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 exactly is an adjective clause in English grammar?
An adjective clause, also known as a relative clause, is a group of words with a subject and a verb that functions as an adjective. Its purpose is to modify or describe a noun or pronoun in the main sentence. Essentially, it provides more specific information, answering questions like “Which one?” or “What kind?” about the word it follows.
2. How can you identify an adjective clause in a sentence?
You can typically identify an adjective clause by looking for its starting word. It usually begins with a relative pronoun (such as who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative adverb (where, when, why). The entire clause will directly follow the noun or pronoun it is describing. For example, in the sentence “The book that I borrowed is fascinating,” the adjective clause is “that I borrowed,” and it describes the noun “book.”
3. What are the two main types of adjective clauses and how do they differ?
The two main types are essential (or restrictive) and non-essential (or non-restrictive) clauses, and they differ in both function and punctuation.
- Essential (Restrictive) Clause: This clause is vital to the sentence's meaning because it identifies which specific noun is being talked about. It is never set off by commas. Example: “The student who scored the highest mark won a prize.”
- Non-Essential (Non-Restrictive) Clause: This clause provides extra, non-critical information about a noun that is already clearly identified. It is always set off by commas. Example: “The captain, who is a skilled player, scored the winning goal.”
4. Could you provide some examples of adjective clauses using different relative pronouns?
Certainly. Here are examples of adjective clauses introduced by different words:
- Using 'who': The person who called earlier left a message for you.
- Using 'whose': She is the artist whose paintings are famous worldwide.
- Using 'which': The report, which is due tomorrow, is nearly complete.
- Using 'that': I enjoyed the movie that you recommended.
- Using 'where': This is the city where I grew up.
5. What is the key difference between an adjective clause and an adverb clause?
The key difference is the part of speech they modify. An adjective clause always modifies a noun or a pronoun, providing descriptive details about it. In contrast, an adverb clause modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, providing information about time (when), place (where), reason (why), or manner (how). For example, “This is the house where I was born” (adjective clause describing 'house') versus “I will stay where you stay” (adverb clause modifying 'stay').
6. Why are some adjective clauses essential to a sentence's meaning while others are not?
The importance of an adjective clause depends entirely on whether it is needed to identify the noun it describes. An essential (restrictive) clause is critical because it narrows down or specifies a general noun. Without it, the sentence's meaning would be unclear or incomplete (e.g., “The car that has a flat tire needs repair.” We need the clause to know *which* car). A non-essential clause is not vital because it describes a noun that is already specific (like a proper name or a unique item). It just adds extra information (e.g., “My car, which is blue, needs repair.” We already know it's *my* car).
7. What is the specific punctuation rule for adjective clauses?
The punctuation rule is simple and directly tied to the clause type. You must use commas to enclose a non-essential adjective clause. The commas signal that the information is additional and can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning. Conversely, you must never use commas with an essential adjective clause, as it is an integral part of the sentence's structure.
8. Can you use 'that' and 'which' interchangeably in adjective clauses?
While they are often confused, there is a formal rule, especially in American English, that distinguishes their use:
- 'That' is preferred for introducing essential (restrictive) clauses that are necessary to the meaning. Example: “Here is the pen that you were looking for.”
- 'Which' is used to introduce non-essential (non-restrictive) clauses, and it is always preceded by a comma. Example: “The pen, which is out of ink, is on the desk.”
9. How can an adjective clause be reduced to make a sentence more concise?
An adjective clause can often be shortened into an adjective phrase to create more elegant and concise sentences. This is typically done by removing the relative pronoun and the 'be' form of the verb. For instance, the sentence “The girl who is sitting by the window is reading a book” can be reduced to “The girl sitting by the window is reading a book.” This transformation from a clause to a phrase makes the writing more dynamic.
