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An Overview of Adjective Clauses
In the chart below, R
stands for restrictive. A restrictive adjective clause defines,
identifies, specifies, or limits the noun it modifies. Information in these
clauses is essential; in other words, the information it provides about the
modified noun is important and helps the reader make sense of the whole
sentence. No commas are used with restrictive (limiting) adjective clauses.
NR stands for
non-restrictive. A non-restrictive adjective clause gives extra information
about the noun it modifies. The sentence would make perfect sense by itself
without the non-essential information provided by the adjective clause. As
with all extra, non-essential information, non-restrictive clauses are set
off with commas.
Read the example sentences
in the chart below. Identify the subject and verb in each adjective clause.
(Remember that a clause, by its definition, must have a subject and a verb.
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Relative Pronoun
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Type
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Example Sentences
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that
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R
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The Health Alert
Network is a nationwide program that provides information and
defense against health threats, including
bacterial infection resulting from bioterrorism.
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which
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R
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The Center for
Disease Control is the organization which is leading the
development of the HAN in collaboration with other health
organizations.
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who
|
R
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People who
handle animals infected with anthrax or products from such animals
may contract cutaneous (skin) anthrax.
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which
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NR
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Inhalation anthrax,
which is usually fatal, begins with symptoms that
resemble the common cold.
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where
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R
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People who work
with animal hides and furs in areas where standards are
insufficient to prevent exposure to anthrax spores should be
vaccinated against anthrax.
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whose
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NR
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Biological weapons, whose low cost
and simplicity of design make them weapons of choice for terrorist
organizations, pose a significant threat to people's
health and security.
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preposition + which
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NR
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Trenton, New Jersey,
from which a contaminated letter was sent to NBC headquarters in
New York, is believed to have been the place of residence for
one or two of the hijackers in the September 11th attack.
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when
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R
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September 11 will
always be remembered as the infamous day when terrorists attacked
America.
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whom
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NR
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The Taliban, whom
governments around the world hold responsible for many terrorist attacks,
harbor extremists in Afghanistan.
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which to modify idea or whole main clause
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NR
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The Department of
Defense now requires that military personnel involved in conflicts be
vaccinated against anthrax, which is a wise precautionary measure.
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that (as object pronoun)
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NR
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Anthrax, a disease
that most people had never heard of or thought about, has
become a household word in the war against terrorism.
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quantity + of
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NR
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New York fire
fighters, hundreds of whom died trying to rescue victims
at the World Trade Center, are hailed as heroes.
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