The Adjective Clause :
An Adjective Clause does the work of an Adjective in relation to some Noun or Pronoun in some other clause. The only kind of connective word by which an Adjective Clause can be introduced is a Relative Pronoun or Relative Adverb and then only when the Relative is used in a Restrictive sense.
If the Relative is used in a Continuative sense, the sentence is Multiple and not Complex.
1. Among the men
who came here today, not one turned out to be suitable for the post. [Here the italicized clause qualifies or restricts
men]
2. We found the wolf lying dead in the very place
where it was shot.
(Here the italicised clause qualifies or restricts
place.)
3. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
4. The moment which is lost is lost for ever.
The Relative Pronoun or the Relative Adverb, provided it would be in the Accusative Case and provided its sense is Restrictive and not Continuative, is often left out.
1. The food he needed (= which or that he needed) was not procured without a great deal of trouble.
2. He gave me everything I asked for (= which or that I asked for).
3. I am monarch of all I survey (= that I survey).
4. He has a brother I know well (= whom I know well)
5. On the day (when) you get married, you shall have a thousand pounds.
6. The reason (why) she has returned is that she did not get the job.
Here are examples of who (and which) used to introduce Coordinate Clauses.
1. I met Mr. John, who (= and he) told me about your illness. [Here the Clause
who told me about your illness is not an Adjective Clause, as it does not in any way identify or describe Mr. John. It is a Coordinate Clause.]
2. He was brought before the King, who (= and he) at once condemned him to death.
3. He gave me a picture, which (= and it) is hanging in my study.
4. He told me a secret which (= but this) I must not reveal.
Adjective Clause may also be introduced by
as after
such and
same.
1. He was wearing the same suit as he had on when I last saw him.
2. We are such stuff as dreams are made of.
Sometimes an Adjective Clause is introduced by BUT where it is equivalent to a Relative Pronoun followed by NOT.
1. There was not a man present but wept to hear such sad news. [That is, who did not weep to hear such sad news.]
2. There was not a boy of the five hundred but loved and honoured him. [That is, who did not love and honour him.]
Sample Sentences with Adjective Clause
RELATED PAGES :
- The Adjective
- An Adjective
- Attribute Position of Adjective
- Predicative Position of Adjective
- Kinds of Adjectives
- Proper Adjectives
- Descriptive Adjectives
-
Quantitative Adjectives ( Adjectives of Quantity )
- Qualitative Adjectives ( Adjectives of Quality )
- Numeral Adjectives ( Adjectives of Number )
- Definite Numeral Adjectives
- Indefinite Numeral Adjectives
- Demonstrative Adjectives ( Demonstrative Adjective )
- Definite Demonstrative Adjectives
- Definite Demonstratives
- Indefinite Demonstrative Adjectives
- Indefinite Demonstratives
- Distributive Adjectives
- Interrogative Adjectives
-
Exclamatory Adjectives
- Possessive Adjectives
- Possessive Determiners
- First Person Possessive Adjectives
- Second Person Possessive Adjectives
- Third Person Possessive Adjectives
- Emphasizing Adjectives
- Coordinate Adjectives
- Paired Adjectives
- Cumulative Adjectives
- Non-Coordinate Adjectives
- Two Uses of Adjectives
- Attributive Use of Adjectives
- Predicative Use of Adjectives
- The Degrees of Comparison
- Comparison of Adjectives
- Latin Comparatives of Adjectives
- Irregular Comparisons of Adjectives
- Formation of Comparatives and Superlatives
- Formation of Comparative and Superlative
- Uses of Quantitative Adjectives
- Uses of Numeral Adjectives
- Definite Numeral Quantities
- Uses of Demonstrative Adjectives
- Uses of Distributive Phrases
- Uses of Distributive Adjectives
- Example Sentences with suitable Adjectives
- Uses of Degrees of Comparison of Adjectives
- Uses of Positive Degree of Comparison of Adjectives
- Uses of Comparative Degree of Comparison of Adjectives
- Uses of Superlative Degree of Comparison of Adjectives
- Use of The Comparative Degree
- OTHER after Positives and Comparatives
- Preferables in English Grammar
- Double Comparatives
- Double Superlatives
- Comparatives which have lost their force
- Latin Comparatives
- English Comparatives
- Adjectives used as Nouns
- Adjectives in Pairs
- Adjectives preceded by THE
- Position of Adjectives
- Adjectives Used Attributively
- Adjectives Used Predicatively
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