Adjective Clauses Used in Written English by the English Department Students at State University of Padang

The purpose of the research is to explain the quality of students’ in using adjective clauses and to investigate students’ problem in using adjective clauses. This descriptive research also aims to know the types of errors students make in using adjective clauses. The data were grammar test, students’ writing and the result of interview. The source of the data was English Department students of Non Kependidikan 1 and 2 academic year 2013 consisting of 44 students. The finding shows that the quality of students in using adjective clauses is in the level of poor. They have problems as 1). Using relative clause and adverb, 2) Lack of competence in using the function of adjective clause 3). Using nonrestrictive adjective clauses. The reason of students’ problems in using adjective clauses are interlingual and intralingual transfer. These factors give great influence that causes the lack of using adjective clauses. There are some types of errors found in using adjective clauses as addition, omission, misordering, substitution of relative pronoun, and omission of relative pronoun. Therefore, an intensive attention should be given by the lecturer to facilitate the students to practice both written and spoken by using adjective clauses and do peer correction.