Adjective Clauses

Hindu calligraphy

An adjective clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adjective. That is, it

modifies (gives more information about) a noun or pronoun.
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

The first thanksgiving feast in the United States, which took place in 1621,
lasted three days.
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

Everyone who studied for the exam passed it easily.

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

The award that Mario received was for his volunteer work.

In the first sentence, which took place in 1621 is an adjective clause that gives more
information about the noun phrase the first thanksgiving feast in the United States.
This noun phrase is called the antecedent of the adjective clause.
What is the adjective clause in the second sentence? What is the antecedent?
Is the antecedent a noun or a pronoun? What is the adjective clause in the third
sentence? What is the antecedent?

230
Chapter 14 I Adjective Clauses 231

Adjective clauses are one way to improve your writing style because they use
subordination to connect ideas. Subordination, rather than coordination (using lots
of ands and buts to connect ideas) is the mark of a mature writing style. However,
take care not to use too many adjective clauses. A paragraph or essay that is filled
with too many who's and which's is not good either.

Relative Pronouns and A.dverbs

An adjective clause begins with a relative pronoun or relative adverb.
PRONOUNS who, whom, whose, that refer to people
which, whose, that refer to animals and things
ADVERBS when, where refer to a time or a place

Position of To avoid confusion, an adjective clause should come right after its antecedent.
A.djective
Clauses
CONFUSING He left the gift in his friend's car that he had just bought.
(It is not clear whether the adjective clause modifies car or gift.)

CORRECTED He left the gift that he had just bought in his friend's car.
(The adjective clause clearly modifies gift.)

In the following examples, notice that the adjective clause comes immediately
after the antecedent scientists no matter where scientists appears in the sentence.

Scientists who study fossils are called paleontologists.

The government awards large contracts each year to scientists who do research
for the government.

Occasionally, other words may come between the antecedent and the adjective
clause.
---------who is majoring in electrical
Recently, a friend of mine at the University of Toronto,
engineering, received a government grant to study airport runway lighting.

Yesterday I spent an hour in the library reading the article from Scientific American
that the instructor had put on reserve.

Sometimes an adjective clause modifies an entire sentence. In this case, it comes at

the end of the sentence. The relative pronoun is always which, and the clause is
always nonrestrictive.
The team won the championship, which shocked the opponents.
232 Part 111 I Sentence Structure

Verb The verb in an adjective clause agrees in number with its antecedent. Compare these
Agreement "in two sentences:
Adjective An employee who works part-time usually receives no benefits.
Clauses
(The verb works is singular to agree with the employee.)

Employees who work part-time usually receive no benefits.

(The verb work is plural to agree with the plural antecedent employees.)

Punctuation of Adjective Clauses

Adjective clauses are either restrictive (necessary) or nonrestrictive (unnecessary).
• A restrictive clause is necessary because it identifies its antecedent for the
reader. Do not use commas with restrictive clauses.
• A nomestrictive clause is not necessary to identify its antecedent; it merely
gives the reader some extra information about it. Because you can omit a
nomestrictive clause without loss of meaning, separate it from the rest of the
sentence with commas.
• The relative pronoun that is used in restrictive clauses only. Which is used in
nomestrictive clauses only. The other relative pronouns and adverbs can be
used in both restrictive and nomestrictive clauses.
Restrictive (necessary): no commas
The professor who teaches my biology class won a Nobel Prize two years ago.
(Which professor won a Nobel Prize two years ago? The clause who teaches my
biology class is necessary to identify the professor.)

He won the prize for research that might lead to a cure for AIDS.
(For which research did he win the prize? We need the clause that might lead to
a cure for AIDS to tell us.)
Nonrestrictive (unnecessary): commas
Professor Jones, who teaches my biology class, won a Nobel Prize two years ago.
(The person who won a Nobel Prize is identified by his name, so the clause who
teaches my biology class is extra, unnecessary information about Professor
Jones. If it were omitted, we would still know which person won the Nobel Prize.)

He won the prize for his research into the structure of T-cells, which might lead
to a cure for AIDS.
(We already know which research he won the prize for: his research into the
structure of T-cells. The information which might lead to a cure for AIDS is not
necessary to identify the research; it merely gives us extra information about it.)

Identify and punctuate sentences with adjective clauses.

