Introduction
Relative clauses, also known as adjective clauses, are types of dependent clauses that provide additional information about a noun or noun phrase in a sentence. They are introduced by relative pronouns such as ‘who’, ‘which’, ‘that’, ‘whom’, ‘where’, and ‘whose’.
There are two main types of relative clauses: restrictive and non-restrictive.
- Restrictive Relative Clauses: These are essential to the meaning of the sentence. They specify the noun and cannot be removed without changing the sentence’s meaning. For example, in the sentence “The book that is on the table is mine”, the clause “that is on the table” is a restrictive relative clause.
- Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses: These provide additional information that can be removed without altering the core meaning of the sentence. They are usually set off by commas. For example, in the sentence “My brother, who lives in New York, is a musician”, the clause “who lives in New York” is a non-restrictive relative clause.
Relative pronouns are the words that introduce relative clauses. Here are some common relative pronouns:
- Who: Used for people. Example: “The woman who called yesterday is my aunt.”
- Which: Used for things. Example: “The car which is parked outside is mine.”
- That: Used for people or things in restrictive relative clauses. Example: “The book that I bought is interesting.”
- Whose: Used to show possession. Example: “The man whose car was stolen called the police.”
- Whom: Used for people, typically in formal English or in non-restrictive clauses. Example: “The artist, whom I admire greatly, is holding an exhibition.”
Conclusion
Understanding and using relative clauses effectively can greatly enhance your English writing and speaking skills. They allow for more complex and interesting sentences, providing additional information about the subjects and objects in our statements. Remember, practice is key when it comes to mastering relative clauses, so don’t hesitate to use them in your daily English communication!
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