2. Some adjective clauses
can be shortened to
descriptive phrases.
We can shorten an adjective
clause in which the relative
pronoun is followed by a form
of the verb to be.
3. What are the forms of
the verb to be?
Present: am, is, are
Past: was, were
4. In this case, you can
leave out the relative
pronoun AND the verb
to be.
5. People who are unhappy
with the amount of spam
they receive should write
to their lawmakers
People unhappy with the
amount of spam they
receive should write to their
lawmakers.
6. Pierre Omidyar, who is the
founder of eBay, is one of
the richest men in the
world
Pierre Omidyar, the founder
of eBay, is one of the
richest men in the world
7. If the adjective clause is
in the passive voice, the
descriptive phrase will
begin with a past
participle:
8. One-half of all the e-mail
that is sent today is spam
One-half of all the e-mail
sent today is spam
9. There are about 78 items
that are listed on eBay
There are about 78 items
listed on eBay
10. If the adjective clause is
in a continuous tense,
the descriptive phrase
will begin with a present
participle:
11. A man who is living in
Florida retired at the age
of 37 after making millions
in the spam business
A man living in Florida
retired at the age of 37
after making millions in the
spam business
12. Shoppers who are using
eBay can locate a hard-to-
find item
Shoppers using eBay can
locate a hard-to-find item
13. A descriptive phrase can
give a definition or
information about the noun
it follows.
This is called an appositive.
14. Spam, which is unwanted
commercial e-mail, is an
annoying problem
Spam, unwanted
commercial e-mail, is an
annoying problem
15. eBay, which is an auction
Web site, is very popular
eBay, an auction Web site,
is very popular.
