Relative Clauses

Relative Clauses 

What is a clause?  A clause is a group of words that consists of a subject and a predicate. 

The subject is what (or whom) the sentence is about, while the predicate tells something about the subject.

Judy and her dog run on the beach every morning.

There are two major types of clauses:

I. Independent clauses

An independent clause, also called a main clause, is like a sentence. It consists of a subject and a predicate and can stand alone like a sentence. Examples:

She died last week

He likes her.

II. Dependent clauses

A dependent clause, also called subordinate clause, has a subject and a verb but, unlike an independent clause, it cannot stand alone as a sentence. Examples:

because I am in love.

that you lent me.

What is a relative clause?

A relative clause is one kind of dependent clause. 

• Has a subject and verb
• Can’t stand alone as a sentence
• Sometimes called an “adjective clause” 
  • 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 Pronouns 

Pronoun	Stands For	Uses
who	people	substitutes for subject nouns/pronouns (he, she, we, they)
whom	people	substitutes for object nouns/pronouns (him, her, us, them)
whose	people or things	substitutes for possessive nouns/pronouns (his, hers, our, their)
that	people or things	can be used for either subject or objectcan only be used in restrictive relative clauses
which	things	can be used for either subject or objectcan be used in non-restrictive relative clausescan also be used in restrictive relative clauses, though some people don’t like this use

I. Defining relative clauses

• Give essential information about someone or something 
• Information that we need in order to understand what or who is being referred to. 
• A defining relative clause usually comes immediately after the noun it describes.

Usually use a relative pronoun (who, that, which, whose, whom) to introduce a defining relative clause 

They’re the people who want to buy our house.

Punctuation: In writing, we don’t use commas in defining relative clauses:

This is a man who takes his responsibilities seriously.

Not: This is a man, who takes his responsibilities seriously.

What is a reduced relative clause? 

• A way of using a relative clause without the relative pronoun
• Reduces the number of words used and is more concise 

Einstein, who is thought to be one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century, struggled in school

Einstein, thought to be one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century, struggled in school

Three Ways to Reduce a Defining Relative Clause

1. Drop the relative pronoun (who, which, whose or whom) and the verb be. 

A person who is trained in music might be a good DJ.

A person trained in music might be a good DJ. 

2. Drop who or that and change the verb to a gerund 

Someone who needs job security might not want to be a jazz musician 

Someone needing job security might not want to be a jazz musician. 

3. Use with to replace who/that + verb

A person who has a good voice could be a good TV journalist

A person with a good voice could be a good TV journalist. 

II. Non-defining relative clauses

• Give extra information about a person or thing 
• Not necessary information – don’t need it to understand who or what is being referred to.

Always use a relative pronoun (who, which, whose or whom) to introduce a non-defining relative clause 

Clare, who I work with, is doing the London marathon this year.

Warning: We don’t use that to introduce a non-defining relative clause:

Allen, who scored three goals in the first game, was the only player to perform well.

Not: Allen, that scored three goals in the first game, was the only player to perform well.

Punctuation: In writing, we use commas around non-defining relative clauses:

Etheridge, who is English-born with Irish parents, replaces Neil Francis, whose injury forced him to withdraw last week.

Spoken English: In speaking, we often pause at the beginning and end of the clause:

Unlike American firms – which typically supply all three big American car makers – Japanese ones traditionally work exclusively with one maker. (formal)

And this woman – who I’d never met before – came up and spoke to me. (informal)

How do you use non-defining relative clauses as sentence modifiers?

• Use a non-defining relative clause with which to make a comment about an entire sentence. 

I have three cats, which means there’s usually a lot of cat fur on my clothes. 

• Can contain almost any verb
• Some of the most common verbs are:

• surprise
• depress
• encourage
• suggest (that)
• contribute (to)
• result (in) 

My teacher praised my English today, which encourages me to study harder.