468. An adjective clause may be introduced by a relative pronoun or a relative adverb. For lists, see [§ 377].
I. Relative Pronouns
- The architect who designed this church was a man of genius.
- The painter whom Ruskin oftenest mentions is Turner.
- A piece of amber which is rubbed briskly will attract bits of paper.
- The day that I dreaded came at last.
- The plain through which this river flows is marvelously fertile.
- The book from which I got this information is always regarded as authoritative.
- A friend in whom one can trust is a treasure beyond price.
- The boys with whom he associates do him no good.
II. Relative Adverbs
- The spot where the Old Guard made their last stand is marked by a bronze eagle.
- The morning when I arrived in Rome is one of my pleasantest memories.
- The year after Ashton left home brought fresh disaster.
- The land whence Scyld drifted in his magic boat will never be known.
Note. A preposition and a relative pronoun may often replace a relative adverb. Thus, in the second example, on which might be substituted for when.
II. PARTICIPLES
469. The subject may be modified by a participle (with or without modifier or complement).
- 1. Smiling, the child shook his head.
- 2. My aunt, reassured, took up her book again.
- 3. The prisoner sank back exhausted.
- 4. Exasperated beyond endurance, the captain cut the rope.
- 5. John, obeying a sudden impulse, took to his heels.
- 6. Having broken one oar, Robert had to scull.
- 7. The natives, fearing captivity above all things, leaped into the river.
- 8. Albert left the room, looking rather sullen.
In the fourth example the participle is modified by an adverbial phrase; in the fifth and sixth, it has an object; in the seventh, it has both an object and a modifier; in the eighth, it is followed by the predicate adjective sullen. In analysis, the whole participial phrase (consisting of the participle and accompanying words) may be treated as an adjective phrase modifying the subject; but it is simpler to regard the participle as the modifier, and then to enumerate its modifiers, etc., separately.