Step 1 Underline the adjective clause or clauses in each sentence. (Some
Restrictive and sentences have two.)
Nonrestrictive Step 2 In the space next to the sentence, write R for a restrictive and NR for
Gauses a nomestrictive clause.
Step 3 Add commas to the nomestrictive clauses.

The first two have been done for you as examples.

Chapter 14 I Adjective Clauses 233

_R_ 1. Families whose incomes are below a certain level pay no income tax.
2. My family, whose income is more than $50,000, pays about
25 percent income tax.
3. The sun which in 40 minutes can produce enough solar energy to
meet humankind's needs for a year is one of Earth's potential
sources of power.
4. We are at the beginning of a medical computer revolution, according
to an article that appeared in Time magazine
5. A medical computer is a machine that analyzes the results of
laboratory tests and electrocardiograms.
6. A physician who feeds a patient's symptoms into a computer
receives a list of diseases that fit the symptoms of that patient.
7. Laser beams which are useful in both medicine and industry were
first predicted in science fiction stories 75 years ago.
8. The country that has the highest per capital income is not the
United States which is in third place.
9. Kuwait which is a small country in the Middle East is in. first place.
10. It was a thrilling experience to meet the author of the book that we
had been reading all semester.
11. Thepublic is highly critical of the tobacco industry whose profits
have been increasing in spite of the health risks of smoking.
12. Carbohydrates which are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen are organic compounds.
13. People who use body language2 to express themselves are
interesting to watch.
14. My brother-in-law who is from Italy moves his hands a lot when he
is talking.
15. The man whom the president nominated to the Supreme Court is an
experienced and respected judge.
16. X-ray machines are gradually being replaced by machines that can
provide clearer, more detailed images of the human body, its tissues,
and its organs.
17. X-ray machines are gradually being replaced by CAT scanners and
MRI devices which can provide clearer, more detailed images of the
human body, its tissues, and its organs.
18. The company promised to reimburse 3 everyone who had bought a
defective4 product.
19. Students whose grade point averages fall below 2.0 will be placed
on probation.
20. She plans to marry her childhood sweetheart whom she has known
since they were five years old.

Iper capita: per person (literally, "per head" in Latin)

2body language: communication by body movements
3reimburse: pay money back to
4defective: flawed, not in working condition
234 Part lilt I Sentence Structure

Kinds of Adjective Clauses /

There are different types of adjective clauses. In each different type, the relative pro-
noun has a different function. It may be a subject or an object in its own clause,
it may replace a possessive word.

Relative A relative pronoun can be the subject of its own clause.

Pronouns
as Subjects
s v
who, which, American football, which is the most popular sport in the United
that States, began at Harvard University.

In this pattern, who, which, and that can be either singular or plural. Make the verb
agree with the antecedent.

I have not read the magazine that is lying on the coffee table.
(The verb is lying is singular to agree with the singular antecedent magazine.)

I have not read the magazines that are lying on the coffee table.
(The verb are lying is plural to agree with the plural antecedent magazines.)

The following examples show you how to combine two sentences to make a new
sentence containing a subject pattern adjective clause.

< ..«(\ •.• .•......•..

.....
«
.- < .......

Restrictive People save time and energy. =!=FleJ' use microwave ovens.
who, that People who use microwave ovens save time and energy.
People that use microwave ovens save time and energy. (jnformal)

Nonrestrictive Microwave cooking is not popular with most professional chefs.

who Professional eI=fefs say that fast cooking does not allow flavors
to blend.
Microwave cooking is not popular with most professional chefs, who
say that fast cooking does not allow flavors to blend.
.. ,;.
Inmgs
.
Restrictive Ovens are capable of cooking food quickly. =!=FleJ' use microwave energy.
that Ovens that use microwave energy are capable of cooking foods
quickly.

Nonrestrictive An electron tube in the oven produces microwaves. Miorowaveo cook

which by agitating' the water molecules in food.
An electron tube in the oven produces microwaves, which cook by
agitating the water molecules in food.

'agitating: moving very quickly

Chapter 14 I Adjective Clauses 235

A. Combine the two sentences in each pair to make a new complex sentence
containing an adjective clause in the subject pattern.
Relative
Pronouns Step 1 Change the subject of the second sentence to a relative pronoun. Use
as Subjects who, which, or that as appropriate.
Step 2 Combine the two sentences, placing the adjective clause as close to its
antecedent as possible.
Step 3 Add commas if necessary.
The first one has been done for you as an example.

