Relative Clause

Introduction

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb.

An independent clause is a complete sentence. It contains the main subject and verb of a sentence.

A dependent clause is not a complete sentence. It must be connected to an independent clause.

An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun. It describes, identifies, or gives further information about a noun. (An adjective clause is also called a relative clause.)

Using Subject Pronouns : Who (used for people), Which (used for things).

I thank the woman.

She helped me.

I thank the woman who helped me.

----> I thank the woman = an independent clause.

         who helped me = an adjective clause

The adjective clause modifies the noun woman.

The book is mine.

It is on the table.

The book which is on the table is mine.

Using Object Pronouns : Whom (used for people), Which (used for things).

The man was Mr. Jones

I saw him

The man whom I saw was Mr. Jones

The movie wasn't very good.

We saw it last night.

The movie which we saw last night wasn't very good.

Using Whose

I know the man.

His bicycle was stolen.

I know the man whose bicycle was stolen.

The student writes well.

I read her composition.

The student whose composition I read writes well.

Note : Whose is used to show possession. It carries the same meaning as other possessive pronouns used as adjectives: his, her, its, and their. Like his, her, its and their, whose is connected to a noun :

his bicycle -----> whose bicycle.

her composition -------> whose composition.