Page 202 - English Grammar - IX-X

Adjective Clause

A subordinate clause that does the work of an adjective in a sentence is called an adjective
clause. An adjective clause performs the function of an adjective and describes a noun or a
pronoun. It usually answers the question—which one?
For example:
• The man who donated those books to the library is my friend.

• The play that I watched yesterday was very interesting.
An adjective clause about people begins with the words who, whom, or whose. These words
refer to the person in the main clause.
For example:

• We will support the candidate whose personal life is free from blemishes.
• We marvelled at the girl who was singing so mellifluously.

An adjective clause about animals or things begins with the words which, that, or whose. These
words refer to the animals or things in the main clause.

For example:
• The car whose headlights were not working bumped into a tree.
• The monkey which was staring at him in the face suddenly sneaked away.

Very occasionally an adjective clause may also be introduced by the words where, when, and
why. These words refer to a place, a time, or a reason in the main clause.
For example:

• This is the tomb which Nur Jahan built for her father.
• The reason why he failed was his laziness.
An adjective clause should be placed as close as possible to the noun or pronoun it describes,
ideally right next to it.
For example:

• Dr Rajendra Prasad, who was the first President of India, believed in simple living and high
thinking.
• The Taj Mahal, which is in Agra, was built by many skilled artisans in Shah Jahan’s time.
In the above examples, the nouns have been underlined.

Sometimes, the introducing word may be omitted altogether.
For example:

• The porters (whom) we hired for our expedition were strong and experienced.
• The water (that) you are drinking is not pure.
200