1. John Fish explained the complex structure of DNA. He is a research chemist.

John Fish. who is a research chemist. ex\?lained the com\?lex structure of DNA.
2. While he lectured, he showed us a slide. The slide diagrammed the double
helix structure of DNA.

3. Words in English are often difficult for foreigners to pronounce. They begin
with the consonants tho

4. Foreigners also have difficulty with English spelling. English spelling is not
always consistent with its pronunciation.

5. Anyone must have a logical mind. He or she wants to be a computer

programmer.

6. Fans quickly lose interest in a sports team. The team loses game after game.

B. Wlite six sentences that contain adjective clauses in the subject pattern. Use
the following prompts. The first one has been done for you as an example.
1. I do not lmow anyone who does not like chocolate ice cream.
2. My father, who _
3. is a SpOli that _
4. is soccer, which _
5. The school subject that _
6. The school subjects that _
236 Part 1n I Sentence Structure

Relative A relative pronoun can be an object in its own clause.

Pronouns
as Objects

Note: You can omit that in object pattern clauses only.

The address he gave me was incorrect.

The following examples show you how to combine two sentences to make a new
sentence containing an object pattern adjective clause.

Restrictive The professor is chair of the English Department. You should see #Ie
whom, that, 0 professoF.
The professor whom you should see is chair of the English
Department.
The professor that you should see is chair of the English
Department. (informal)
The professor you should see is chair of the English Department.

Nonrestrictive Dr. White is an ecologist. You met OF. White in my office.

whom Dr. White, whom you met in my office, is an ecologist.

Restrictive The book was written in German. The professor translated the book.
that, 0 The book that the professor translated was written in German.
The book the professor translated was written in German.

Nonrestrictive Environmental science is one of the most popular courses in the college.
which Dr. White teaches environmental seienee.
Environmental science, which Dr. White teaches, is one of the most
popular courses in the college.

PRAC'I'IClt 3 A. Combine the two sentences in each pair to malce a new sentence containing an
adjective clause in the object pattern.
Relative
Pronouns Step 1 Change the object in the second sentence to a relative pronoun. Use
as Objects whom, which, that, or no pronoun, as appropriate. Move the relative
pronoun to the beginning of its clause.
Step 2 Combine the two sentences, placing the new adjective clause as close
to its antecedent as possible.
Step 3 Add commas if necessary.
Step 4 Write the sentences as a paragraph in the space provided.
The first one has been done for you as an example.
Chapter 14 I Adjective Clauses 237

1. AlbeIt Einstein was a high school dropout. The world recognizes him as
a genius.
2. As a young boy, Einstein had trouble in elementary and high school. He
attended these schools in Germany.
3. He did poorly in certain subjects such as history and languages. He disliked
them.
4. The only subjects were mathematics and physics. He enjoyed them.
5. He developed theories. We use his theories to help us understand the nature
of the universe.
6. Einstein is best known for his general theory of relativity. He began to
develop this theory while living in Switzerland.

Albert Einstein, whom the world recognizes as a genius. was a high

school dropout.

B. Write five sentences of your own that contain adjective clauses in the object
pattern. Use the prompts given, and then write two sentences of your own.
Write both restrictive and nomestrictive clauses.
1. My mother, whom _

2. ________ the homework that _

3. ________ someone whom _

4. The islands of Hawaii, which _

5. The television program that _

238 Part UI I Sentence Structure

Possessive In possessive adjective clauses, the relative pronoun whose replaces a possessive
Adjective word such as Mary's, his, our, their, the company's, or its. Possessive adjective
Clauses clauses can follow the subject or the object pattern.
In the subject pattern, the whose + noun phrase is the subject of the adjective
clause. In the object pattern, the whose + noun phrase is the object in the adjectIVe
clause.

Notes
1. Some writers feel that whose should be used to refer only to people. For
animals and things, they recommend using of which. Compare:
I returned the book whose cover was torn.

I returned the book, the cover of which was torn.

Other writers use whose in all but the most formal writing (such as legal
documents).

2. You have learned that the verb in an adjective clause agrees with the
antecedent.
The student who is working alone is a friend of mine.

