Adjective Clause (Relative Clause) with 'Who,' .Which,' 'That,' 'Whom,' 'Whose,' 'Where,' or 'When'

The topic of adjective clauses or relative clauses is one of the essential materials that high school, vocational school, and even university students must master thoroughly. Not only are these clauses crucial for constructing efficient English sentences, but they are also a common testing point frequently featured in TOEFL® and TOEIC® exams. In this post, we will explore adjective clauses or relative clauses in greater depth.

A. Adjective Clause Using Subject Pronouns; "Who," "Which," "That"

Example sentences:

• She is the doctor. She treated me when I was sick.
  She is the doctor who treated me when I was sick.
  She is the doctor that treated me when I was sick.
• The movie was directed by a first-time filmmaker. It won the award.
  The movie which won the award was directed by a first-time filmmaker.
  The movie that won the award was directed by a first-time filmmaker.
• She works for a company. It produces eco-friendly products.
  She works for a company which produces eco-friendly products.
  She works for a company that produces eco-friendly products.

Important Notes about Adjective Clause Using "Who," "Which," and "That"

"Who," "which," and "that" function as subjects in adjective clauses.

• "Who" is used to replace the subject referring to a person.
• "Which" is used to replace the subject referring to a thing.
• "That" can replace the subject referring to either a person or a thing, but can only be used in defining relative clauses. (Read 👉 Combining Sentences Using Adjective Clauses or Relative Clauses).

B. Adjective Clause Using Object Pronouns; "Who(m)," "Which," "That"

Example sentences:

• The student was overjoyed. The teacher praised her for her hard work.
  The student (whom) the teacher praised for her hard work was overjoyed.
  The student (that) the teacher praised for her hard work was overjoyed.
• The book is fascinating. I borrowed it from the library
  The book (which) I borrowed from the library is fascinating.
  The book (that) I borrowed from the library is fascinating.
• The gift is truly special. My friend gave it to me on my birthday.
  The gift (which) my friend gave me on my birthday is truly special.
  The gift (that) my friend gave me on my birthday is truly special.

Important Notes about Adjective Clause Using "Who(m)," "Which," "That"

• "Whom" is used to replace the object referring to a person and is typically found in formal English. In informal English and casual conversation, "who" is more commonly used in place of "whom."
• Which" is used to replace the object referring to a thing.
• That" can replace the object referring to either a person or a thing and is more commonly used than "which." However, "that" can only be used in defining relative clauses. (Read: Combining Sentences Using Adjective Clauses or Relative Clauses).
• In spoken English, "who," "which," or "that" is often omitted.

C. Adjective Clause Using "Whose"

Example sentences:

• I met a man. His car had broken down on the highway.
  I met a man whose car had broken down on the highway.
• The house is being repaired. Its roof was damaged in the storm.
  The house whose roof was damaged in the storm is being repaired.

Important Notes about Adjective Clause Using "Whose"

• In adjective clauses or relative clauses, "whose" is used to indicate possession, replacing "his," "her," "its," or "their."
• Like "his," "her," "its," and "their," "whose" is always followed by a noun.
• Unlike some other relative pronouns, "whose" cannot be omitted.

D. Adjective Clause Using "Where"

Example sentences:

• This is the cafe. We first met here (at the cafe).
  This is the cafe where we first met.
  This is the cafe at which we first met.
  This is the cafe (which) we first met at.
• The park is near our house. The children play there (in the park).
  The park where the children play is near our house.
  The park in which the children play is near our house.
  The park (which) the children play in is near our house.

Important Notes about Adjective Clause Using "Where"

• "Where" in adjective clauses or relative clauses is used to describe a place.
• When "where" is used, a preposition (such as in, from, to, at, on, under, or above) is not needed in the adjective clause. Conversely, if "where" is not used, the preposition must be included. (See the examples above).

E. Adjective Clause Using "When"

Example sentences:

• I’ll never forget the day. We went hiking together on that day.
  I’ll never forget the day when we went hiking together.
  I’ll never forget the day on which we went hiking together.
  I’ll never forget the day that we went hiking together.
• That was the period. He started his own business during that period.
  That was the period when he started his own business.
  That was the period during which he started his own business.
  That was the period that he started his own business.

Important Notes about Adjective Clause Using "When"

• "When" in adjective clauses or relative clauses is used to describe time, and can be replaced by "that".
• When "when" is used, a preposition (such as in, on, or at) is not needed in the adjective clause. However, if "when" is not used, the preposition must be included. (See the examples above).

More about Adjective Clause

• To learn whether an adjective clause should be written with a comma (",") or not, refer to 👉 "Combining Sentences Using Adjective Clauses (Relative Clauses).
• Also, check out 👉 "How to Reduce an Adjective Clause into an Adjective Phrase" for more insights.

* Updated on:

1. Tues, Oct 2, 2012.
2. Wed, Jan 8, 2025