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Relative Clauses

The document explains relative clauses, which are subordinate clauses that modify nouns by providing additional information. It details the use of relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that, whose) and adverbs (where, when, why), highlighting their grammatical functions and distinctions between defining and non-defining clauses. Understanding these elements enhances sentence complexity and clarity in writing.

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2 views

Relative Clauses

The document explains relative clauses, which are subordinate clauses that modify nouns by providing additional information. It details the use of relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that, whose) and adverbs (where, when, why), highlighting their grammatical functions and distinctions between defining and non-defining clauses. Understanding these elements enhances sentence complexity and clarity in writing.

Uploaded by

zetobossman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EL 123

Grammar

Relative Clauses

What is a Relative Clause?


A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that modifies a
noun or noun phrase. It provides additional information about the noun
it modifies, helping to identify or describe it more specifically. Think of it
as an adjective clause, adding extra detail to the noun, just like adjectives
do. Without relative clauses, our sentences would be simpler but less
informative and interesting.
A relative clause typically begins with a relative pronoun or a relative
adverb. These words connect the clause to the noun it modifies. The most
common relative pronouns are who, whom, which, that, and whose.
The common relative adverbs are where, when, and why. The choice of
which word to use depends on the noun being modified and the type of
information being added.
For example, in the sentence

"The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting,


" the relative clause "that I borrowed from the library" modifies the noun
"book." It tells us which specific book is being referred to. Similarly, in
"The restaurant where we had dinner last night was excellent," the relative
clause "where we had dinner last night" modifies "restaurant," specifying
which restaurant.

Relative Pronouns:
Who and Whom
The relative pronouns who and whom are used to refer to people. The
main difference between them lies in their grammatical function within
the relative clause. Who is used as the subject of the clause, while whom

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is used as the object. Remembering this distinction can significantly
improve the accuracy of your sentences.
Here are some examples to illustrate their usage:

• Who: The man who helped me with my luggage was very kind.

• Who:
• The students who study hard usually get good grades.

• Whom:
• The author whom I admire has written many novels.

• Whom:
• The candidate whom the committee selected is highly qualified.

In the first two examples, who is the subject of the verbs "helped" and
"study". In the last two, whom is the object of the verbs "admire" and
"selected". It's worth noting that in informal English, who is often used in
place of whom, but for formal writing and exams, it’s important to use
whom correctly.

Relative Pronouns:
Which and That
The relative pronouns which and that are used to refer to things and
animals. However, there's a key difference in how they are used. Which
is typically used in non-defining relative clauses, while that is used in
defining relative clauses. Understanding this distinction is crucial for
correct usage.
A defining relative clause (also called an essential relative clause)
provides information that is essential for identifying the noun it modifies.
It cannot be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence. It is
not set off by commas. In contrast, a non-defining relative clause (also
called a non-essential relative clause) adds extra information that is not
essential for identifying the noun. It can be removed without changing
the main meaning of the sentence, and it is set off by commas.
Here are some examples:
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• That (defining):
• The car that I bought last year is very reliable.

• Which (non-defining):
• My house, which is located near the park, is very convenient.

In the first example, "that I bought last year" is essential for identifying
which car is being referred to. In the second, "which is located near the
park" provides additional, but not essential, information about the house.

Relative Pronoun:
Whose
The relative pronoun whose indicates possession. It is used to show that
something belongs to someone or something else. Whose can refer to
both people and things, making it a versatile tool in constructing complex
sentences that show relationships and ownership.
Here are some examples of how to use whose:

• The student whose essay won the competition received a prize.

• The company whose profits have increased is expanding its


operations.

• I met a woman whose daughter is a famous actress.

In each of these sentences, whose connects the noun to the thing or


person that it possesses or is related to. For instance, in the first example,
the essay belongs to the student. In the second, the profits belong to the
company. And in the third, the daughter belongs to the woman. The key
is that whose always indicates a relationship of possession or belonging.

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Relative Adverbs:
Where, When, and Why
Relative adverbs (where, when, and why) introduce relative clauses that
modify nouns related to place, time, and reason, respectively. They offer
a concise way to add information about the circumstances or context of
an event or situation. Understanding how to use these adverbs can
significantly enhance the clarity and complexity of your writing.
Let’s examine each relative adverb with examples:

• Where:
• This is the park where I first met my best friend.

• When:
• I remember the day when I graduated from college.

• Why:
• The reason why I exercise is to stay healthy.

In these examples, where modifies "park," indicating the place where the
speaker met their friend. When modifies "day," specifying the time of
graduation. Why modifies "reason," explaining the cause for exercising.
These adverbs provide a direct and clear connection between the noun
and the relative clause.

Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses


The difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses is
critical for punctuation and meaning. A defining relative clause provides
essential information needed to identify the noun it modifies, while a
non-defining relative clause adds extra information that is not essential.
Defining Relative Clauses:

• Provide essential information

• Not set off by commas

• Use that or who/whom for people; that or which for things

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Non-Defining Relative Clauses:

• Add extra, non-essential information

• Set off by commas

• Use who/whom for people; which for things

Examples to illustrate the difference:

• Defining: The book that I borrowed from the library is very


interesting.

• Non-Defining: My house, which is located near the park, is very


convenient.

In the defining example, we need the information "that I borrowed from


the library" to know which book is being discussed. In the non-defining
example, "which is located near the park" is extra information about the
house, but we already know which house is being referred to (my house).
Punctuation is key in distinguishing these types of clauses.

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