Both noun clause and relative (adjective) clause start with a relative pronoun who, whom, whose, which, that.
Noun Clause
Function: Acts as a noun in the sentence.
It can be a subject, object, subject complement, object of a preposition, or appositive.
What it does: Names a person, place, thing, or idea.
How to identify it: Ask yourself if you can replace the clause with a single noun or pronoun. If so, it’s likely a noun clause.
Examples:
What he said surprised me. (subject)
I know that you are right. (object)
The truth is that I was scared. (subject complement)
I’m interested in what you think. (object of a preposition)
Adjective Clause (Relative)
Function: Acts as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun in the sentence.
What it does: Provides more information about the noun it modifies.
How to identify it: It usually starts with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative adverb (where, when, why).
Examples:
The book that I borrowed [is] overdue. (modifies “book”)
The woman who lives next door [is] a doctor. (modifies “woman”)
The city where I was born [is] far away. (modifies “city”)