The students who are working together are also friends of mine.

Now learn the exception: When whose + noun is the subject of an adjective
clause, the verb agrees with that noun.
She takes care of two children whose mother works at night.
(The verb works is singular to agree with mother.)
She takes care of two children whose parents work at night.
(The verb work is plural to agree with parents.)

The following examples show you how to combine two sentences to make a new
sentence containing a subject pattern possessive adjective clause.

Restrictive Opportunities are increasing for graduates. Graduates' degrees are

whose in computer engineering.
Opportunities are increasing for graduates whose degrees are
in computer engineering.

Nonrestrictive Santa Claus is the symbol of Christmas gift-giving. l-!i& jolly figure
whose appears everywhere during the Christmas season.
Santa Claus, whose jolly figure appears everywhere during
the Christmas season, is the symbol of Christmas gift-giving.
Cbapter 14 I Adjective Clauses 239

The following examples show you how to combine two sentences to make a new
sentence containing an object pattern possessive adjective clause.

Restrictive The citizens protested. The government had confiscated l #TeH: property.
whose The citizens whose property the government had confiscated
protested.

Nonrestrictive Consumer Reports magazine pUblishes comparative evaluations of all

whose kinds of products. Shoppers trust the FfIagazine's research.
Consumer Reports, whose research shoppers trust, publishes
comparative evaluations of all kinds of products.

PRACT1CE 4 A. Combine the two sentences in each pair to make a new sentence containing
a possessive adjective clause in the subject pattern.
Possessive
Adjective Step 1 Find a possessive expression in the second sentence and .change it to
Clauses whose.
Step 2 Combine the two sentences, placing the new adjective clause as close
to its antecedent as possible.
Step 3 Add commas if necessary.
1. Maya Angelou tells about her early life in her book I Know Why the Caged
Bird Sings. Her childhood was difficult.
Maya Angelou, whose childhood was difficult. tells about her early life in her
book. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

2. Secmities Corporation's president is a man. His expertise2 on financial

matters is well known.

3. First National Bank tries to attract female customers. The banle's president
is a woman.

4. Companies conduct market research to discover trends among consumers.

Consumers' tastes change rapidly.

5. A manufacturer can offer lower prices. Its costs are lower because of mass
production.

Iconfiscated: taken by an authority, such as a government, teacher, or parent, without payment

2expertise: skill, knowledge
240 Part Ul I Sentence Structure

B. Follow the steps in Part A to combine the two sentences in each pair to make a
new sentence containing a possessive adjective clause in the object pattern.
1. Maya Angelou is one of the most famous female poets in the United States.
We have been reading Maya Angelou's poetry in our English class.
Maya Angelou. whose poetry we have been reading in our English class, is one
of the most famous female poets in the United states.
2. John is dating a girl. I keep forgetting the girl's name.

3. Any company has a better chance of success. Consumers easily recognize

its logo or symbol.

4. McDonald's has restaurants all around the globe. Most people recognize its
golden arches.

C. Write three sentences containing possessive adjective clauses in either the

subject or the object pattern. Use the following prompts.
1. the lost child, whose photograph

2. my cousin, whose car

3. teachers whose classes

Relative A relative pronoun can be the object of a preposition in its own clause.
Pronouns as
Objects of
Prepositions •• ....... .. ' } - < ••
whom, which, The address to which I sent my application was incorrect.
that,
o (no pronoun)

These adjective clauses are formed in two ways: the formal way and the informal way.
(a) In the formal way, the preposition and relative pronoun are together at the
beginning of the clause:
for whom I did a favor to which I sent my application

with whom I shared a secret in which the gift was wrapped

Chapter 14 I Adjective Clauses 241

(b) In the informal way, the pronoun comes at the beginning and the
preposition at the end of the clause:
whom I did a favor for which I sent my application to

whom I shared a secret with that the gift was wrapped in

When should you use the informal way, and when should you use the formal
way? In all but the most formal writing (master's theses, Ph.D. dissertations, legal
documents, or business reports, for example), the informal pattern is probably
acceptable. English has no academic or governmental authority that issues rules
about correctness. Standards vary. In your classes, some teachers will require you
to write only formal English, while others will accept informal usage. Always ask
if you are not sure.
The following examples show you how to combine two sentences to make a new
sentence containing an adjective clause. Sentence (a) is formal; all of the (b) sentences
are informal.

