2. Typical Errors: Noticing the Gap
The lawyer informed all of us that the document was
signed in 1991 ceased to be valid in 2001.
Where did you put the letter that I wrote it yesterday?
To check out a book from the downtown public library,
patrons need a special card who has their current
address on the top.
Marvin Brown’s best-selling book that written in 2007
caused many problems in the business community.
Congress wants to know the names of the banks what
are willing to invest in our economy now.
3. What is an Adjective Clause?
Adjectives and Adjective Clauses describe or give more
information about a noun.
I rented a big house.
I rented a house that had six bedrooms.
ATTENTION: Position of adjectives and adjective clauses.
4. Use of Relative Pronouns
A relative pronoun is a pronoun in an adjective clause.
Most common: who, whom, that, which.
Who, whom and that: used for people
Which and that: used for things
Other Relative Pronouns: whose, where, when.
5. Relative Pronouns as Subjects
and Objects in Adjective Clauses
A person who builds houses is a carpenter.
I hope to meet the person whom you hired.
This book is the type of literature which is interesting to
me.
This book is the kind of literature which Matthew likes.
Restrictive and non-restrictive clauses: The usage of
that.
One incredible country which I visited in 2007 was Peru.
Peru, which I visited in 2007, was incredible.
6. Relative Pronouns as Subjects
and Objects in Adjective Clauses
A person who builds houses is a carpenter.
I hope to meet the person whom you hired.
This book is the type of literature which is interesting to
me.
This book is the kind of literature which Matthew likes.
Restrictive and non-restrictive clauses: The usage of
that.
One incredible country that I visited in 2007 was Peru.
Peru, which I visited in 2007, was incredible.
7. Reduction of Adjective Clauses
Omitting SUBJECT + be:
The magazines that are on the table belong to me
The magazines on the table belong to me. (prepositional
phrase)
People who are living in the dorm now will get a refund.
People living in the dorm now will get a refund. (Present
Participle)
The students that had been chosen for the contest were
very happy.
The students chosen for the contest were very happy. (Past
Participle)
8. Reduction of Adjective Clauses
Reducing SUBJECT + VERB: change thses two parts to
the –ing form.
Who/which/that + VERB VERB + -ing
On domestic flights that last at least three hours, a meal is
served.
On domestic flights lasting as least three hours, a meal is
served. (Present Participle)
9. Reduction vs Omission
Consider these sentences:
The sentence that you are reading right now contains an
adjective clause.
The sentence that has twelve words seems hard to
understand.
Sentences that are written in Japanese are much harder to
understand.
10. Reduction vs Omission
Consider this sentence:
The sentence that you are reading right now contains an
adjective clause.
How it goes:
The sentence you are reading right now contains an
adjective clause. (Omission)
11. Reduction vs Omission
Consider this sentence:
The sentence that has twelve words seems hard to
understand.
How it goes:
The sentence having twelve words seems hard to
understand. (Reduction)
12. Reduction vs Omission
Consider this sentence:
Sentences that are written in Japanese are much harder to
understand.
How it goes:
Sentences written in Japanese are much harder to
understand. (Reduction)
13. Reduction vs Omission
How it goes:
The sentence you are reading right now contains an
adjective clause. (Omission)
The sentence having twelve words seems hard to
understand. (Reduction)
Sentences written in Japanese are much harder to
understand. (Reduction)
15. Class Plan: or “How on Earth can
I teach Adjective Clauses
Inductively?”
Level: Advanced
Approach: Conversation
Material: Slides with pictures
16. Which puppy do you prefer?
Use “I prefer the one that...”
17. Direct exposion to the language
I prefer the cute dog.
I prefer the smallest dog.
I prefer the dog that is listening to music. (Adjective
Clause)
