An adjective clause describes a noun. Because the clause is an adjective, it is positioned directly after the noun that it describes.
A, This is the house
B, I want to buy it
If we combine them:
This is the house that/which I want to buy
A, This is the house
B, I want to buy it
If we combine them:
This is the house that/which I want to buy
In the first example, there are two clauses: this is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the verb want. That/which is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and the adjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.
A, The house is big
B. I want to buy it
If we combine:
The house that/which I want to buy is big
In the second example, there are also two clauses: house is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the verb want. In this sentence also, that is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and the adjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.
B. I want to buy it
If we combine:
The house that/which I want to buy is big
In the second example, there are also two clauses: house is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the verb want. In this sentence also, that is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and the adjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.
The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.
Example
The job _____ started yesterday was rather difficult.
(A) when
(B) was
(C) after
(D) that he
In this example, you should notice quickly that there are two clauses: job is the subject of the verb was, and the verb started needs a subject. Because there are two clauses, a connector is also needed. Answers (A) and (C) have connectors, but there are no subjects, so these answers are not correct. Answer (B) changes started into a passive verb; in this case the sentence would have one subject and two verbs, so answer (B) is not correct. The best answer to this question is answer (D). The correct sentence should say: The job that he started yesterday was rather difficult. In this sentence job is the subject of the verb was, he is the subject of the verb started, and the connector that joins these two clauses.
EXERCISE 9: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. I did not believe the story that he told me. (C)
Analysis:
First Clause : I did not believe the story
Second Clause : He told me
Adjective clause connector : that
2. Ms. Brown, whom did you recommend for the job, will start work tomorrow.(I)
Analysis:
First clause : Ms. Brown will start work tomorrow
Second clause : Did you recommend for the job (incorrect)
It should be you recommended for the job
Adjective clause connector : whom
The correct sentence is Ms. Brown, who you recommended for the job, will start work tomorrow.
3. The lecture notes which lent me were not clearly written.(I)
Analysis:
First clause : The lecture notes were not clearly written
Second clause : lent me (incorrect)
It should be I lent
Adjective clause connector : which
The correct sentence is the lecture notes which I lent were not clearly written
4. Sally has an appointment with the hairdresser whom you recommended. (C)
Analysis:
First clause : Sally has an appointment with the hairdresser
Second clause : you recommended
Adjective clause connector : whom
5. The phone number that you gave me.
Analysis:
First clause : The phone number (incorrect: no verb)
Second clause : you gave me
Adjective clause connector : that
The correct sentence is The phone number that you gave me IS wrong
6. She is able to solve all the problems which did she cause.(I)
Analysis:
First clause : She is able to solve the problems
Second clause : did she cause (incorrect)
It should be she caused
Adjective clause connector: She is able to solve all the problems which she caused
7. The day that she spent on the beach left her sunburned. (C)
Analysis:
First clause : The day left her sunburned
Second clause : she spend on the beach
Adjective clause connector : that
8. Next week I am going to visit my cousins, whom have not seen in several years.(I)
Analysis:
First clause : Next week I am going to visit my cousins
Second clause : have not seen in several years (incorrect)
It should be I have not seen in several years
Adjective clause connector : whom
The correct sentence is Next week I am going to visit my cousins, whom i have not seen in several years
9. Did you forget the promise whom you made? (C)
Analysis:
First clause : Did you forget the promise
second clause : you made?
Adjective clause connector : whom
10. The teacher whom the students like the most is their history teacher.
Analysis:
First clause : The teacher is their history teacher
Second clause : the students like the most
Adjective clause connector : whom
Next skill <------ skill 10 : Adjective clause connector/Subject
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