Chapter 9: Diagramming
Relative Pronouns

There are only five relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, that, which). They introduce adjective clauses.

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An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that is used as an adjective. (That means that it modifies a noun or pronoun.) They can also be introduced by relative adverbs.

A relative pronoun links an adjective clause with a word in the independent clause that it modifies. It also acts as a subject, direct object, object of the preposition, or a modifier within the adjective clause.

For example, let's look at the sentence that is diagrammed at the top of this page:

• Independent clause = This is the house

• Dependent adjective clause = that Jack built

• Relative pronoun = that

• Adjective clause is modifying = house

There is also one more piece of information that we need to find out. What is the relative pronoun's job in the adjective clause that Jack built?

You can see from the diagram that it is acting as the direct object. Think of it as Jack built that.

See these pages for help:

• Relative Pronouns

• Clauses

• Complex Sentences

Ready? You can do this! The answers are at the bottom of the page.

9.0 Diagramming Adjective Clauses

Directions: When diagramming adjective clauses, follow these steps:

1. Identify the independent clause, dependent clause, and the relative pronoun.

2. Figure out which word in the independent clause the adjective clause is modifying.

3. Decide how the relative pronoun is acting in the adjective clause.

4. Diagram each clause as you would on its own, but put a dotted line connecting the relative pronoun with the word in the independent clause that it is modifying.

Example 1: The book that I read was great!

Example 2: Mark swam in the lake which was cold.

1. I love the person who cleaned the house!

2. Colin walked into the house that had been sold.

3. Are teachers who are extra nice paid double?

4. The boy with whom I spoke drew that picture.

5. Teachers whose students are motivated happily work overtime.

Answers!

9.0 Diagramming Adjective Clauses

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