Essential and Nonessential Adjective Clauses Examples
Remember that a subordinate, or dependent, clause has a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone. It is "dependent" on the other information in the sentence for meaning.
One type of clause about which you have learned is the adjective clause. Remember that the adjective clause acts as an adjective, giving more information about a noun or pronoun in the sentence. The adjective clause is going to tell you which one, what kind, or how many.
Some adjective clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence. They cannot be taken out of the sentence or the meaning of the sentence will change. Other adjective clauses are nonessential. This means that they could be removed and the sentence will still mean the same thing. They are just extra information that might be nice to know, but is not necessary.
Examples of Essential Adjective Clauses
1. The girl who sits behind me has red hair. (essential to know which girl)
2. I am looking for the place where I left my book. (essential to know which place)
Examples of Nonessential Adjective Clauses
1. My friend Kara, who made an A on our math test today, is coming over to help me study. (not essential to the meaning of the sentence)
2. I am going to the movies with Kevin, who has already seen three movies this summer!
Practice:
1. The leaves are falling off of the trees, which are all oaks. ______
2. The car that pulled out in front of us was green. ______
3. I want to ride the horse that has the black mane. ______
Answer:
1. The leaves are falling off of the trees, which are all oaks. __NE____
2. The car that pulled out in front of us was green. __E____
3. I want to ride the horse that has the black mane. __E____
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