Relative Pronouns

Recognize an adjective clause Contains subject and a verb Begins with a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whom, or whose) or a relative adverb (when, where, or why) It will function as an adjective, answering the questions: What kind? How many? or Which one? Is a dependent clause, so it cannot stand alone Does not express a complete thought Must connect to a main (independent) clause

The adjective clause will follow one of these two patterns: pronoun or adverb + subject + verb relative pronoun as subject + verb Example: Whose big, brown eyes pleaded for another cookie Whose = relative pronoun; eyes = subject; pleaded = verb.

More Examples: That bounced across the kitchen floor That = relative pronoun functioning as subject; bounced = verb. Who hiccupped for seven hours afterward Who = relative pronoun functioning as subject; hiccupped = verb.

Punctuating Clauses NOTE: Essential Clauses do not require commas. An adjective clause is essential when you need the information it provides. Diane felt manipulated by her beagle Santana, whose big, brown eyes pleaded for another cookie. (nonessential) Growling ferociously, Oreo and Skeeter, Madison's two dogs, competed for the hardboiled egg that bounced across the kitchen floor. (essential) Laughter erupted from Annamarie, who hiccupped for seven hours afterward. (nonessential)

Punctuating Clauses Example: Broccoli, which people often leave uneaten, is very nutritious. (nonessential) “which people often leave uneaten” could be left out of the sentence and it would still make sense and be clear to the reader. Example: The vegetables that people leave uneaten are often the most nutritious. (essential) You have to have “that people leave uneaten” in the sentence because it explains which vegetables are often the most nutritious.