An adjective clause is a group of words that describes a noun. It usually comes immediately after the noun that it describes.
Adjective clauses help us combine two short sentences. This makes our English clearer and more natural.
The chef is my teacher.
He makes excellent bread.
The chef who makes excellent bread is my teacher.
*Noun.
*Subject.
*Verb.
*Relative word.
In the combined sentence, who makes excellent bread describes the chef. The word who replaces he.
Use who for people
Use who after a noun that refers to a person. In this pattern, who is followed by a verb.
Person + who + verb
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Verb.
A baker who makes bread works here.
The server who helps us is friendly.
The student who cuts the vegetables is careful.
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Verb.
The adjective clauses tell us which baker, server, or student we mean.
Use which for things
Use which after a noun that refers to a thing. Foods, ingredients, tools, and machines are things.
Thing + which + verb
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Verb.
The soup which contains cream is hot.
The knife which cuts the bread is sharp.
The oven which heats the pizza is new.
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Verb.
*Adjective.
Use that for people or things
In simple adjective clauses, that can replace who or which. This is common in everyday English.
The cook that prepares the sauce is my classmate.
The sauce that contains chili is spicy.
The cake that has chocolate is delicious.
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Verb.
*Adjective.
For now, remember this simple guide:
People → who or that
Things → which or that
*Relative word.
Use where for places
Use where after a noun that refers to a place. After where, include a subject and a verb.
Place + where + subject + verb
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Subject.
*Verb.
The kitchen where we practice is clean.
The restaurant where Ana works is busy.
The market where they buy fish is near the school.
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Subject.
*Verb.
*Adjective.
Use when for moments
Use when after a noun that refers to a time or moment. This can be a day, a meal time, or a special event. After when, include a subject and a verb.
Time or moment + when + subject + verb
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Subject.
*Verb.
Lunch is the time when we serve soup.
Friday is the day when the students prepare desserts.
The dinner rush is the moment when the restaurant gets busy.
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Subject.
*Verb.
*Adjective.
Put the adjective clause after the noun
The adjective clause needs to be close to the noun that it describes. This helps the reader understand the sentence.
That contains mushrooms the pizza is good.
The pizza that contains mushrooms is good.
The chef is my teacher who makes bread.
The chef who makes bread is my teacher.
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Verb.
*Adjective.
Do not repeat the subject
When who, which, or that is the subject of the adjective clause, do not add another subject immediately after it.
The cook who he makes pasta is Italian.
The cook who makes pasta is Italian.
The blender that it mixes the sauce is new.
The blender that mixes the sauce is new.
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Repeated subject.
*Verb.
*Adjective.
Choose the correct relative word
Ask one simple question: does the noun name a person, a thing, or a place?
The baker which makes the cake is my friend.
The baker who makes the cake is my friend.
The pan who is on the stove is hot.
The pan which is on the stove is hot.
The café who we eat lunch is small.
The café where we eat lunch is small.
*Relative word.
Quick review
An adjective clause describes a noun. Place it directly after that noun. Use who for people, which for things, that for people or things, where for places, and when for times or moments.
The chef who works here is friendly.
The dish that contains fish is popular.
The kitchen where we study is upstairs.
The time when we prepare dinner is six o'clock.
*Noun.
*Relative word.
*Subject.
*Verb.
Think about your kitchen or classroom. Try to describe one person, one tool, one dish, and one place with an adjective clause. Useful sentences help grammar stay in your memory.