Mastering Relative Clauses: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering Relative Clauses: A Comprehensive Guide

by

Relative clauses are a powerful tool in English grammar. They help you connect ideas, add detail, and describe people, places, or things more precisely—all without starting a new sentence. Instead of saying “I met a woman. She is a doctor,” you can say “I met a woman who is a doctor.”

Understanding how to use relative clauses can greatly improve both your writing and speaking skills. Whether you want to explain something more clearly, sound more fluent, or write more advanced sentences, mastering relative clauses is an essential step.

In this guide, you’ll learn what relative clauses are, how they’re structured, and when to use them. You’ll explore the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses, how to choose the right relative pronoun (like who, which, or that), and how to avoid common mistakes.

This article is perfect for English learners at any level—from beginners just starting to expand their sentence structures, to advanced students polishing their grammar for academic writing or fluent conversation. Let’s get started and unlock the full potential of relative clauses in your English!

Table of Contents

What are Relative Clauses?

A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It provides additional information about the noun it modifies, helping to identify or describe it more specifically. Relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that, whose) or relative adverbs (where, when, why). These clauses function as adjectives, adding detail to the noun they follow.

Think of relative clauses as extra pieces of information attached to a noun. They answer questions like “which one?”, “what kind?”, or “whose?”.

By adding these details, we create more complex and informative sentences. Understanding how to construct and use relative clauses correctly is a key step in mastering English grammar and writing.

Structure of Relative Clauses

The structure of a relative clause typically involves a relative pronoun or adverb followed by a subject and a verb. However, the subject may sometimes be omitted, particularly when the relative pronoun is the object of the verb in the relative clause. The entire relative clause is embedded within the main clause, directly after the noun it modifies. For example, in the sentence “The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting,” the relative clause is “that I borrowed from the library” and it modifies the noun “book”.

The basic pattern of a relative clause is: Noun + Relative Pronoun/Adverb + Subject + Verb (+ Object/Complement). However, variations exist based on the specific relative pronoun or adverb used and the role it plays within the clause. Understanding this basic structure is crucial for both identifying and constructing effective relative clauses.

Types of Relative Clauses

Relative clauses are broadly categorized into two main types: defining (or restrictive) and non-defining (or non-restrictive). The distinction lies in whether the relative clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Defining relative clauses are necessary to identify the noun they modify, while non-defining relative clauses provide extra, non-essential information.

Defining Relative Clauses

Defining relative clauses (also known as restrictive relative clauses) are essential for identifying the noun they modify. Without the defining relative clause, the sentence would be unclear or ambiguous. These clauses are not set off by commas. The relative pronouns that, who, which, and whose can be used in defining relative clauses, and the relative pronoun can sometimes be omitted.

For instance, consider the sentence “The car that I bought last week is already having problems.” The relative clause “that I bought last week” is essential because it specifies which car is having problems. Without it, we wouldn’t know which car the speaker is referring to. These clauses are integral to the sentence’s meaning.

Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Non-defining relative clauses (also known as non-restrictive relative clauses) provide extra information about a noun that is already clearly identified. This information is not essential to the meaning of the sentence; it simply adds detail. Non-defining relative clauses are always set off by commas. The relative pronouns who, which, and whose can be used in non-defining relative clauses, but that cannot. The relative pronoun cannot be omitted.

For example, in the sentence “My sister, who lives in London, is a doctor,” the relative clause “who lives in London” provides additional information about the speaker’s sister. However, the sentence would still make sense without it: “My sister is a doctor.” The commas indicate that this information is non-essential and simply adds detail.

Relative Pronouns and Adverbs

Relative pronouns and adverbs connect the relative clause to the noun it modifies. Each has specific uses depending on the type of noun being modified and the role the pronoun or adverb plays within the relative clause.

Choosing the correct relative pronoun or adverb is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences.

Who

Who is used to refer to people and acts as the subject of the relative clause. It is used in both defining and non-defining relative clauses.

