Adjective Clause Review in the SSC, October 12, 2016
Basically, Unit 12 is a review of what was taught in Level 40 about adjective clauses. One new aspect is the following:
Today, Dewey helped us in the SSC. This clarified many of my doubts.
Today, Dewey helped us in the SSC, which clarified many of my doubts.
“which” refers to the entire previous clause. This kind of adjective clause always requires a comma.
Formal/informal
Three students whom I have known for several terms came to see me. [most formal, written English]
Three students who I have known for several terms came to see me. [less formal]
Three students that I have known for several terms came to see me. [less formal]
Three students (-) I have known for several terms came to see me. [least formal, most common, spoken English]
Jude, whom I have known for 1 year, came to see me. [most formal, written English]
Jude, who I have known for 1 year, came to see me. [less formal, most common]
Jude, that I have known for 1 year, came to see me.
Commas
Non-identifying/non-essential/non-restrictive adjective clauses must have commas around them. The commas mean that the clause is not necessary to identify the noun.
Situation 1
Dewey’s sister loves Donald Trump. [Dewey actually has several sisters, but he doesn’t think that it’s important to identify which sister he is talking about.]
Situation 2
Dewey’s sister who lives in Iowa loves Donald Trump. [Dewey’s has more than one sister.]
Dewey’s brother, who lives in Arizona, prefers Clinton. [Dewey has one brother.]
The sister, who is much older than Dewey, respects Dewey’s hatred of Trump. [“the sister” was already identified in the first sentence. The adjective clause in this sentence just gives extra, non-essential information.]
Adjective clauses with prepositions
It is considered a bit informal to end a clause or a sentence with a preposition.
The UP2 students (that) Dewey was speaking to were thankful for the help.[informal/spoken English]
The UP2 students that Dewey was speaking to were thankful for the help. [slightly more formal]
The UP2 students who Dewey was speaking to were thankful for the help. [slightly more formal]
The UP2 students whom Dewey was speaking to were thankful for the help. [quite formal, written English]
Formal English requires the preposition to be at the front of the adjective clause before the pronoun.
The UP2 students to whomDewey was speaking were thankful for the help.
Adjective clauses with quantifiers
This afternoon, Dewey taught UP2 students. Five of them were new.
This afternoon, Dewey taught UP2 students,five of whom were new.
Dewey uses milk every morning. He gives some of it to his cat.
Dewey uses milk every morning, some of which he gives to his cat.
Dewey uses milk, some of which he gives to his cat, every morning.
Adjective clauses with nouns
Difficult subjects motivate students to go to the SSC. An example of one is grammar.
an example of which is grammar.
Difficult subjects, an example of which is grammar, motivate students to go to the SSC.
Where/When
In order to use “where” and “when” in an “adjective clause,” you must have a place noun or time noun before it.
Dewey will go to an appointment when he finishes the tutorial. [Not an adj clause; this is just an adverbial clause.]
Dewey will go to an appointment at 5:00. He will finish tutorial then. (when)
Dewey will go to an appointment at 5:00,when he finishes tutorial.
Dewey will go to the clinic.There, the doctor will tell him how healthy is.
Dewey will go to the clinic, where the doctor will tell him how healthy is.