1. Adjective Clauses

2. Adjective clauses – What? A clause that modifies a noun or pronoun A clause that modifies a noun or pronoun Begins with these pronouns: Begins with these pronouns: Who (he, she) Who (he, she) Whom (him, her) Whom (him, her) Whose (possessive) Whose (possessive) Which (objects) Which (objects) that (objects) that (objects)

3. Adjective clauses – What? Examples: She likes the boy who just walked in. The boy whom she kissed is not her boyfriend. The boy whose bike was stolen walked home. The book that I am reading is too long. That shirt, which I will never wear again, makes me look fat.

4. Adjective clauses – Why? To give your writing flavor, variety, and a smooth flow To give your writing flavor, variety, and a smooth flow To eliminate repetitive language To eliminate repetitive language To use words economically and “write tight” To use words economically and “write tight” Good: Mark Twain is the most celebrated humorist in American History. He wrote Life on the Mississippi. Better: Mark Twain, who is the most celebrated humorist in American History, wrote Life on the Mississippi.

5. Adjective clauses – Where? Adjective clauses should follow the noun they are modifying. Adjective clauses should follow the noun they are modifying. NOT We gave all the food to the cat that was left over. BUT We gave all the food that was left over to the cat.

6. Adjective clauses – How? How an adjective clause is punctuated depends on whether they are essential (restrictive) essential (restrictive)or nonessential (nonrestrictive) nonessential (nonrestrictive)

7. Adjective clauses – How? Essential adjective clauses are necessary for the modified noun to be identified. As in: The boy who lives down the street got arrested. The dress that I wore today is my favorite. The lady whose phone went off was obnoxious.

8. Adjective clauses – How? See how the noun is no longer identified? The boy got arrested. The dress is my favorite. The lady was obnoxious.

9. Adjective clauses – How? Essential adjective clauses are not set off from the rest of the sentence by commas. *Note: “that” is always used for essential clauses, and therefore never needs commas.

10. Adjective clauses – How? Nonessential adjective clauses are not necessary for the modified noun to be identified. As in: The Princess Bride, which is my favorite movie, is on TBS. My brother, who lives in Brazil, came to visit. Connor, whose car was stolen last week, has been walking to school.

11. Adjective clauses – How? The noun is still identified: The Princess Bride is on TBS. My brother came to visit. Connor has been walking to school.

12. Adjective clauses – How? Nonessential adjective clauses are always set off from the rest of the sentence by commas. *Note: “which” is always used for nonessential clauses and therefore always needs commas.

13. Adjective clauses – Who? or Whom? “who” is used when the noun being modified acts as the subject “who” is used when the noun being modified acts as the subject “whom” is used when the noun being modified acts as the object “whom” is used when the noun being modified acts as the object

14. Adjective clauses – Who? or Whom? “who” is used when the noun being modified acts as the subject “who” is used when the noun being modified acts as the subject My mom, who loves me, is visiting from Miami. Who is loving? My mom = who

15. Adjective clauses – Who? or Whom? “whom” is used when the noun being modified acts as the object “whom” is used when the noun being modified acts as the object My mom, whom I love, is visiting from Miami. Who is being loved? My mom = whom

16. Adjective clauses – Your Turn Combine sentences to create a complex sentence by using an adjective clause. Combine sentences to create a complex sentence by using an adjective clause. You will include adjective clauses in your upcoming writing assignment! You will include adjective clauses in your upcoming writing assignment!