Example: The woman who is speaking is my teacher.

Whom

Whom is used to refer to people and acts as the object of the verb or preposition in the relative clause. While grammatically correct, it is less common in spoken English, where who is often used instead. It is more formal and typically found in writing.

Example: The man whom I saw yesterday is a famous actor.

Which

Which is used to refer to things or animals. It is used in both defining and non-defining relative clauses. In defining relative clauses, that is often preferred over which. However, in non-defining relative clauses, only which can be used.

Related Learning Post  Descriptive Adjectives: Examples and Comprehensive Usage Guide

Example: The car, which is parked outside, is mine.

That

That is used to refer to people, things, or animals in defining relative clauses. It is often preferred over who and which in defining relative clauses because it is less formal. It cannot be used in non-defining relative clauses.

Example: The book that I borrowed is very interesting.

Whose

Whose is used to show possession and can refer to people, things, or animals. It is used in both defining and non-defining relative clauses.

Example: The student whose essay won the competition is very talented.

Where

Where is used to refer to places. It introduces a relative clause that provides information about a location.

Example: The city where I was born is very beautiful.

When

When is used to refer to times or occasions. It introduces a relative clause that provides information about a specific time.

Example: The day when I met her was unforgettable.

Why

Why is used to refer to reasons. It introduces a relative clause that explains the reason for something.

Example: The reason why I am late is because of the traffic.

Examples of Relative Clauses

To further illustrate the use of relative clauses, let’s examine a variety of examples, categorized by whether they are defining or non-defining. These examples will demonstrate how relative clauses add detail and clarity to sentences, and how the choice of relative pronoun or adverb affects the meaning.

Defining Relative Clause Examples

Defining relative clauses are essential for identifying the noun they modify. The following table provides numerous examples of defining relative clauses, showcasing the use of different relative pronouns and adverbs.

Notice that these clauses are not set off by commas, as they are integral to the sentence’s meaning.

Sentence Relative Clause Relative Pronoun/Adverb
The book that I ordered arrived today. that I ordered that
The person who called was very polite. who called who
The car which I bought is very reliable. which I bought which
The house where I live is very old. where I live where
The day when I graduate will be special. when I graduate when
The reason why I am happy is because of you. why I am happy why
The student whose project won the award is very talented. whose project won the award whose
The movie that we watched was amazing. that we watched that
The woman who is wearing a red dress is my sister. who is wearing a red dress who
The dog which is barking is very friendly. which is barking which
The restaurant where we ate last night was excellent. where we ate last night where
The time when I feel most relaxed is in the morning. when I feel most relaxed when
The reason why I study hard is to get good grades. why I study hard why
The author whose book I read is very famous. whose book I read whose
The song that is playing on the radio is my favorite. that is playing on the radio that
The man who helped me was very kind. who helped me who
The bike which I ride to work is very old. which I ride to work which
The park where I play is very green. where I play where
The year when I was born was very interesting. when I was born when
The cause why I am sad is because of failure. why I am sad why
The artist whose painting is in the museum is great. whose painting is in the museum whose
The article that I read was very informative. that I read that
The girl who is laughing is my friend. who is laughing who
The cat which is sleeping on the sofa is mine. which is sleeping on the sofa which
The shop where I buy my clothes is very stylish. where I buy my clothes where
The month when I go on vacation is July. when I go on vacation when
The purpose why I am here is for learning. why I am here why
The musician whose song I love is performing tonight. whose song I love whose

Non-Defining Relative Clause Examples

Non-defining relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information about a noun that is already clearly identified. These clauses are always set off by commas. The following table provides numerous examples of non-defining relative clauses, showcasing the use of different relative pronouns and adverbs. Note that that cannot be used in non-defining relative clauses.

