, which is blue, is in the garage."
4. What are some examples of adjective clauses?
Here are a few examples illustrating different relative pronouns:
- The dog that barks is friendly.
- The woman who called is waiting outside.
- The house where I grew up is still standing.
- The book whose cover is torn needs to be repaired.
- The movie which won the award was excellent.
5. What is the difference between an adjective clause and an adverb clause?
An adjective clause modifies a noun or pronoun, while an adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Adjective clauses answer "Which one?" or "What kind?" Adverb clauses answer questions like "How?", "When?", "Where?", "Why?", or "To what extent?"
6. Can an adjective clause modify a pronoun?
Yes, an adjective clause can modify a pronoun. For example: "He, who is always smiling, is a joy to be around."
7. What happens if you remove an adjective clause?
Removing an essential adjective clause changes the meaning of the sentence, often making it unclear or ambiguous. Removing a non-essential adjective clause simply removes extra information, but the core meaning remains intact.
8. How do I punctuate non-defining adjective clauses?
Non-defining adjective clauses are always set off by commas. For example: "My dog, who is very lazy, sleeps all day."
9. Can adjective clauses start with "where" or "when"?
Yes, "where" and "when" can introduce adjective clauses referring to place or time, respectively. For example: "This is the town where I was born." and "I remember the day when I met him."
10. Are relative clauses always adjective clauses?
Most relative clauses function as adjective clauses, modifying nouns or pronouns. However, some relative clauses can function as noun clauses depending on their role in the sentence.
11. Can I use "that" and "which" interchangeably?
While often interchangeable in defining clauses, "that" is generally preferred for essential clauses, while "which" is more common in non-essential clauses and often in more formal writing. The choice can affect the tone and style.
12. How can I reduce an adjective clause?
You can often shorten an adjective clause by removing the relative pronoun and sometimes the auxiliary verb, especially with essential clauses. For example, "The book that I am reading" can be reduced to "The book I am reading" or even "The book I'm reading".
