What Is An Adjective Clause.docx

What Is an Adjective Clause? An adjective clause is a dependent clause that, like an adjective, modifies a noun or pronoun. An adjective clause begin with words such as that, when, where, who, whom, whose, which, and why. An essential (or restrictive) adjective clause provides information that is necessary for identifying the word it modifies. A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) adjective clause provides additional information about the word it modifies, but the word’s meaning is already clear. Nonessential clauses are always set off with commas. When deciding whether to include the word that or which in an adjective clause, remember to use that for essential clauses and which for nonessential clauses: Essential clause:

(That Lucas takes is an essential adjective clause. It contains the subject Lucas and the verb takes. The clause modifies the noun class, providing necessary information about it.) Nonessential clause: The house on the left, which belongs to Nicole, is up for sale. (Which belongs to Nicole is a nonessential adjective clause. It contains the subject which and the verb belongs. The clause modifies the noun house, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

Adjective Clause Examples

(That I like the best is an adjective clause. It contains the subject I and the verb like. The clause modifies the noun beach.) Mr. Jackson is the teacher who helped me with my math problems. (Who helped me with my math problems is an adjective clause. It contains the subject who and the verb helped. The clause modifies the noun teacher.)

The bad weather is the reason why I decided to drive instead of walk. (Why I decided to drive instead of walk is an adjective clause. It contains the subject I and the verb decided. The clause modifies the noun reason.) Mia is the person whose family owns a horse ranch. (Whose family owns a horse ranch is an adjective clause. It contains the subject family and the verb owns. The clause modifies the noun person.) This is the park where we can walk the dogs. (Where we can walk the dogs is an adjective clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase can walk. The clause modifies the noun park.) Do you remember the time when we almost missed the swim meet? (When we almost missed the swim meet is an adjective clause. It contains the subject we and the verb missed. The clause modifies the noun time.) Guillermo went to the studio where he takes glassblowing lessons. (Where he takes glassblowing lessons is an adjective clause. It contains the subject he and the verb takes. The clause modifies the noun studio.) Max, who is Marissa’s older brother, just got back from a trip to Jamaica. (Who is Marissa’s older brother is an adjective clause. It contains the subject who and the verb is. The clause modifies the noun Max.) Monday is the day when I have my doctor’s appointment. (When I have my doctor’s appointment is an adjective clause. It contains the subject I and the verb have. The clause modifies the noun day.) Derek is the sibling to whom I am closest. (To whom I am closest is an adjective clause. It contains the subject I and the verb am. The clause modifies the noun sibling.)

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An adverb clause is a group of words that function as an adverb in a sentence. Adverb clauses can be used to add explanatory detail to your writing and explain how or why things happen. To identify adverb clauses, you'll need to understand what an adverb does as well as how a clause is formed.

What Is an Adverb? An adverb is a part of speech that describes an adjective, another adverb or a verb. Adverbs give more information about how an action was performed. In general, they answer questions like, how, why, where and when. An adverb does this with just one word, but groups of words can also perform this function in sentences. For example:   

She walked slowly. She walked like an old lady. She walked as if she were heading to the gallows. In each of these sentences, the italicized word or words answer the question how and describe the verb "walked." In the first sentence there is only one adverb, but in the other two sentences, a group of words work together to act as an adverb.

What Is a Clause? A clause is a group of words that contain both a subject and a verb. This differs from a phrase, which doesn't have a subject and a verb. For example, let's revisit our examples of words being used together as adverbs:  

She walked like an old lady. She walked as if she were heading to the gallows. In these examples, "like an old lady" does not contain a subject and a verb, and is, therefore, an adverb phrase. However, "as if she were heading to the gallows" does contain a subject (she) and a verb (were heading), making it an adverb clause. Clauses can be either independent or dependent. Independent clauses are also called sentences. They can stand alone and express a complete thought. Dependent clauses, or subordinate clauses, cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. For example:   

Because he has a college degree, he got a great job. When the storm started, she was at the store. Bob wore the coat that I gave him. Each of these groups of words has a subject and a verb, but do not form a complete sentence on their own. They are dependent on an independent clause for meaning.

What Is an Adverb Clause?

Adverb clauses, also known as adverbial clauses, are dependent clauses that function as adverbs. Since they are dependent clauses, they must have a subordinating conjunction to connect them to the rest of the sentence. Being able to spot a subordinating conjunction will help you recognize an adverb clause. Below are some examples, which are grouped by what type of adverb question they answer:    

When: after, when, until, soon, before, once, while, as soon as, whenever, by the time How: if, whether or not, provided, in case, unless, even if, in the event Why: because, as, since, so, in order that, now that, inasmuch as Where: wherever, where Adverb clauses can be placed at the beginning, middle or end of a sentence. When placed at the beginning or in the middle, they require a comma to offset them from the rest of the sentence:  

Whether you like it or not, you have to go. The boy, although he is very bright, failed math. However, when the adverb clause is at the end of a sentence, no comma is needed: 

She enjoyed the party more than he did.

Examples of Adverb Clauses Because they act like adverbs in a sentence, adverb clauses answer the questions where, when, why and how in a sentence. To see how they work, take a look at the examples below:

Adverb Clauses of Place: These adverbial clauses answer the question where.  

Wherever there is music, people will dance. You can drop by for a visit where we're staying for the summer.

Adverb Clauses of Time: These adverbial clauses answer the question when.  

After the chores are done, we will eat some ice cream. When the clock strikes midnight, she has to leave.

Adverb Clauses of Cause: These adverb clauses answer the question why.  

She passed the course because she worked hard. Since he has long hair, he wears a ponytail.

Adverb Clauses of Purpose: These adverb clauses also answer the question why.  

So that he would not ruin the carpet, he took off his shoes. He ate vegetables in order that he could stay healthy.

Adverb Clauses of Condition: These adverb clauses answer the question how.

 

If you save some money, you can buy a new game. Unless you hurry, you will be late for school.

Adverb Clauses of Concession: These adverb clauses answer the question how, albeit in a roundabout way.  

Even though you are 13, you can't go to that movie. Although you gave it your best effort, you did not win the match.

Adverb Clauses Add Rich Detail While adverb clauses are a little more complicated than simple adverbs, they are very useful in adding richer detail to your writing by explaining how and why things happen. When you begin to add subordinating conjunctions and dependent clauses to your writing, you add interest by varying the rhythm of your sentences and layering in important information to create a complete picture for the reader. For more practice, you can see Examples of Adverb Clauses to get a sense of the many ways these descriptors can be used to improve your writing.