ADJECTIVE CLAUSES 1
B2–C1 · AdvancedEach item here gives you two short sentences and asks you to combine them into one, using an adjective clause to describe the noun they share. The trick is choosing the right relative pronoun for that noun's role in the second sentence.
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Combine the two sentences using an adjective clause.
1. We found that man's wallet. He lives in Detroit.
The man __________________ wallet we found lives in Detroit.
The man __________________ wallet we found lives in Detroit.
Correct answer: whose — whose = possessive relative pronoun — refers to the man's wallet.
2. We plan to climb that mountain. It isn't too steep.
The mountain __________________ we plan to climb isn't too steep.
The mountain __________________ we plan to climb isn't too steep.
Correct answer: which — which refers to a thing (the mountain) — not a person.
3. Peter sold his car to Hannah. Someone stole the car the following week.
The car __________________ Peter had sold to Hannah was stolen the following week.
The car __________________ Peter had sold to Hannah was stolen the following week.
Correct answer: that — that can refer to things in a defining relative clause.
4. The girl is good at math. She wants to become an engineer.
The girl __________________ is good at math wants to become an engineer.
The girl __________________ is good at math wants to become an engineer.
Correct answer: that — that introduces a defining relative clause about a person.
5. The children were playing loudly. They were being scolded by their parents.
The children __________________ were playing loudly were being scolded by their parents.
The children __________________ were playing loudly were being scolded by their parents.
Correct answer: who — who as subject of the relative clause — the children were playing.
6. I just bought that singer's new album. She's going to be on TV tomorrow.
The singer __________________ new album I just bought is going to be on TV tomorrow.
The singer __________________ new album I just bought is going to be on TV tomorrow.
Correct answer: whose — whose = possessive — refers to the singer's album.
7. He was reading a book. It was boring.
The book __________________ he was reading was boring.
The book __________________ he was reading was boring.
Correct answer: that — that refers to a thing (the book) in a defining relative clause.
8. The teacher praised the essay. It was my brother's essay.
The person __________________ essay the teacher praised was my brother.
The person __________________ essay the teacher praised was my brother.
Correct answer: whose — whose = possessive — the essay belonged to the person praised.
9. The book was written by my sister. It won a literary award.
The book __________________ was written by my sister won a literary award.
The book __________________ was written by my sister won a literary award.
Correct answer: that — that introduces a defining relative clause about the book.
10. That man found my phone. He is very handsome.
The man __________________ found my phone is very handsome.
The man __________________ found my phone is very handsome.
Correct answer: who — who as subject — the man found my phone.
Grammar review
An adjective clause describes a noun, the same way a single adjective would — it just uses a full clause to do it. You may also see this same structure called a relative clause in other grammar books and exercises; both names refer to exactly the same thing. Combining two sentences into one with an adjective clause makes writing tighter and more natural.
Who — for people, subject of the clause: The man who called is my neighbor.
Which — for things or animals: The book which I read was long.
That — for people, things, or animals (informal, common in speech): The dog that barked was loud.
Whose — shows possession, for people or things: The man whose car was stolen called the police.
How to combine: find the noun the two sentences share, then replace it in the second sentence with the correct relative pronoun, and slot that clause right after the noun in the first sentence.
Who — for people, subject of the clause: The man who called is my neighbor.
Which — for things or animals: The book which I read was long.
That — for people, things, or animals (informal, common in speech): The dog that barked was loud.
Whose — shows possession, for people or things: The man whose car was stolen called the police.
How to combine: find the noun the two sentences share, then replace it in the second sentence with the correct relative pronoun, and slot that clause right after the noun in the first sentence.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
Adjective clauses (also called relative clauses) are essential for writing complex, natural-sounding sentences — these exercises develop that skill.
More relative/adjective clause exercises:
Relative clauses 1 (B1/B2)
Relative clauses (who, that) 1 (B1/B2)
Who/which/whose 1 (B1/B2)
Relative pronouns 2 (B1/B2)
Relative adverbs (formal) 1 (B2)
Relative adverbs 1 (B1/B2)
Related clause exercises:
Adverb or noun clause? 1 (C1)
Adverb clauses 1 (B2)
Noun clauses 1 (B2)
Noun clauses 2 (B1/B2)
Noun clauses 3 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
Adjective clauses (also called relative clauses) are essential for writing complex, natural-sounding sentences — these exercises develop that skill.
More relative/adjective clause exercises:
Relative clauses 1 (B1/B2)
Relative clauses (who, that) 1 (B1/B2)
Who/which/whose 1 (B1/B2)
Relative pronouns 2 (B1/B2)
Relative adverbs (formal) 1 (B2)
Relative adverbs 1 (B1/B2)
Related clause exercises:
Adverb or noun clause? 1 (C1)
Adverb clauses 1 (B2)
Noun clauses 1 (B2)
Noun clauses 2 (B1/B2)
Noun clauses 3 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
