9-1 Adjective Clauses

An adjective clause is a part of a sentence that gives us more information about a noun or pronoun.

I love the shoes that you're wearing.
The pineapple which I bought isn't very fresh.

Adjective clauses are introduced by relative pronouns.

which
when
where
who
whom
whose
that

Who, Which, That, Whom

The relative pronouns who, which, and that are used as subjects of verbs in adjective clauses. In the clauses below, that, which, and who are the subjects of the verbs be, sell, and teach.

The man that is cooking the steaks is my friend Carlos.
The store which sells that kind of furniture is Ikea.
The teacher who teaches that class is Mark.

The relative pronouns who, whom, which or that are commonly used as objects of verbs in adjective clauses. You can tell the difference because the subject in the clause is not a relative pronoun.

Do you know the guy that I'm talking about?
The country which you visited last year is Thailand, isn't it?
The doctor who you saw was helpful, right?
I really didn't like the person whom we met last night.

Who and whom are used for people, not things. Whom is only used when the relative pronoun is an object and is more formal than who.

Teachers are people whom I really respect. (formal)
Teachers are people who I really respect. (less formal, casual)

That can be used for both people and things. Which is only used for things.

The library that we visited was quite beautiful.
The library which we visited was quite beautiful.
The officer that spoke to us was quite rude.

Whose, Where, When

The relative pronoun whose can be used in Adjective Clauses when it is important to show possession. In Adjective Clauses, whose must be followed by a noun. It can be used for both people and things:

The man whose medication is on the seat left five minutes ago.
I work for a clinic whose doctor went to high school with my father.
This is the man whose food is from the restaurant nearby.

Where can be used in adjective clauses to describe a place. When can be used to describe a time. Both when and where are only used in adjective clauses as objects.