Restrictive The candidate lost the election. I voted for the sandidate.
whom, that, 0 (a) The candidate for whom I voted lost the election.
(b) The candidate whom I voted for lost the election.
The candidate that I voted for lost the election.
The candidate I voted for lost the election.

Nonrestrictive Mayor Pyle lost the election. I voted for Mayer Pyle.
whom (a) Mayor Pyle, for whom I voted, lost the election.
(b) Mayor Pyle, whom I voted for, lost the election.

Restrictive No one had read the book. He quoted from the Bee*.
which, that, 0 (a) No one had read from the book from which he quoted.
(b) No one had read the book which he quoted from.
No one had read the book that he: quoted from.
No one had read the book he quoted from.

Nonrestrictive The President's Scholarship was awarded to someone else. John

which had applied for tAe President's £shelarship.
(a) The President's Scholarship, for which John had applied, was
awarded to someone else.
(b) The President's Scholarship, which John had applied for, was
awarded to someone else.
242 Part 111 I Sentence Structure

PRACTICE 5 A. Combine sentences to make a new sentence containing an adjective clause.

Relative Step 1 Change the sentence with the underlined prepositional phrase to an
Pronouns adjective clause.
as Objects Step 2 Combine it with the first sentence. Write each new sentence twice,
of Prepositions (a) in the formal pattern and (b) in any of the possible informal patterns.
The first one has been done for you as an example.
1. Finding reasonably priced housing in big cities is a problem. Many young
people are concerned about the problem.
(a) Finding reasonably priced housing in big cities is a problem about
which many young people are concerned.
(b) Finding reasonably priced housing in big cities is a problem that many
young people are concerned about.
2. Affordable apartments are scarce. Young people would like to live in them.
(a)
(b) _

3. Of course, many young people share apartments, but they have to take care
in choosing the people. They will share living space and expenses with
these people.
(a)
(b)
4. Living with people can be stressful, but it can also be fun. You are not
related to the people.
(a)
(b)
5. In many countlies, young people continue to live with their parents in the
same house. They grew up in that house.
(a)
(b)
6. In the United States, young people do not want to live with their parents.
They typically declare their independence from their parents at age 18.
(a)
(b) _

B. Now write sentences of your own. Write two sentences in the informal pattern
and two in an formal pattern. Use the prompts suggested.

1. Informal pattern
(a) The package that for finally
alTived.
(b) Uncle Charlie, whom with, is
going to spend Thanksgiving with his friends this year.
Chapter 14 I Adjective Clauses 243

2. Formal pattern
(a) I have received no response from your Customer Service Department,
to which _
(b) The person to whom called me
yesterday with a job offer.

Relative A relative pronoun can occur in phrases of quantity and quality.

Pronouns in
Pbrases of
Quantity and
QuaUty some of whom He gave two answers, both of which were correct.
all of whom
each of which The top students, all of whom graduated with honors, received
both of which, scholarships.
etc.

the best of She has three daughters, the oldest of whom is studying abroad.
whom
the oldest of The comedian's jokes, the funniest of which I had heard before,
whom were about politics.
the most
important of
which, etc.

These adjective clauses can follow either the subject or the object pattern, and
they are always nonrestrictive; that is, they are always used with commas.
The following examples show you how to combine two sentences to make a new
sentence containing an adjective clause with an expression of quantity or quality.
Notice that the relative pronoun is always of whom or of which.

'i.
, ...... ,... ...
Nonrestrictive The citizens of Puerto Rico are well educated. Ninety percent of #:!em
of whom are literate. I
The citizens of Puerto Rico, ninety percent of whom are
literate, are well educated.

<ll1ll 1

Nonrestrictive There are many delicious tropical fruits in Puerto Rico. I have never
of which tasted most of #:!em before.
There are many delicious tropical fruits in Puerto Rico, most of
which I have never tasted before.

lliterate: able to read and write

244 Part 1n I Sentence Structure

PRACTICE 6 A. Change the second sentence in each pair to an adjective clause, and combine it
with the first sentence. The first one has been done for you as an example.
Adjective dauses
with Phrases 1. There is a chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The most charming of the
of Quantity islands is Puerto Rico.
and Quality
There is a chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea. the most charming of which
is Puerto Rico.
2. Puerto Rico attracts thousands of visitors. Most of them come for the sunny
weather, the beautiful beaches, and the Spanish atmosphere.

