6.3 Relative Clauses and Relative Pronouns
3 min read•august 9, 2024
Relative clauses and pronouns are key players in sentence structure. They modify nouns, adding crucial details or extra info. These grammar tools help us create more complex, informative sentences.
Knowing how to use relative clauses and pronouns is a game-changer for clear writing. They let us pack more meaning into our sentences, making our ideas richer and more precise.
Types of Relative Clauses
Understanding Relative Clauses and Their Functions
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- Relative clause modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause by
- Functions as an adjective to describe or identify the antecedent
- Begins with a relative pronoun (, , , , ) or a relative adverb (where, when, why)
- Adds essential or non-essential information to the sentence, depending on the type
- Can be removed from the sentence without changing its core meaning (non-restrictive) or is necessary for the sentence's meaning (restrictive)
Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses
- narrows down or specifies the meaning of the antecedent
- Essential for the sentence's meaning and cannot be removed without changing the intended message
- Not set off by in writing
- Often introduced by "that" or "which" for things, "who" or "whom" for people
- Provides necessary information to identify the specific person, place, or thing being discussed ()
- provides additional, non-essential information about the antecedent
- Can be removed from the sentence without altering its core meaning
- Set off by commas in writing
- Usually introduced by "which" for things and "who" for people
- Adds extra details or background information about the noun being described ()
Relative Pronouns
Functions and Usage of Relative Pronouns
- Relative pronoun introduces a relative clause and connects it to the main clause
- Refers back to the antecedent (noun or pronoun being modified) in the main clause
- Serves as the subject or object of the relative clause
- Chosen based on the antecedent's characteristics (person, thing, possession) and its function in the relative clause
- Can sometimes be omitted in certain contexts, particularly in informal speech
Specific Relative Pronouns and Their Applications
- Who refers to people and functions as the subject of the relative clause (The woman who won the lottery is my neighbor)
- Whom refers to people and functions as the object of the relative clause or a preposition (The candidate whom we interviewed yesterday was impressive)
- Whose indicates possession for both people and things (The dog whose collar is red belongs to my friend)
- Which refers to things or animals and can be used in both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses (The car, which was parked in the driveway, belongs to my parents)
- That refers to people, animals, or things in restrictive clauses only (The movie that we watched last night was terrifying)
Other Key Terms
Understanding Antecedents in Relative Clauses
- Antecedent represents the noun or pronoun in the main clause that the relative clause modifies
- Determines the choice of relative pronoun used to introduce the relative clause
- Can be a person (who, whom, whose), thing (which, that), or animal (which, that, whose)
- Must agree in number and gender with the relative pronoun
- Helps establish the connection between the main clause and the relative clause (The book that I'm reading is fascinating)
Key Terms to Review (17)
Commas: Commas are punctuation marks used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, helping to clarify meaning and separate elements within sentences. They play a crucial role in structuring sentences, especially when integrating relative clauses, which provide additional information about nouns without starting a new sentence.
Defining relative clause: A defining relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that provides essential information about a noun in a sentence, helping to specify which person or thing is being referred to. This clause is integral to the meaning of the sentence and cannot be omitted without losing crucial context. It typically begins with a relative pronoun such as 'who', 'whom', 'whose', 'that', or 'which'.
Modifying a noun: Modifying a noun involves using adjectives, phrases, or clauses to provide additional information about the noun, enhancing its meaning and making sentences more descriptive. This process is crucial for adding specificity, context, and clarity in writing, allowing the reader to understand exactly what is being referred to.
My sister, who lives in paris, is visiting next week: This phrase is an example of a complex sentence that includes a relative clause, specifically 'who lives in Paris.' A relative clause provides additional information about a noun, in this case, 'my sister.' The use of the relative pronoun 'who' helps to connect the additional detail about the sister's location with the main idea that she is visiting.
No commas: No commas is a grammatical guideline that indicates the absence of commas in specific types of sentences particularly in restrictive relative clauses. This rule helps to clarify which information is essential to the meaning of the sentence without separating the clause from the noun it modifies. In this way it emphasizes the importance of the information provided by the clause.
Non-defining relative clause: A non-defining relative clause adds extra information about a noun without limiting or defining it, and is typically set off by commas. This type of clause provides additional context or details that are not essential to the meaning of the main sentence, allowing the sentence to remain clear even if the clause is removed. Non-defining relative clauses often use relative pronouns like 'who,' 'which,' or 'that' to introduce the added information.
Non-restrictive relative clause: A non-restrictive relative clause adds extra information to a sentence but does not limit or define the noun it modifies. This type of clause is typically set off by commas, indicating that the sentence would still make sense without it. Such clauses often begin with relative pronouns like 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.'
Omit the relative pronoun: Omitting the relative pronoun involves leaving out words like 'that,' 'which,' or 'who' in a relative clause when they can be understood from the context. This makes sentences more concise and can enhance clarity without changing the meaning. By omitting these pronouns, the sentence often flows better while still providing essential information about the noun being described.
Providing Additional Information: Providing additional information refers to the grammatical function of expanding or clarifying a sentence by adding details about a noun. This often occurs through the use of relative clauses, which are introduced by relative pronouns, enriching the context and meaning of the main clause.
Relative pronoun antecedent agreement: Relative pronoun antecedent agreement refers to the grammatical relationship where a relative pronoun must agree in number, gender, and person with its antecedent, which is the noun or pronoun that the relative pronoun refers back to. This concept is crucial for ensuring clarity and coherence in sentences that contain relative clauses, as it helps to establish connections between ideas and maintains grammatical accuracy.
Restrictive relative clause: A restrictive relative clause is a type of dependent clause that provides essential information about a noun in the sentence, helping to specify or restrict its meaning. These clauses are necessary for identifying the noun they modify and are introduced by relative pronouns such as 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' Without the restrictive relative clause, the sentence would lose crucial context or detail about the subject.
That: 'That' is a versatile word in English, primarily functioning as a relative pronoun used to introduce relative clauses, which provide additional information about a noun. It can also serve as a conjunction in noun clauses and indicate specific objects or people in context. Its usage enhances sentence clarity and coherence by linking ideas and adding detail without unnecessary repetition.
The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue: This phrase illustrates a complex sentence containing a relative clause that provides additional information about the noun 'book.' The relative clause 'that I borrowed from the library' modifies 'book,' specifying which book is being referred to, while 'is overdue' conveys the status of the book. Understanding this structure helps in recognizing how relative clauses enhance clarity and detail in writing.
Which: 'Which' is a relative pronoun used to introduce relative clauses that provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. It helps specify or clarify the antecedent by linking the relative clause to it, enhancing sentence meaning and structure without creating ambiguity. This makes 'which' essential for forming complex sentences that convey precise relationships between ideas.
Who: The term 'who' is a relative pronoun used to introduce relative clauses, specifically referring to people. It connects the information in a clause to a noun, usually indicating a subject or agent, and helps to provide more detail or clarify who is being discussed in a sentence. Understanding how 'who' functions is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences and for recognizing the subtle differences between similar pronouns.
Whom: Whom is a relative pronoun used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. It's often confused with 'who,' which is used for subjects. Understanding when to use 'whom' involves recognizing its role in relative clauses and being able to distinguish between the two forms based on grammatical function.
Whose: 'Whose' is a relative pronoun used to indicate possession and is commonly employed to introduce relative clauses. It connects additional information about a noun to the main clause, often providing clarity on ownership or relationship, making it essential for detailed descriptions and complex sentences.