Adjective ClausesAdjectives – word/s that describe a noun.

He is afraid of pink cats.

He is afraid of cats which/that are pink.

Adjectives come before the words they modify.Adjective clauses come after the words they modify.

Adjective Clauses

He is afraid of cats which/that are pink.

The lion which he saw was pink.

What other words could be used here?

Adjective Clauses

He is afraid of the lion whose mane is pink.

Why use whose?

The lion possesses/ “owns”The mane.

Subject of the clause – “mane”

Adjective Clauses

He is afraid of the lion who has a pink mane.

Why use who?

Because it is the subject of the clause.

Subject of the clause – “who”

Object of a PrepositionThe woman with whom I talked said she loves purple dogs. (Formal)

The woman I talked with said she loves purple dogs. (Informal- more common)

Where in Adj. Clauses?

“The woman who owns the purple dog lives in the house (where, in which, which, that,0) I used to live (in).”

Notice – NEVER “in that I used to live.” Also, you must have an “in” at the end of the clause if you use a “that” in the beginning.

When in Adj. Clauses?

“There was a day (when, on which, that, 0)I saw the woman painting the poor dog purple.”

Notice – You can use “that” without a preposition at the end of the clause.

Punctuating Adj. Clauses

Purple dogs, which are crazy, often bite other dogs.

Purple dogs which are crazy often bite other dogs.

The question is, “Do we need it?” What’s the difference in meaning? In the first sentence, all purple dogs bite other dogs. In the second, only the crazy purple dogs bite.

Punctuating Adj. Clauses

Mrs. Jones, who owns the most purple dogs, swears that they are beautiful.

The woman who owns the purple dogs swears that they are beautiful.

Which clause do we need to know which woman we are speaking of?

Essential vs. Non-essential

More tips at eslcommando.blogspot.com