Page 84 - Grammar Glow - 7
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l What I expect is good behaviour.
l The guard narrated how he escaped.
l Those two days of rest was what I needed.
l I will donate it to whoever deserves it the most.
In the above sentences, all the highlighted groups of words are noun clauses.
Test Yourself
I. Underline the noun clauses in the sentences given below.
1. What he did is of little consequence to the nation.
2. The queen ordered that Alice should be punished for talking too much.
3. That the criminal was punished was greeted with a joyous cheer.
4. It is amazing to watch how birds and animals communicate with each other.
5. Whatever you want is available at this store.
6. Harish told me that he was going to Mumbai.
7. I want to know how far the station is from here.
8. There is a strong possibility that riots will break out after the judgement.
9. What he did has nothing to do with me.
10. Whether you like it or not is not my concern.
Adjective Clause
An adjective clause functions as an adjective. You already know adjectives modify nouns and
pronouns. It begins with a relative pronoun: which, who, whom, that, when, where, whose and
why.
l The festival which is celebrated all over India in different forms is Diwali.
l Arjun, who lived in the neighbourhood, helped organise the event.
l We’re going to the beach that I like the best.
l Here is the gift she has purchased for his birthday.
In the above sentences, all the highlighted groups of words are adjective clauses.
In the first, third and fourth sentences, the relative clauses constitute essential part of the sentences
without which the main clause of the sentence will have slightly different a meaning. Such clauses
which are essential are called defining or restrictive relative clauses.
In the second sentence, the relative clause does not form an essential part of the sentence. It does
not contribute to the meaning of the sentence. Hence, it is optional. Such a clause is called non-
defining or non-restrictive relative clause.
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