Reduced relative clauses with adjectives

Sometimes we use a relative clause with an adjective.

• The boy, who was happy, went home.

We can reduce a relative clause with an adjective by putting the adjective in front of the noun.

• The happy boy went home.

Sometimes we use a relative clause with an adjective phrase.

• The boy, who was happy about winning the match, went home.

We can't say 'the happy about winning the match boy'. So instead, we reduce the relative clause by

dropping 'who' and the verb.

• The boy, happy about winning the match, went home.

Here's another example. You can see the difference between a single adjective (excited) that moves to

the front of the noun, and an adjective clause (excited about Christmas) that can't go in front of the

noun.

• Normal relative clause: The children, who were excited, were very sweet.

• With the adjective at the front: The excited children were very sweet.

• Normal relative clause: The children, who were excited about Christmas, were very sweet.

• Reduced relative clause: The children, excited about Christmas, were very sweet.

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Let's review! Can we move the adjective to the front of the noun? Move it if possible, otherwise make

a reduced relative clause.

1. The children, who were pleased about the meal, went to the kitchen.

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2. The girl who was frightened hid behind the sofa.

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3. The mother, who was proud of her children, took lots of photos.

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4. We saw the tower, which is famous.

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5. My friend, who is crazy, wanted to swim in the freezing sea.

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6. The woman who is responsible for looking after everyone was away.

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7. I bought a car which is fast.

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8. The children, who were tired, went to bed early.

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9. James, who was bored of the weather, booked a flight to Spain.

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10. That is the man who is annoyed with everyone.

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Answers

1. The children, pleased about the meal, went to the kitchen.

2. The frightened girl hid behind the sofa.

3. The mother, proud of her children, took lots of photos.

4. We saw the famous tower.

5. My crazy friend wanted to swim in the freezing sea.

6. The woman responsible for looking after everyone was away.

7. I bought a fast car.

8. The tired children went to bed early.

9. James, bored of the weather, booked a flight to Spain.

10. That is the man annoyed with everyone.

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May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.