Scribd
Upload
257 views

Relative Clause: Types of Relative Clauses

A relative clause is a dependent clause that provides information about a noun. It begins with a relative pronoun like who, that, or which and cannot stand alone as a sentence. There are two types of relative clauses: restrictive clauses that provide essential information to identify the noun, and non-restrictive clauses that provide extra, non-essential information. Restrictive clauses do not use commas while non-restrictive clauses always use commas.

Uploaded by

Alita Najwa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
257 views

Relative Clause: Types of Relative Clauses

A relative clause is a dependent clause that provides information about a noun. It begins with a relative pronoun like who, that, or which and cannot stand alone as a sentence. There are two types of relative clauses: restrictive clauses that provide essential information to identify the noun, and non-restrictive clauses that provide extra, non-essential information. Restrictive clauses do not use commas while non-restrictive clauses always use commas.

Uploaded by

Alita Najwa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Relative Clause

 What is a relative clause?


A relative clause is one kind of dependent clause. It has a subject and
verb, but can’t stand alone as a sentence. It is sometimes called an
“adjective clause” because it functions like an adjective—it gives more
information about a noun. A relative clause always begins with a “relative
pronoun,” which substitutes for a noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun
when sentences are combined.
 Relative pronoun as subject (bold):
1. I like the person. The person was nice to me. I like the person who
was nice to me.
2. I hate the dog. The dog bit me. I hate the dog that bit me.
3. I am moving to Louisville, Kentucky. It is home to the Muhammad
Ali Museum.I am moving to Louisville, Kentucky, which is home to the
Muhammad Ali Museum.
Types of Relative Clauses
Restrictive Relative Clauses
So we add the clause:
OR
Restrictive relative clauses give information that defines the noun—
information that’s necessary for complete identification of the noun. Use
“that” or “which” for non- human nouns; use “that” or “who” for human
nouns. Do not use commas.
I like the paintings. (Which paintings? We can’t clearly identify them
without the relative clause.)
The paintings hang in the SASB North lobby.
I like the paintings that hang in the SASB North lobby.
I like the paintings which hang in the SASB North lobby. (Again, this is
acceptable, but some people object to using “which” in a restrictive
relative clause. “That” is preferred.)
Students who study hard will do well in my class. (Only this group of
students will do well.)
Students whose grades are low can drop one test score. (Only this group
can drop a test score.)
When the noun is the object of the preposition, both the noun and the
preposition move together to the front of the relative clause. In less
formal English, it’s common to move only the pronoun to the front of the
clause.
I spent hours talking with a person last night. I hope to hear from her.
I hope I hear from the person with whom I spent hours talking last night.
(more formal)
OR
I hope to hear from the person whom I spent hours talking with last night.
(less formal)
Non-restrictive relative clauses
This type of relative clause merely provides extra information. The
information may be quite interesting and important to the larger
conversation, but it is not essential for precise identification of the noun.
“That” cannot be used as a relative pronoun in a non-restrictive relative
clause. Commas are always used at the beginning and end of this type of
relative clause.
A non-restrictive relative clause can modify a single noun, a noun phrase,
or an entire proposition.
My mother is thinking of opening a restaurant. My mother is an excellent
cook.
“My mother” is already a clearly defined noun, so the second sentence
becomes a non-restrictive relative clause set off by commas on both
sides.

2
My mother, who is an excellent cook, is thinking of opening a restaurant.
I’m planning to grow roses. I find roses quite beautiful.
I’m planning to grow roses, which I find quite beautiful.
(not okay) I’m planning to grow roses, that I find quite beautiful.
I’m driving across the country with three small children.
Driving across the country with three small children is going to be
stressful.
I’m driving across the country with three small children, which is going to
be stressful.

TASK 5

You might also like