Mastering Adjectival Clauses: Types & Usage

Posted on Sep 20, 2025 in Art

Adjectival Clauses: Definition & Function

You are likely already familiar with adjectives, which modify nouns and pronouns by providing descriptions or additional information. Similarly, an adjectival clause (also known as an adjective clause or relative clause) is a dependent clause that functions like an adjective. It modifies a nominal element (a noun or pronoun) by providing further description or essential details.

Adjectival clauses clarify the writer’s intent and add depth to sentences. They typically begin with relative pronouns or relative adverbs:

Common Relative Pronouns

  • who
  • whom
  • whose
  • that
  • which

Common Relative Adverbs

  • when
  • where
  • why

Types of Adjectival Clauses

Adjectival clauses are primarily classified into two main types based on the importance of the information they provide:

Restrictive (Defining) Clauses

A restrictive clause (also called a defining or identifying clause) provides information that is essential for understanding the meaning of the nominal element it modifies. Without this clause, the meaning of the sentence would be incomplete or ambiguous. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas.

They usually come immediately after the noun or pronoun they modify and are introduced by a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whom, whose) or a relative adverb (when, where, why). The relative pronoun can often be omitted when it functions as the object of the verb within the relative clause.

Restrictive Clause Examples

  • You have to catch the train that/which leaves at 11:00.
  • The train leaving at 11:00 is late. (This is a participial phrase functioning restrictively.)
  • The train that/which you told me to catch had already left. (Here, “that/which” can be omitted.)
  • Those people whose names are on the list will go to camp.
  • Fruit that is grown organically is expensive.
  • Students who are intelligent get good grades.

Non-Restrictive (Non-Defining) Clauses

A non-restrictive clause (also called a non-defining or adding clause) provides additional, non-essential information about the nominal element. The sentence’s core meaning remains clear even if this clause is removed. Non-restrictive clauses are always set off by commas.

These clauses also come immediately after the nominal element they modify and are introduced by a relative pronoun (which, who, whom, whose) or a relative adverb (when, where, why). Unlike restrictive clauses, the relative pronoun in a non-restrictive clause cannot be omitted.

Non-Restrictive Clause Examples

  • Your train, which leaves at 11:00, is really nice.
  • Pizza, which most people love, is not very healthy.
  • I enjoy telling people about Janet Evanovich, whose latest book was fantastic.
  • His share of the money, which consisted of $100,000, was given to him on Monday.

Special Forms of Adjectival Clauses

Participial Clauses

Participial clauses can function as adjectival clauses, often reducing a relative clause. They can occupy the same position as a relative clause, but they can also appear at the beginning or end of a sentence, depending on the information, style, and speaker’s intention. When functioning as non-defining clauses in written English, they are typically set off by commas.

Participial Clause Examples

  • The train, leaving at 11:00, disappeared slowly in the distance.
  • Leaving at 11:00, the train disappeared slowly in the distance.

Sentential Relative Clauses

A sentential relative clause is a specific type of non-restrictive clause that begins with which. It is used to comment on or provide additional information about the entire situation described in the main clause, rather than just a single noun.

Sentential Relative Clause Example

  • I traveled first class leaving at 11:00, which was very expensive. (Here, “which was very expensive” comments on the entire action of traveling first class leaving at 11:00.)

Comprehensive Adjectival Clause Examples

Here are more examples illustrating various adjectival clauses in action:

  • Eco-friendly cars that run on electricity help the environment.
  • I know someone whose father served in World War II.
  • Grandpa remembers the old days when there was no television.
  • The slurping noise he makes is the main reason why Sue does not like to eat soup with her brother.
  • The kids who were called first will have the best chance of getting a seat.
  • The store where the new phone was being sold had a huge line of people outside it.
  • “He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead.” – Albert Einstein
  • “Those who do not complain are never pitied.” – Jane Austen
  • “People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid.” – Søren Kierkegaard
  • “Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.” – Erma Bombeck

Reducing Adjectival Clauses to Phrases

An adjectival clause that contains a subject pronoun (which, that, or who) can often be shortened into an adjective phrase. This makes sentences more concise without losing meaning.

Methods for Clause Reduction

You can shorten an adjectival clause in two primary ways:

  1. Omit the subject pronoun and the verb “to be” (e.g., is, are, was, were).
  2. Omit the subject pronoun and change the verb to its present participle form (ending in -ing).

Reduction Examples

  • Adjectival Clause: The books that were borrowed from class must be returned.
  • Adjective Phrase: The books borrowed from class must be returned.
  • Adjectival Clause: The girl who is leading the parade is my best friend.
  • Adjective Phrase: The girl leading the parade is my best friend.
  • Adjectival Clause: His share of the money, which consisted of $100,000, was given to him on Monday.
  • Adjective Phrase: His share of the money, consisting of $100,000, was given to him on Monday.
  • Adjectival Clause: Something that smells bad may be rotten.
  • Adjective Phrase: Something smelling bad may be rotten.