2. Another way to give more information about
a main noun is by adding an adjective clause
after it.
main noun adjective clause
We know a lot of
He is looking for an interesting
I have a
I prefer
NOUN PHRASE
people
job
boss
activities
who can speak two languages.
that pays a lot of money.
who doesn’t like to make decisions.
that I can do outdoors.
GRAMMAR TERM: A clause is a group of words with a subject
and a verb.
4. Adjective clauses often begin with a word like
that or who. This word refers back to the noun
or pronoun before it.
Do you know everyone that works here?
I would fire an employee who was dishonest.
Words like that and who can be the subject of
an adjective clause.
5. However, when there is another subject, we can
usually leave out that or who.
Do you want to see the coat I bought?
(the coat I bought = the coat that I bought)
Many of the people I know are artists.
(the people I know = the people who I know)
6. Notice that a noun + an adjective clause can
come in the middle of a sentence.
When are the people who are doing the work going to be finished?
The class I need to graduate was canceled.
8. An adjective clause lets us combine two ideas
into one sentence.
We bought some milk yesterday.
Idea 1 Idea 2
Where is it?
Where’s the milk (that) we bought yesterday?
9. I have a good friend.
Idea 1 Idea 2
He helps me all the time.
I have a good friend who helps me all the time.
A tornado has very strong winds.
Idea 1 Idea 2
They blow in a circle.
A tornado has very strong winds that blow in a circle.
An adjective clause lets us combine two
ideas into one sentence.
