Adjective Clause as Subject and Object

Summary

This video lesson from Madam English explains the concept of adjective clauses, focusing on their function as modifiers of nouns. The instructor outlines the two types of adjective clauses: those using relative pronouns as subjects (who, which, that) and those using relative pronouns as objects (whom, which, that). Various examples are provided, demonstrating how to combine sentences using relative pronouns. The lesson emphasizes understanding the correct use of relative pronouns in relation to people and things, and includes exercises to practice the application of these grammar rules.

Takeaways

• 😀 Adjective clauses are dependent clauses that modify or describe a noun in the main clause of a sentence.
• 😀 There are two types of adjective clauses: one where the relative pronoun is the subject, and the other where the relative pronoun is the object.
• 😀 Common relative pronouns used in adjective clauses as the subject include 'who,' 'which,' and 'that.'
• 😀 When the relative pronoun acts as the object, common examples include 'whom,' 'which,' and 'that.'
• 😀 The relative pronoun 'who' is used for people, while 'which' is used for non-human subjects.
• 😀 In an adjective clause, after the relative pronoun (if it's the subject), a verb follows to complete the clause.
• 😀 When the relative pronoun is the object, it does not need to be followed by a verb. For example, 'My mom's cat, which is playing, is cute.'
• 😀 Example 1: 'The girl who is eating an apple' — 'who' is the relative pronoun subject referring to the girl.
• 😀 Example 2: 'My brother likes her, who is the girl I saw' — 'who' connects the main clause to the descriptive clause about the girl.
• 😀 To combine two sentences with an adjective clause, identify the subject or object in both sentences and choose the appropriate relative pronoun.

Q & A

What is an adjective clause?

An adjective clause is a dependent clause that provides more information about a noun, acting as a modifier or explanation for that noun.

What are the two types of relative pronouns used in adjective clauses?

The two types of relative pronouns are: 1) as subject (who, which, that) and 2) as object (whom, which, that).

How does a relative pronoun function as the subject in an adjective clause?

When a relative pronoun functions as the subject, it takes the position of the subject within the adjective clause, for example, 'The girl who is eating an apple.'

What is the role of 'who' in an adjective clause?

'Who' is used as a relative pronoun for people and acts as the subject in the adjective clause, e.g., 'The man who is walking.'

How does a relative pronoun function as the object in an adjective clause?

When a relative pronoun functions as the object, it acts as the object within the clause. For example, 'The cat which I saw.' Here, 'which' is the object.

What are some examples of relative pronouns used for non-human nouns?

'Which' and 'that' are commonly used for non-human nouns, e.g., 'The book which is on the table.'

What is the difference between using 'who' and 'whom' in adjective clauses?

'Who' is used for the subject of the adjective clause (e.g., 'The person who helped me'), while 'whom' is used for the object of the clause (e.g., 'The person whom I helped').

Can 'which' be used for both people and things in adjective clauses?

Yes, 'which' can be used for both things and non-human nouns. However, 'who' is used for people, and 'that' can be used for both people and things.

What happens if two objects are used in a sentence when forming an adjective clause?

If two objects are used, it creates redundancy. In such cases, one object is removed to avoid confusion. For example, 'The girl whom I saw' instead of 'The girl whom I saw her.'

How do you decide whether to use 'who' or 'which' in a sentence?

'Who' is used for people, and 'which' is used for things or animals. If the noun being described is a person, 'who' is appropriate; for non-human nouns, 'which' is used.