Grammar · Phrasal verbs

Phrases & Clauses

Phrases & Clauses

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Phrases

A phrase is a group of words that function as a single unit within a sentence but does not have both a subject and a verb. Phrases can serve various grammatical functions, such as providing additional information, describing something, or connecting ideas. Examples include

“in the morning,”

“under the table,” and

“with a smile.”

Phrases can be noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases, adverbial phrases, or prepositional phrases, depending on their role and structure within a sentence.

Grammar

Adjective clause

Adjective clause

Adjective clause definition

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Adjective clause definition

An adjective clause is a type of dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in a sentence. It functions as an adjective, providing additional information about the noun or pronoun that it modifies. 

Adjective clauses usually begin with a relative pronoun (such as who, whom, whose, which or that) or a relative adverb (such as when, where or why).

Example:

The woman who is wearing a blue dress is my sister.

Noun: woman

Adjective clausewho is wearing a blue dress, modifies the noun “woman”.

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How to identify an adjective clause in a sentence?

To identify an adjective clause in a sentence, look for a group of words that begin with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, or that) or a relative adverb (when, where, or why) that modifies a noun or pronoun in a sentence.

The woman who is wearing a red hat is my sister.

Adjective clause – who is wearing a red hat.

Noun – woman

Relative pronoun – who (introduces the clause)

verb – ‘is wearing’ describes the action of the woman.

It is important to note that an adjective clause is a type of dependent clause, meaning it cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be attached to an independent clause.

Types of adjective clauses

  1. Restrictive adjective clauses.
  2. Non-restrictive adjective clauses.
  1. Restrictive adjective clauses –

    Example: The dog that barked at me is my neighbor’s pet.

    In this sentence, the adjective clause “that barked at me” restricts the noun “dog” to a specific dog, distinguishing it from other dogs. The clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence because it identifies the specific dog being referred to.

    Also known as defining or essential clauses, restrictive adjective clauses provide essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify. They restrict or narrow down the meaning of the noun or pronoun. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas, and they are necessary for the sentence to make sense.

  1. Non-Restrictive Adjective Clauses: Also known as non-defining or non-essential clauses, non-restrictive adjective clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify. They do not restrict or narrow down the meaning of the noun or pronoun. Non-restrictive clauses are set off by commas, and they can be removed from the sentence without affecting its basic meaning.

Example: My neighbor’s dog, which barks all night long, is driving me crazy.

In this sentence, the adjective clause “which barks all night long” provides additional information about the dog, but it does not restrict the meaning of “My neighbor’s dog.” The clause is non-essential and can be removed without affecting the basic meaning of the sentence.

Understanding the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses is important for clear and effective writing.

 

Uses of adjective clauses

Adjective clauses have several uses in writing and speech. Here are a few:

  1. Modify nouns and pronouns: The primary use of adjective clauses is to modify nouns and pronouns, providing additional information about them. For example, in the sentence “The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting,” the adjective clause “that I borrowed from the library” modifies the noun “book” by specifying which book is being referred to.

  2. Add descriptive details: Adjective clauses can add descriptive details to a sentence, making it more interesting and informative. For instance, in the sentence “The woman who is wearing a red hat is my sister,” the adjective clause “who is wearing a red hat” adds a descriptive detail about the woman. 

  3. Create complex sentences: Adjective clauses can be used to create complex sentences, which can make writing more sophisticated and interesting. By adding additional information to a noun or pronoun, adjective clauses can create more complex sentences that convey more nuanced meanings.

  4. Avoid repetition: Adjective clauses can be used to avoid repetition in writing by providing additional information about a noun or pronoun without having to repeat it. For example, instead of saying “The car is red. The car has leather seats,” you could say “The car that has leather seats is red.”

  5. Overall, adjective clauses are a useful tool for writers and speakers to provide additional information and create more complex and interesting sentences.