3. Puerto Rico has many historic sites. The most famous of them are in the
Old San Juan area of the capital city.

4. Puerto Rico's economy is growing. The most important sector l of the

economy is clothing manufacturing.

5. Puerto Ricans have strong ties to the United States. All of them are U.S.
citizens.

6. Puerto Rico has three political parties. One of them favors Puerto Rico's
becoming a state.

B. Complete the sentences.

1. The presidential candidate spoke about his qualifications, the most
impressive of which _
2. The doctors in the free clinic, most of whom _

Adjective Adjective clauses can also be introduced by the relative adverbs when and where.
Clauses
of Time
and Place
when, where Ramadan is the month when devout Muslims fast.
The Saudi Arabian city of Mecca, where Mohammed was born, is
the holiest city in Islam.

lsector: part, division

Chapter 14 [ Adjective Clauses 245

These clauses refer to a time or a place, and they can be restrictive or nonrestrictive.
In the following examples, notice how when and where replace entire prepositional
phrases such as during that night and in Berlin.

Restrictive The lives of thousands of Germans suddenly changed on the night.

when East German soldiers began building the Berlin Wall during that
flf§ht.
The lives of thousands of Germans suddenly changed on the
night when East German soldiers began building the
Berlin Wall.

Nonrestrictive On November 9, 1989, their lives changed again. The wall was torn
when down on g, 1ggg.
On November 9, 1989, when the wall was torn down, their lives
changed again.

Restrictive The city was suddenly divided. Citizens had lived, worked, and
where shopped relatively freely in the oit)'.
The city where citizens had lived, worked, and shopped
relatively freely was suddenly divided.

Nonrestrictive Berlin was suddenly divided. Citizens had lived, worked, and
where shopped relatively freely in Berlin.
Berlin, where citizens had lived, worked, and shopped relatively
freely, was suddenly divided.

It is also possible to write time and place clauses with the relative pronoun which,
that, or 0 and a preposition. The following patterns are possible.
when I was born.
on which I was Darn.
. March 31, 1980, was the day which I was born on.
that I was born on.
I was born.

where I grew up.

in which I grew up.
Cody, Wyoming, is the town which I grew up in.
that I grew up in.
I grew up in.
246 Ul I Sentence Structure

PRACTICE 7 A. Combine the two sentences in each pair, changing the second sentence into an
adjective clause of time or place. Add commas if necessary. The first one has
Adjective Clauses
of Time and Place been done for you as an example.

1. GerII1any had been divided into two countries since 1945. It was defeated
in World War II in 1945.
Germany had been divided into two countries since 1945, when it was defeated
in World War II.
2. 1989 was the year. The Berlin Wall was torn down in that year.

3. In 1990, Germany became one country again. East and West Germany were
reunited in 1990.

4. East Germany became part of the Federal Republic of Germany. People had
lived under communist rule in East Germany.

5. There was rejoicing in areas. Germans looked forward to reunification with

their fellow citizens in some areas.

6. There was anxiety in places. People feared losing their jobs in some places.

B. Write four sentences containing adverbial adjective clauses, two sentences

using when and two sentences using where. Try to write both restrictive and
nonrestrictive clauses. Use the prompts given for sentences 1 and 2. Invent
your own sentences in 3 and 4.
1. My grandmother enjoys telling about the time when

2. _

3. ----' _

4. _
Chapter 14 I Adjective Clauses 247

Review
These are the important points covered in this chapter.
1. An adjective clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adjective; that
is, it gives more information about a noun or pronoun in the independent
clause. The modified noun or pronoun is called the antecedent.
2. An adjective clause begins with a relative pronoun or a relative adverb.
3. Place an adjective clause after its antecedent and as close to it as possible
to avoid confusion of meaning.
4. The verb in an adjective clause should agree in number with its antecedent.
5. Adjective clauses are either restrictive (necessary) or nomestrictive
(unnecessary). Add commas before and after nomestrictive clauses.

who refers to people subject in its restrictive --

The professor who teaches my biology class
own clause won a Nobel Prize two years ago.
or nonrestrictive Professor Jones, who teaches my biology
class, won a Nobel Prize two years ago.

