Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 6: The Clause: Independent and Subordinate Clauses

Lesson 1: Subordinate Clauses: The Adjective Clause

In this Grade 5 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students learn to identify and use subordinate clauses and adjective clauses, including how relative pronouns such as who, which, that, whom, and whose connect an adjective clause to the noun or pronoun it modifies. The lesson explains that subordinate clauses cannot stand alone as complete sentences and that adjective clauses tell which one or what kind about a person, place, thing, or idea. Practice exercises guide students through recognizing adjective clauses in context and distinguishing them from independent clauses.

Section 1

Subordinate (or Dependent) Clauses

Definition

A subordinate (or dependent) clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence.

Explanation

Think of a subordinate clause as a puzzle piece, not the whole picture! Even though it has a subject and a verb, it can't be a sentence on its own because it leaves you wondering what happened. Remember to look for special starting words like which, when, or if to spot them.

Examples

  • My brother enjoys movies, which are best seen in a theater. [This word group begins with which, but the word group does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone. Therefore, the word group is a subordinate clause.]
  • After the storm passed, we saw a rainbow. [This word group expresses a complete thought and can stand alone. Therefore, the word group is not a subordinate clause.]

Section 2

The Adjective Clause

Definition

An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun.

Explanation

An adjective clause does the same job as a single adjective, but it's a whole group of words! It helps you by answering the questions “which one?” or “what kind?” about a noun. These clauses usually start with special connecting words and follow right after the word they describe.

Examples

  • The dog that lives next door barks a lot. [The adjective clause that lives next door describes the noun dog.]
  • She is the person who found my lost keys. [The adjective clause who found my lost keys describes the noun person.]
  • My cousin, whose bike I borrowed, lives in the city. [The adjective clause whose bike I borrowed describes the noun cousin.]

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Chapter 6: The Clause: Independent and Subordinate Clauses

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    Lesson 1: Subordinate Clauses: The Adjective Clause

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    Lesson 2: Subordinate Clauses: The Adverb Clause

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Section 1

Subordinate (or Dependent) Clauses

Definition

A subordinate (or dependent) clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence.

Explanation

Think of a subordinate clause as a puzzle piece, not the whole picture! Even though it has a subject and a verb, it can't be a sentence on its own because it leaves you wondering what happened. Remember to look for special starting words like which, when, or if to spot them.

Examples

  • My brother enjoys movies, which are best seen in a theater. [This word group begins with which, but the word group does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone. Therefore, the word group is a subordinate clause.]
  • After the storm passed, we saw a rainbow. [This word group expresses a complete thought and can stand alone. Therefore, the word group is not a subordinate clause.]

Section 2

The Adjective Clause

Definition

An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun.

Explanation

An adjective clause does the same job as a single adjective, but it's a whole group of words! It helps you by answering the questions “which one?” or “what kind?” about a noun. These clauses usually start with special connecting words and follow right after the word they describe.

Examples

  • The dog that lives next door barks a lot. [The adjective clause that lives next door describes the noun dog.]
  • She is the person who found my lost keys. [The adjective clause who found my lost keys describes the noun person.]
  • My cousin, whose bike I borrowed, lives in the city. [The adjective clause whose bike I borrowed describes the noun cousin.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 6: The Clause: Independent and Subordinate Clauses

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    Lesson 1: Subordinate Clauses: The Adjective Clause

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Subordinate Clauses: The Adverb Clause

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