Adjective Clauses
Adjective Clauses function as adjectives. Adjectives modify nouns
and pronouns. An Adjective Clauses is usually introduced by a relative pronoun.
A relative pronoun is a pronoun that joins an adjective clause to some word in the independent or main clause. Antecedent of the relative pronoun the word to which it joins the clause. The relative pronoun used in this way are:
|
Who |
whom |
which |
that |
*
The manager who received the award was my high
school teacher.
*
I will buy you those toys that you requested yesterday.
*
I saw the girl whom I met at the office.
It is often difficult to determine whether to use
"who" or "whom" when one of these words is used to
introduced a subordinate clause. You have to keep the following rule in mind:
Who is the correct form of the nominative case.
Whom is the correct form for the adjective case.
Whose is the correct form of the possessive case.
Correct: I met the lady whom I saw carrying your radio.
Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clause
1. Restrictive Clauses- clauses that are necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Commas do not set off a restrictive clause.
2. Nonrestrictive clause is a clause that is not essential to the meaning if the sentence. Commas set it off.
*
Fernando Angue was the physicist who invented the
flying car.
In our example, the clause is who invented the flying car. This clause identifies the man and is essential to the meaning of the sentence. The clause restricts the meaning of the sentence to the physicist who invented the flying car; therefore, it is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
* It is exciting to visit museums that display Greek and Roman arts.
The sentence above does not mean that it is exciting to visit museums. The meaning is restricted to visiting a certain type of museums; that is, the type of museums that display Greek and Roman arts. The underline clause is thus necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Commas do not set off such a restrictive clause.
Noun Clauses
3. Noun clauses function as nouns and are used as subjects of sentences, as objects of verbs, and as objects of prepositions.
* Where the eagles will fly is worth investigating.
*
How he maintains his high standard of living is very questionable.
*
What you are doing is detrimental to your health.
A. Direct object of a verb the same way as a regular noun, a noun clause can also be used. A noun used as an object answers the question what?
*
Please tell her (what?) that I love her?
*
I remember (what?) that you promised you would never leave.
B. Object of a preposition is sometimes used as a noun clause, like the noun.
*
We discussed about what type of
clothing we should be wearing.
*
Adalyn is focused in
what she is aiming for.
C. Predicate noun may be used as a noun clause, after one of the linking verbs. Like a regular predicate noun, a noun clause functioning as a predicate noun refers to the same noun or pronoun in the subject.
*
My first impression was that he is naive. (Means the
same impression)
*
The message was that we should surrender. (Means the
same as message)
Noun Clauses Function
A. Sometimes the word that introduces a subordinate clause is omitted. You can always supply it if you are in doubt about the construction of the clause.
*
I assume they will attack our right flank.
(Subordinate conjunction that- omitted)
A noun or a noun clause can be used in apposition with another
noun. A word in opposition is placed near another to the word to explain it or
to identify it in any other way.
* Mr. Rain, the owner, is a nice person. (Noun used as an appositive is set off by commas and explains the noun in the subject)
* My brother Chan will visit us soon. (Noun used as an appositive but is not set off by commas)
C. The subject of sentences beginning in it is not a word it. To check for the subject, transpose the sentence and look for the subject. When used this way, the word it is called an expletive.
* It is a well-known fact in this school that you are a coward.
Transpose to:
*
That you are a coward
is a well-known fact in this school. (Noun clause is the real subject)
Transpose to:
D. The word whether and not the word if is used to introduce noun clauses used as the direct object of the verbs say, learn, understand, know, Doubt, ask, tell, discover, wonder, etc.
Correct: Please ask my yaya whether she has washed the dishes.
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