A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause (which can stand
alone and make sense) and a dependent
clause (which must be
attached to the independent clause to make sense).
Example:
The television was playing (independent clause) as I left the room (dependent clause).
There are three kinds of dependent clauses: adjective clause, adverb clause, and noun clause.
The adjective clause is used to modify a noun or a pronoun. It will begin with a relative pronoun (who, whose, whom, which, and that) or a subordinate conjunction (when and where). Those are the only words that can be used to introduce an adjective clause. The introductory word will always rename the word that it follows and modifies except when used with a preposition which will come between the introductory word and the word it renames.
Examples:
The student whose hand was up gave the wrong answer. (adjective clause)
Jane is a person in whom I can
place my confidence. (adjective clause)
Instructions: Find the adjective dependent clause in the following sentences and tell which word it
modifies.
1. I like a leader who listens to his men.
2. The dog which I loved dearly was hit by a truck last night.
3. Rulon is a person who takes responsibility well.
4. All individuals who purchased tickets will be admitted.
5. The shirt that you bought me doesn't fit well.
6. The woman who baked the winning pie is my wife.
7. You called at a time when I was unable to answer.
8. Gayle is the one for whom you are looking.
9. Those who are willing to serve others will be rewarded.
10. One to whom much is given is expected to give much in return.
--For answers scroll
down.
Answers:
1. I like a leader who listens to his men.
- who listens to his men modifies leader
2. The dog which I loved dearly was hit by a truck last night.
- which I loved dearly modifies dog
3. Rulon is a person who takes responsibility well.
- who takes responsibility well modifies person
4. All individuals who purchased tickets will be admitted.
- who purchased tickets modifies
individual
5. The shirt that you bought me doesn't fit well.
- that you bought me modifies shirt
6. The woman who baked the winning pie is my wife.
- who baked the winning pie modifies woman
7. You called at a time when I was unable to answer.
- when I was unable to answer modifies time
8. Gayle is the one for whom you are looking.
- for whom you are looking modifies one
9. Those who are willing to serve others will be rewarded.
- who are willing to serve others modifies Those
10. One to whom much is given is expected to give much in return.
- to whom much is given modifies one
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