ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

1* , 9* , 48*56, 49*56, 138*66, 140*66, 6*66, 7*67, 14*68, 21*69

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Adjective Clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun. It describes, identifies, or gives further information about a noun. An
adjective clause is also called a relative clause.
Clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb.
Independent Clause is a complete sentence. It contains the main subject and verb of a sentence. It is also called a main clause.
Dependent Clause is not a complete sentence. It must be connected to an independent clause to make it a complete sentence.
Adjective Clause Pronoun is a pronoun that is used to connect the dependent clause to the independent clause. Adjective clause
pronouns are also called relative pronouns.

RELATIVE PRONOUNS USED AS THE SUBJECT

Remember that

who
which
that

is for people who act as the subject.

is for things that act as the subject.
is for both people and things acting as the subject.

I called the mechanic. He fixed your car.

Subject

who
who fixed your car
I called the mechanic

who fixed your car.

that

The man is being interrogated. He is my brother.

Subject

who
who is my brother
The man

who is my brother is being interrogated.

that

He lost the book. The book was borrowed from the library two days ago.
Subject

which
which was borrowed from the library two days ago.
He lost the book

which was borrowed from the library two days ago.

that

The yellow netbook is not mine. It is on the table.

Subject

which
which is on the table
The yellow netbook

which is on the table is not mine.

that

RELATIVE PRONOUNS USED AS THE OBJECT

Remember that

whom

is for people who act as the object.

Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

which
that

is for things that act as the object.

is for both people and things acting as the object.

That is Mr. Leman. I met him yesterday.

Object

whom
whom I met yesterday
That is Mr. Leman whom I met yesterday.
that

Mr. Leman is giving a speech now. I met Mr. Leman yesterday.

Object

whom
whom I met yesterday
Mr. Leman whom I met yesterday is giving a speech now.
that

He lost the book. He bought the book yesterday.

Object

which
which he bought yesterday
He lost the book

which he bought yesterday.

that

The yellow netbook is not mine. You hold the yellow netbook in your hand.
Object

which
which you hold in your hand
The yellow netbook which you hold in your hand is not mine.
that

Combine the sentences, using the second sentence as an adjective clause. Use who or whom.
1.

The girl gave me some info.

I met her yesterday.

............................................................................................................................................................................
2.

I dont know the girl.

She is talking to Didin.

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3.

The policewoman was very friendly.

She gave me directions.

............................................................................................................................................................................
4.

Do you know the people? They live in the white house.

............................................................................................................................................................................

5.

The people were very nice.

I met them at the party last night.

Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

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6.

Do you like the mechanic? He fixed your car.

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USUAL PATTERN OF ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

USUAL : I hate the man who is sitting next to Siti.

LESS USUAL : I hate the man that is sitting next to Siti.

USUAL : I like books that have many pictures.

LESS USUAL : I like books which have many pictures.

USUAL : I hate the man whom I met yesterday.

USUAL : I hate the man I met yesterday.**

USUAL : I like books that I read last night.

USUAL : I like books I read last night.**

** The symbol means nothing goes here. Objective pronouns are commonly omitted, especially in speaking.

Examine carefully and define whether that in the following sentences is who or whom. If it is whom (an
objective pronoun), you may omit it.
1.

Do you like the boy that is talking to Ijah?

............................................................................................................................................................................

2.

The students that came to class late missed the quiz.

............................................................................................................................................................................

3.

The woman that I met last night was interesting.

............................................................................................................................................................................

4.

The man that answered the phone was polite.

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5.

The people that Iwan is visiting live on Jl. Laksana.

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6.

I didnt know any of the people that Fajar invited to his party.
............................................................................................................................................................................

7.

The person that I admire most is my late father.

............................................................................................................................................................................

8.

The woman that I saw in the park yesterday was daydreaming.

............................................................................................................................................................................

9.

The woman that was daydreaming in the park yesterday is Sitis sister.
............................................................................................................................................................................

10.

