“Which” Clauses&

Adjective Phrases

“Which” Clauses

• Non restrictive

• Modify the main clause

• Relative not subordinate

,

How it looks:

• I told my professor that I needed extra time on the exam, which was better than leaving the test unfinished.

• Main Clause: “I told my professor that I needed extra time on the exam”

• “Main clause” was better than leaving the test unfinished.

You try!

• Complete each sentence using a “which” clause:

1. I lost my cell phone, ______________________________.

2. My professor gave me extra time to finish the exam, _________________.

3. The research clearly proves that drinking more than four cups of coffee a

day is harmful for your health, __________________________________.

4. Last night there was a terrible storm, _____________________________.

Adjective Phrases

• Formed from adjective clauses using the “be” verb:

• Only those students who are failing the course will be offered extra credit.

• Omit the relative pronoun (“who”) and the “be” verb (“are”):

• Only those students failing the course will be offered extra credit.

Using adjective phrases can make a sentence more concise!

• Prepositional phrase• Any food that is on the floor may not be eaten. • Any food on the floor may not be eaten.

• Adjective phrase• The man in the red suit was carrying a bag that was heavy with toys. • The man in the red suit was carrying a bag heavy with toys.

• Progressive/Continuous verb• This car is perfect for a family that is planning to travel. • This car is perfect for a family planning to travel.

• Passive Verb• The teacher held up a notebook that was left in the classroom yesterday. • The teacher held up a notebook left in the classroom yesterday.

• Noun phrase• Amber Smith, who is my best friend in the world, is getting married. • Amber Smith, my best friend in the world, is getting married.

Other Verbs• Only works for some adjective clauses

• Cannot be used if reduction would change the meaning of the sentence

How it is formed:

This building does not allow pets that weigh over 40 pounds.

-Omit the relative pronoun (“that”)

-Change the verb to the present participle (“weighing”)

“This building does not allow pets weighing over 40 pounds.

You try!• Please follow all the directions that are listed on your paper.

• He took off his coat and shoes, which were muddy and cracked from hours of working in the fields.

• The food that is thrown out every week could feed a small country.

• The cough that kept her up at night was getting worse.

• Animals that live in the wild are forced to venture into populated areas for food.

• Source:

Bland, Susan Kesner, Alice Savage, and Patricia Mayer. Grammar Sense 4. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print.