whom refers to people object in its own restrictive She loaned her car to someone whom she
clause did not know.
or nonrestrictive Professor Jones, whom I have for biology,
won a Nobel two years ago.

whose refers to people, subject or object restrictive I studied algebra with a professor whose
animals, and in its own clause name I have forgotten.
things; shows
or nonrestrictive Apple Computer, whose Macintosh
possession
computer changed computing, was started
by two men working in a garage.

which refers to animals subject or object nonrestrictive She teaches bi9logy, which is my favorite
and things in its own clause only subject.
Her husband teaches algebra, which I enjoy
the least.

that refers to animals subject or object restrictive only The class that meets in the next room is very
and things; in its own clause; noisy.
informally, refers if that is an
The subject I enjoy the least is algebra.
to people object, it may
be omitted The subject I enjoy the least is algebra.

The salesman that sold me my car was fired.

(informal)
248 Part 111 I Sentence Structure

when refers to a time restrictive I work full time on days when I do not have
classes.
or nonrestrictive I did not work last week, when I had my final
exams.

where refers to a place restrictive She has never returned to the city where she
was born.
or nonrestrictive First City Bank, where I have a checking
account, was robbed last week.

Editing Practice

Edit the following essay for errors in adjective clauses. You should make 14 changes.
Look for the following kinds of errors.
whose
INCORRECT RELATIVE I telephoned the student who his wallet I found in the parking lot.
PRONOUN
live
DISAGREEMENT OF VERB People who H¥es in earthquake zones need earthquake insurance.
AND ANTECEDENT

INCORRECT REPETITION OF My friend whom I loaned my car to f:lH:l::; returned it with several dents.
NOUNS OR PRONOUNS

INCORRECT COMMA USAGE Electronic pagers, which always seem to beep at inappropriate times, should be
turned off during "concerts, lectures, and naps. (Two commas added.)"

EI Nino
1 Scientists have been studying an ocean event who is the cause of drastic
changes in weather around the world. 2This event is an increase in the
temperature of the Pacific Ocean that appear around Christmas off the coast of
Peru. 3 Hence, the Peruvian fishermen whom first noticed it named it EI Nino, a
name that means "the Christ child" in Spanish. 4The causes of this rise in ocean
temperatures are unknown, but its effects are obvious and devastating.
50 ne of EI Nino's far-reaching effects is that it threatens Peru's vital anchovy
harvest, which could mean higher prices for food. 6The warm water of EI Nino
keeps the nutrient-rich cold water which provides anchovies with food down at
the bottom of the ocean. 7 Anchovies are the primary source of fish meal which is
the main ingredient in livestock and chicken feed.
Chapter 14 I A.djective Clauses 249

Sin addition, guano 1 from birds who feed off the anchovies is a major source
of fertilizer for farmers. gAs a result of decreasing supplies of anchovies and
guano, the prices of chicken feed, livestock feed, and fertilizer rise. 1O"fhis causes
farmers, who they must pay more for feed and fertilizer, to charge more for the
food they produces. 11The prices of eggs, meat, and even bread have soared as
a result of EI Ninos in past years.
12EI Nino has other global effects. 131t can cause heavy rains, floods, and
mudslides along the coasts of North and South America and droughts in other
parts of the world. 141n the 1982-1983 EI Nino, West Africa suffered a terrible
drought which caused crop failures and food shortages. 15Lack of rain also
created problems for Indonesia whose forests burned for months during the
1997-1998 EI Nino. 1SWinds spread smoke from these fires as far north as
Malaysia and Singapore, resulting in choking smog, that closed scl:lools and
caused pedestrians to wear masks.
17lndeed, EI Nino is an unpredictable and uncontrollable phenomenon of
nature, that we need to study it and understand it in order to prepare for and
perhaps lessen its devastating effects in the future.

Writing Practice
Practice using adjective clauses in your writing. Choose one of the topics suggested,
or write on a topic of your own choice. Write a short paragraph in which you use at
least five adjective clauses. Use different patterns if possible.
1. Write about a favorite toy from your childhood.
2. Write about a childhood memory.
3. Describe a room in a house that you have lived in.
4. Retell the plot of a movie you have recently seen.
5. Describe a photograph or advertisement from a magazine.

Iguano: droppings of seabirds and bats