Is this an adjective clause?

Question

I wanted to eat chocolate which Emma was unhappy about.

I wanted to eat chocolate. = independent clause

"which Emma was unhappy about" is this an adjective clause as it sounds like it is functioning as an adverb?

Many thanks.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Yes, I believe that it is an adjective/relative clause.

Let me try to explain:

1. Mr. L.G, Alexander in the 1988 edition of Longman English Grammar explains that sometimes "which" is used as
a relative pronoun to refer to the whole idea of the sentence.

2. You need to put a comma after "chocolate." Then your readers will know that they should pause after the word "chocolate."

3. Mr. Alexander says that when you use "which" in this kind of sentence, it means something like "and this."

"I wanted to eat chocolate, and Emma was unhappy about this [fact]."

4. I think that some writing teachers do not like this kind of sentence. But I think that many native speakers like it because

it is a shorter way to express an idea.

a. :"I have decided to marry Mona, which has upset my parents."

= I have decided to marry Mona, and this [fact] has upset my parents.

b. A sentence such as 4a is a shorter way to say:

I have decided to marry Mona. My decision to marry Mona has upset my parents.

HAVE A NICE DAY!

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous"which Emma was unhappy about" is this an adjective clause as it sounds like it is functioning as an adverb?

It is, as you suspect, adverbial. Emma was not unhappy about the chocolate! She was unhappy that you wanted to eat it!

CJ

Is this an adjective clause?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions