Do you know what a relative clause is? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on relative clauses, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
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According to K12 Reader, a relative clause is an adjective clause or adverb clause, which is a dependent clause that modifies nouns and pronouns. These usually begin with relative pronouns and relative adverbs including that, who, whom, whose, which, where, when, and why. According to Purdue Owl, relative pronouns used as an object in a restrictive relative clause. Restrictive relative clauses (also known as defining relative clauses) add essential information about the antecedent in the main clause. A relative clause can be a restrictive clause or defining clause and nonrestrictive clause or non-defining clause. The relative pronoun can function as a subject, an object, or a possessive pronoun. The type of relative clause depends on if it adds extra information or non-essential information or if it is crucial to understanding. Non-restrictive relative clauses are not necessary and add additional information unlike an essential clause which adds necessary information. In formal English, grammarians say that the subject of the relative clause can’t be left out, though this is sometimes not the case in spoken English sentence variety if the two people speaking understand the object of the sentence, subject of the clause, object pronouns, or other part of the sentence inherently.
What are examples of relative clauses?
A relative clause can be used in many different contexts in the English language. Trying to use a word or literary technique in a sentence is one of the best ways to memorize what it is, but you can also try making flashcards or quizzes that test your knowledge. Try using this term of the day in a sentence today! The following sentences are examples of relative clauses from Your Dictionary and K12 Reader that can help get you started incorporating this tool into your everyday use.
The driver who ran the stop sign was careless.
I like the lawyer who is in my class.
I don’t like people who interrupt me.
This is the dog that was hit by a car.
I like the clock that chimes the hour.
She remembered the day when they met.
Billy, who I work with, just got relocated yesterday.
The book, which is now out of print, has all the information you need.
The plant, which sits in the window, is getting new leaves.
The teacher, who was about to retire, began writing her memoirs on vacation.
These are the houses that have been affected by a number of people.
This is the gift that everyone is talking about.
The person to whom Candice owes the greatest gratitude is her mother.
I like the girl who runs fast.
The cat, which is very old, ate spaghetti.
We’re going to see a band whose lead singer is a friend of ours
Give the funds to someone who needs cancer treatment.
My doctor is trying a new testing method, which had a 70% success rate.
The office where I work is in this building.
Our early flight is the reason why we need to leave right away in the morning .
The neighbor, who lives down the road, got a new car as one of his prizes.
I have a friend whose cat is annoying.
The cells that we had tested came back as benign.
The university where my sister goes to school is in Chicago.
The woman, who is very old, took a nap.
The hamster, which was in the cage, was running on the wheel and inanimate objects.
These are the people who want to buy my car.
I want to visit the island where my grandma was born.
Grandma remembers a time when radio shows were popular.
Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.
Yellowstone National Park, which opened in 1872 , was the first national park in the country.
Diego biked to the lake where he likes to go swimming .
Kelli visited the office where her dad works .
We’re going to see a band whose lead singer is a friend of ours
The children, whom we love dearly, need better educational systems and lessons.
The phone, which was ringing, was in my bedroom.
This robot, which I adore, is worth over a million German dollars.
My family is taking a trip during the month when I graduate from high school .
Summer is the season when I have the most fun in New York on my bike .
I like the dog that does tricks with a soccer ball.
The cat that is very old needs to see the vet today.
What are other literary techniques and devices?
There are many different literary and grammatical techniques and devices that you might see when you are reading prose or poetry. It is important to recognize these terms because they are always used for some purpose. Knowing these devices can help readers understand the author’s deeper meaning and why they are using such a device. Take a look at the below list of grammatical devices from OED and see how many you know! Then try researching ones that are unfamiliar to you.
Overall, English relative clauses can be either an essential relative clause, finite relative clause, prenominal relative clauses, or nonessential relative clauses.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Kevin
December 8, 2021
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