Adjective Clause Examples

Remember that some types of clauses are dependent, meaning that they cannot stand alone. They do not express a complete thought. Sometimes, these clauses are also called subordinate clauses. A dependent clause, or subordinate clause, can function in three ways in a sentence: as a noun, as an adjective, or as an adverb.

An adjective clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adjective in the sentence. Adjective clauses can also be called relative clauses. An adjective clause begins with a relative pronoun or a relative adverb. Often the relative pronoun or relative adverb will function as thesubject of the clause. Here is a list of relative pronouns:

who   whom   which   that   whose

Here is a list of relative adverbs:

when   why   where

How to find an adjective clause:

1) A dependent clause in a sentence will always contain both a subject and a verb. Make sure that when you find something you think is a clause that it does have a subject and a verb.

2) An adjective clause will begin with a relative pronoun or a relative adverb. Does the clause that you found begin with one of those?

3) Finally, does the clause answer the same types of questions that an adjective answers? Does it tell you which one, what kind, or how many? Does it give you more information about a noun or pronoun that comes before it? If so, then you have found an adjective clause.

Below are some examples of sentences containing adjective clauses, with explanations.

1) The lady who lives across the street is my aunt.

The subject of the clause is "who" and the verb is "lives". This clause is giving us more information about the "lady"-which one?

2) The book that is on the chair belongs to Marvin.

The subject of the clause is "that" and the verb is "is". This clause is giving us more information about the "book"-which one.

Here are some additional examples of sentences with adjective clauses.

3) I do not like people who are mean to animals. (gives more information about people)

4) Did you go to the school where my friend Jim goes? (gives more information about school)

5) The moment when the clown burst in to surprise the teacher was great! (gives more information about the moment)

6) The reason why I left is a secret. (gives more information about reason)

7) Can you see the bird that is on the fence? (gives more information about bird)

8) The cat whom we are watching just caught a mouse! (gives more information about cat)

9) The boy whose shoes are on the floor is my little brother. (gives more information about boy)

10) I like pizza,which is also the favorite of my sister Jean. (gives more information about pizza)