Adjective Clauses - 7

Using Adjective Clauses - 7

Clauses with Where and When

In addition to adjective clauses that begin with "normal" relative pronouns (who, who[m], that, which, whose), there are also adjective clauses that begin with where and when.

Adjective clauses beginning with "where" add information about a place, while adjective clauses beginning with "when" add information about a time.

Examples:

1. Where

The building is on Central Avenue/Lena works in the building.

The building where Lena works is on Central Avenue.

Note:

The sentence with where has an adjective clause: where Lena works. In the clause,

where is used in the same way as a relative pronoun. The clause modifies the building.

The town is about 100 miles south of here/John's relatives live in the city.

The town where John's relatives live is about 100 miles south of here.

Note:

The sentence with where has an adjective clause: where John's relatives live. In the clause, where is used in the same way as a relative pronoun. The clauses modify the town.

They live in a building. There are many floors in the building.

They live in a building where there are many floors.*

Note:

In the sentence above, the adjective clause is where there are many floors. The clause modifies a building.

2. When

I'll always remember the day. We met on the day.

I'll always remember the day when we met.*

Note:

In the sentence above, the adjective clause is when we met. The clause modifies the day.

Autumn is the season. The leaves of many trees change color during

the season.

Autumn is the season when the leaves of many trees change color.*

Note:

In the sentence above, the adjective clause is when the leaves of many trees change color. The clause modifies the season.

Thanksgiving is a holiday. Families like to gather together on the holiday.

Thanksgiving is a holiday when families like to gather together.*

Note:

This time the adjective clause is when families like to gather together. The clause modifies a holiday.

Special Notes:

1. Do not use prepositions before either where or when in an adjective clause:

Incorrect: *The building in where Lena works is on Central Avenue.

Incorrect: *They live in a building in where there are many apartments.

Incorrect: *I'll always remember the day on when we met.

Incorrect: *Autumn is the season during when the leaves of many trees change color.

2. In very formal writing, you may, however, use prepositions before which--but not before that:

Correct: The building in which Lena works is on Central Avenue.

Incorrect: *The building in that Lena works is on Central Avenue

Correct: They live in a building in which there are many apartments.

Incorrect: *They live in a building in that there are many apartments.

Correct: I'll always remember the day on which we met.

Incorrect: *I'll always remember the day on that we met.

Correct: Autumn is the season during which the leaves of many trees change color.

Incorrect: *Autumn is the season during that the leaves of many trees change color.