Writing Style

Dependent clauses beginning with the relative pronouns, that, which, or who, are used to describe (or modify) a noun, a phrase, or the entire clause that comes before them. Like all clauses, the adjective clause must have a subject and a verb. The relative pronoun functions as the subject of the clause.

•   modifies a noun or pronoun that is the subject or object of the main clause 

Example: Patients with limited English proficiency were less satisfied with the care that was provided for them.

• Place the adjective clause near the modifies.

• Do not use a comma before an adjective clause that uses "that."

•  used when the adjective clause adds additional information about the main clause

•  modifies the entire clause that comes before it (not just one word or idea)

Example: A limitation of this study was its restriction to one region of the country, which is not enough to generalize it to a larger population. 

• Note that the adjective clause does more than describe a word or idea in the first clause. It is an additional comment.

• Use a comma before an adjective clause that begins with "which."

The pronoun “who” is used when the adjective clause describes a person or people in the main clause. It can modify either the subject or the object of the main clause.

Example A: Job satisfaction is higher in nurses who are led by a transformational leader. 

Example B: Nurses who are led by a transformational leader experience higher job satisfaction.

• Place the adjective clause near the word that it modifies.

• The pronoun “who” should be followed by a verb.

 

Videos

Watch this 9-minute introduction to using relative pronouns.

English With Ashish. (2019, September 2). Relative pronoun -- Which vs that -- Defining and non-defining clause -- Relative clause [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imEtjZ1EgOI

 

Watch this 19-minute extended lesson on using relative pronouns.

LetThemTalkTV. (2021, April 17). Relative pronouns -- That, which, who(m), whose, where, when or nothing? -- Explained with donuts [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meEVMzel0kQ

 

"The Adjective Clause," Grammar Bytes 

"Relative Pronouns: Restrictive and Non-Restrictive," Butte College