I like the barber that usually has my hair cut.

............................................................................................................................................................................

USING WHOSE

I know a boy. His father is a film director.

Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

whose
whose father is a film star.
I know a boy whose father is a film director.

The woman called the police. Her jewelry was stolen.

whose
whose jewelry was stolen
The woman whose jewelry was stolen called the police.

The people were friendly. We bought their house.

whose
whose house we bought
The people whose house we bought were friendly.

I like the people. We bought their house.

whose
whose house we bought
I like the people whose house we bought.

Combine the sentences, using the second sentence as an adjective clause. Use whose.
1.

I know a man.

His last name is Sunjoyo.

............................................................................................................................................................................
2.

I apologized to the woman.

I spilled her coffee.

............................................................................................................................................................................
3.

I met the woman.

Her husband is the director of the famous film.

............................................................................................................................................................................
4.

Mr. Buddin teaches a class for students.

Their native language is not English.

............................................................................................................................................................................
5.

The people were very nice.

We visited their house.

............................................................................................................................................................................
6.

Maryam is my sister.

You found her book.

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RELATIVE PRONOUNS USED AS THE OBJECT OF PREPOSITIONS

She is the woman. I told you about her.

Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

She is the woman

She is the woman
She is the woman
She is the woman

about whom
who(m)
that

I told you.
I told you about.
I told you about.
I told you about.

The music was dangdut. We listened to it last night.

The music
The music
The music
The music

to which
which
that

we listened last night was dangdut.

we listened to last night was dangdut.
we listened to last night was dangdut.
we listened to last night was dangdut.

Combine the sentences, using the second sentence as an adjective clause.

1.

The movie was interesting.

We went to it.

............................................................................................................................................................................
2.

The woman pays me a fair salary.

I work for her.

............................................................................................................................................................................
3.

The man is over there.

I told you about him.

............................................................................................................................................................................
4.

I want to tell you about the party.

I went to it last night.

............................................................................................................................................................................
5.

The person is sitting at that desk.

You should talk to her about your problem.

............................................................................................................................................................................
6.

Sasmita likes the family.

She is living with them.

...........................................................................................................................................................................
7.

The picture is beautiful.

Didin is looking at it.

...........................................................................................................................................................................
8.

I enjoyed the music.

We listened to it after dinner.

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REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

A reduced adjective clause begins with either a present participle or a past participle.
Rule 1
Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

I saw a man who was carrying an

umbrella.

REDUCED TO

I saw a man carrying an umbrella.

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

VERB IN THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

who was carrying an umbrella

was carrying is active

Reduced to

Reduced to

REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

carrying an umbrella

carrying

We use carrying in the reduced clause because it comes from the active verb in the original clause.

Rule 2

The people who worked there got

a raise last year.

REDUCED TO
The people working there got a
raise last year.

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

VERB IN THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

who worked there

worked is active

Reduced to

Reduced to

REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

working there

working

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

VERB IN THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

which is sold here

is sold is passive

Reduced to

Reduced to

REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

PAST PARTICIPLE

sold here

sold

Rule 3

The book which is sold here is

banned.

REDUCED TO

The book sold here is banned.

Reduce the adjective clause in the following sentences.

1.

Who's the guy who is playing tennis with her?

............................................................................................................................................................................

2.

Canada, which is located north of the USA, is a little bigger and much colder.
............................................................................................................................................................................

3.

Bread which is made today won't be as fresh tomorrow.

Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

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4.

I'd like something that contains less sugar, please.

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5.

Toronto, which is situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario, is the largest city in Canada.
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6.

The Coca Cola Company, which was started in 1886, is still very successful.
............................................................................................................................................................................

7.

The people who were hired last month had to take a training course this month.
............................................................................................................................................................................

8.

Cars that need serious repairs will not be allowed on the road.
............................................................................................................................................................................

9.

I talked to the people who will do the exam next week.

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10.

Students who want to study here this September must apply before July.
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Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri