Subject and Object Adjective Clauses & Defining and Non-Defining Adjective Clauses

1. Adjective Clauses
ESL 21A

2. I like the elephant.
Do we know which elephant the speaker likes?
No.

3. I like the elephant
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
that is playing soccer.

4. I like the elephant that is playing soccer.
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
S SV V

5. Ex. I like the elephant. The elephant is playing soccer.
Why Adjective Clauses?
• help make writing or speaking more efficient.
• help you avoid short, repetitive sentences.
that

6. What are the relative pronouns?
Humans: that who whose whom
Non-Humans: that which whose

7. Defining & Non-Defining Adjective Clauses
Today’s Focus:
Subject & Object Adjective Clauses

8. Ex. I want the cupcake
Ex. My sister made me delicious cupcakes,
Defining -
Non-Defining -
Tells ‘which one’
Tells ‘extra information” (You know ‘which ones’.)
• Information is necessary.
• Information is not necessary – it’s extra.
Always use comma
when information is extra!
that has chocolate sprinkles.
which I don’t need.

9. Question: Do these sentences have Defining (‘which one’) or
Non-defining (extra information) adjective clauses?
Give It a Try
2. The baby elephant, which lives in a zoo, likes showers.
1. I want the cupcake that my grandmother made.
‘Non-Defining’ Adjective Clause
‘Defining’ Adjective Clause

10. Ex. The cupcakes that are for the wedding
have fancy frosting.
Ex. I want a cupcake that my sister made.
Subject Adjective Clauses
Object Adjective Clauses
S
S
V
VO
Ex. I want a cupcake my sister made.
In an Object Adjective Clause,
the relative pronoun may be
omitted.

11. Question: Do the sentences below have SUBJECT or OBJECT
adjective clauses?
Give It a Try
1. The cupcake that has a cherry on top is chocolate flavored.
2. I want the cupcake that my grandmother made.
S VO
S V
‘Object’ Adjective Clause
‘Subject’ Adjective Clause

12. - END -

13. Pictures for Gallery Walk –
Sticky Note Activity

14. The Great Wall, China

16. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA, USA

19. Xochimilco, Mexico