Use Adjective Clause Connector/subjects Correctly

Skill

Use Adjective Clause Connector/subjects Correctly

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In Skill 11 we saw that adjective clause connectors were used to introduce clauses that describe nouns. In Skill 12 we will see that in some cases an adjective clause connector is not just a connector; an adjective clause connector can also be the subject of the clause at the same time.

The woman is filling the glass is on the table.
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
The glass that is on the table contains milk.
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

In the first example there are two clauses: woman is the subject of the verb is filling, and that is the subject of the verb is. These two clauses are joined with the connector that. Notice that in this example the word that serves two functions at the same time: it is the subject of the verb is, and it is the connector that joins the two clauses. The adjective clause that is on the table describes the noun glass.

In the second example, there are also two clauses: glass is the subject of the verb contains, and that is the subject of the verb is. In this example that also serves two functions: it is the subject of the verb is, and it is the connector that joins the two clauses. Because that is on the table is an adjective clause describing the noun glass, it directly follows glass.

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in structure questions on the TOEFL test.

Example from the Paper and Computer TOEFL® Tests
____ is on the table has four sections.
(A) The notebook (B) The notebook which (C) Because the notebook (D) In the notebook

In this example you should notice immediately that the sentence has two verbs, is and has, and each of them needs a subject. You know that table is not a subject because it follows the preposition on; table is the object of the preposition. The only answer that has two subjects is answer (B), so answer (B) is the correct answer. The correct sentence should say: The notebook which is on the table has four sections. In this sentence notebook is the subject of the verb has, and which is the subject of the verb is. Which is also the connector that joins the two clauses.

The following chart lists the adjective clause connector/subjects and the sentence patterns used with them:

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECTS
who (for people) which (for things) that (for people or things)
S V (adjective connector/subject) V
She needs a secretary who types fast.
S adjective connector/subject V V
A secretary who types fast is invaluable.

Exercise

Complete the following exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned:

EXERCISE 12: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Put boxes around the adjective clauses. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

  1. _C__ The ice cream that is served in the restaurant has a smooth, creamy texture.
  2. _I__ The cars are trying to enter the freeway system are lined up for blocks.
  3. ____ I have great respect for everyone who on the Dean's List.
  4. ____ It is going to be very difficult to work with the man which just began working here.
  5. ____ The door that leads to the vault it was tightly locked.
  6. ____ The neighbors reported the man who was trying to break into the car to the police.
  7. ____ These plants can only survive in an environment is extremely humid. _
  8. ____ The boss meets with any production workers who they have surpassed their quotas.
  9. ____ The salesclerk ran after the woman who had left her credit card in the store.
  10. ____ The shoes which matched the dress that was on sale.

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