Reduced Relative Clauses

Definition

Reduced relative clauses are shortened forms of relative clauses that provide additional information about a noun without using a full clause. They typically eliminate the relative pronoun (like 'who' or 'that') and a form of the verb 'to be,' allowing for more concise expressions. This makes sentences smoother and less cumbersome, enhancing readability and flow.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reduced relative clauses often use participles, allowing them to function without the full structure of a relative clause.
2. They can make sentences more efficient by condensing information and removing unnecessary words.
3. For example, the full relative clause 'The man who is running' can be reduced to 'The man running,' removing the relative pronoun and auxiliary verb.
4. Reduced relative clauses can refer to people, objects, or ideas, making them versatile in their application.
5. These clauses help avoid repetition and improve sentence variety, which is especially useful in academic and professional writing.

Review Questions

• How do reduced relative clauses contribute to sentence efficiency compared to full relative clauses?
  • Reduced relative clauses make sentences more efficient by condensing information and removing elements that can be inferred from context. Instead of using the full structure of a relative clause, which includes a relative pronoun and auxiliary verb, reduced forms streamline the sentence. For instance, changing 'the book that was written by the author' to 'the book written by the author' eliminates redundancy, making the expression clearer and more fluid.
• What are some common transformations from full relative clauses to reduced relative clauses, and what are their implications for writing style?
  • Common transformations involve dropping the relative pronoun and the verb 'to be.' For example, 'the students who are studying' becomes 'the students studying.' This change results in a more concise expression that enhances readability. The implications for writing style include improved clarity and sophistication, as reduced clauses allow writers to convey complex ideas more simply while maintaining flow.
• Evaluate the role of reduced relative clauses in formal writing versus conversational language; how does their usage differ?
  • In formal writing, reduced relative clauses play a critical role in enhancing clarity and conciseness, allowing authors to present complex information efficiently without overwhelming the reader. In contrast, conversational language may lean more on full relative clauses as they provide clearer context and sound more natural in spoken dialogue. Evaluating their usage reveals that while reduced forms elevate written communication through brevity, maintaining clarity is essential in all contexts.

Related terms

Relative Clause: A clause that modifies a noun and usually begins with a relative pronoun such as 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.'

Non-finite Verb: A verb form that does not show tense and cannot serve as the main verb in a sentence, such as infinitives, gerunds, and participles.

Participle Phrase: A phrase that begins with a participle (a verb form used as an adjective) and adds detail to a noun, often acting similarly to reduced relative clauses.