Adjective clause worksheet 1

  1. The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting. Answer: Adjective clause – that I borrowed from the library; modifies – the book

  2. The man whom we met yesterday is my friend’s father. Answer: Adjective clause – whom we met yesterday; modifies – the man

  3. The car, which is parked outside, belongs to my neighbor. Answer: Adjective clause – which is parked outside; modifies – the car

  4. The cake that my mom baked for me was delicious. Answer: Adjective clause – that my mom baked for me; modifies – the cake

  5. The restaurant where we had dinner last night was expensive. Answer: Adjective clause – where we had dinner last night; modifies – the restaurant

Adjective clause worksheet 2

  1. The man who is talking to your mother is my uncle. Adjective clause: who is talking to your mother Modifies: man

  2. The book that I bought yesterday is on the shelf. Adjective clause: that I bought yesterday Modifies: book

  3. The woman whose dog chased my cat is my neighbor. Adjective clause: whose dog chased my cat Modifies: woman

  4. The movie that we saw last night was really scary. Adjective clause: that we saw last night Modifies: movie

  5. The car, which is parked outside, belongs to my friend. Adjective clause: which is parked outside Modifies: car

  6. The food that I ate at the new restaurant was delicious. Adjective clause: that I ate at the new restaurant Modifies: food

  7. The children who are playing in the park are having a great time. Adjective clause: who are playing in the park Modifies: children

  8. The laptop, which I bought last year, is still working well. Adjective clause: which I bought last year Modifies: laptop

Adjective clause worksheet 3

  1. The cake that my grandmother made for my birthday was delicious. Adjective clause: that my grandmother made for my birthday Modifies: cake

  2. The woman who I met at the party is a doctor. Adjective clause: who I met at the party Modifies: woman

  3. The house whose roof is red is for sale. Adjective clause: whose roof is red Modifies: house

  4. The dog, which is wagging its tail, seems friendly. Adjective clause: which is wagging its tail Modifies: dog

  5. The teacher who teaches math is my favorite. Adjective clause: who teaches math Modifies: teacher

  6. The song that we heard on the radio is stuck in my head. Adjective clause: that we heard on the radio Modifies: song

  7. The restaurant, where we had dinner last night, was really busy. Adjective clause: where we had dinner last night Modifies: restaurant

  8. The student whose grades improved is working hard. Adjective clause: whose grades improved Modifies: student

Uses of adjective clause
Grammar

Noun clause

Noun clause

Definition

In simpler terms, noun clause does the work of a noun

Difference between noun phrase & noun clause

Let’s see these two examples.

1. I know to play cricket.

2. I know that I can play cricket.

In the first example, I know to play cricket, ‘to play cricket‘, is a phrase as it does not contain a subject or predicate. This phrase is the object of the verb “know” and hence does the work of a noun. Therefore it is a noun phrase.

In the second example, I know that I can play cricket, ‘that I can play cricket‘, contains a subject and  predicate of its own. It is therefore a clause. This clause is the object of the verb “know” and so does the work of a noun. Therefore it is a noun clause.

That you have done scares her.

Subject: ‘that you have done’.

Verb: scares

That you have done‘, does the work of a noun, and hence it is a Noun clause. 

All clauses, and here Noun clause, is a group of words which contains a Subject and a predicate of its own, and does the work of a noun.

How to easily identify a noun clause?

Noun clauses begin with the words

“who, whom, whether, why, that, what, when, where, how, whoever”

Noun clause with examples
Noun clause with examples

Example: Whoever submitted their note can go on the field trip.

Explanation: ‘Whoever submitted their note’ is the noun clause and it takes the place of the subject and hence is called the ‘subject noun clause’.

Noun clause with examples

Example: You know what he did to the dog.

Explanation: ‘what he did to the dog’ is the noun clause and it takes the place of the object and hence is called the ‘object noun clause’.

Noun clause with examples

Example: The astronomer predicted whether it will rain or not. 

Explanation: ‘whether it will rain or not’ is the noun clause and it takes the place of predicate and hence is called the ‘predicate nominative’.

Noun clause with examples

A mini quiz on the topic that we learnt just now. 

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Noun clause

Choose the correct noun clauses in the following sentences.

1 / 11

1. I am afraid whether the bus will come on time.

2 / 11

2. That he lied to me, upsets me.

3 / 11

3. I wonder what time I will reach the destination.

4 / 11

4. The book which he read was awesome.

5 / 11

5. The teacher asked if I did my homework.

6 / 11

6. I am unsure where he placed the jacket.

7 / 11

7. I don't know whether he needs medicine.

8 / 11

8. She believes that he will come to the party.

9 / 11

9. I am glad that I got the deal.

10 / 11

10. She is worried whether he will like the present.

11 / 11

11. The physician told me that I need to exercise more.

Your score is

The average score is 89%

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