Sentence Relative Clause Relative Pronoun/Adverb
My mother, who is a teacher, is very patient. who is a teacher who
The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is a famous landmark. which is in Paris which
My car, whose engine is very powerful, is quite old now. whose engine is very powerful whose
London, where I used to live, is a great city. where I used to live where
December, when it snows a lot, is my favorite month. when it snows a lot when
The project, why it failed, is still unknown. why it failed why
My brother, who is a doctor, works at the hospital. who is a doctor who
The book, which I read last week, was very interesting. which I read last week which
My house, whose roof is red, is located on the corner. whose roof is red whose
Rome, where I spent my vacation, is a beautiful city. where I spent my vacation where
Summer, when the weather is warm, is my favorite season. when the weather is warm when
The problem, why it occurred, remains unclear. why it occurred why
My friend, who is a musician, plays the guitar. who is a musician who
The painting, which is hanging on the wall, is very valuable. which is hanging on the wall which
The company, whose headquarters are in New York, is very successful. whose headquarters are in New York whose
Tokyo, where the Olympics were held, is a modern city. where the Olympics were held where
January, when the year begins, is a time for new beginnings. when the year begins when
The situation, why it escalated, is still being investigated. why it escalated why
My teacher, who is very knowledgeable, is always helpful. who is very knowledgeable who
The movie, which I watched last night, was very scary. which I watched last night which
My neighbor, whose garden is beautiful, is a talented gardener. whose garden is beautiful whose
Paris, where I plan to visit, is known for its art. where I plan to visit where
Spring, when flowers bloom, is a beautiful time of year. when flowers bloom when
The mystery, why it happened, is still unsolved. why it happened why
My colleague, who is very efficient, is a great asset. who is very efficient who
The technology, which is constantly evolving, is very exciting. which is constantly evolving which
The author, whose books are popular, is very inspiring. whose books are popular whose
Related Learning Post  English Spelling Rules: A Comprehensive Guide

Usage Rules for Relative Clauses

Using relative clauses correctly involves understanding several key rules. These rules govern the choice of relative pronoun or adverb, the placement of commas, and the overall structure of the sentence.

Adhering to these rules ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy.

First, ensure that you choose the correct relative pronoun or adverb based on the noun being modified and its role in the relative clause (as subject or object). Second, remember to use commas to set off non-defining relative clauses.

Finally, pay attention to the word order within the relative clause to maintain grammatical correctness.

Omission of Relative Pronouns

In defining relative clauses, the relative pronouns that, who, and which can sometimes be omitted when they are the object of the verb in the relative clause. However, the relative pronoun cannot be omitted if it is the subject of the verb. This omission is more common in informal English.

For example, “The book that I read was interesting” can be shortened to “The book I read was interesting.” However, “The book that is on the table is mine” cannot be shortened to “The book is on the table is mine” because *that* is the subject of the verb *is*.

Prepositions in Relative Clauses

Prepositions can appear at the beginning or end of a relative clause. In formal English, the preposition usually comes before the relative pronoun whom or which. In informal English, the preposition often comes at the end of the relative clause, and who or that can be used instead of whom or which.

For example, “The man to whom I spoke was very helpful” (formal) or “The man who I spoke to was very helpful” (informal). Similarly, “The chair on which I sat was broken” (formal) or “The chair that I sat on was broken” (informal).

Common Mistakes with Relative Clauses

Several common mistakes can occur when using relative clauses. One frequent error is confusing that, which, and who. Remember that that can only be used in defining relative clauses, which is used for things, and who is used for people. Another common mistake is omitting commas in non-defining relative clauses or including them in defining relative clauses.

Another error is incorrectly placing prepositions within the sentence. Always ensure that prepositions are correctly positioned, either before the relative pronoun in formal English or at the end of the clause in informal English.

Here are some specific examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect Correct Explanation
The book, that I read, was interesting. The book that I read was interesting. That should not be used with commas in defining relative clauses.
My sister who’s name is Sarah is a doctor. My sister, whose name is Sarah, is a doctor. Whose shows possession and requires commas for non-defining clauses.
The car which I bought it is red. The car which I bought is red. Avoid unnecessary pronouns within the relative clause.
The woman I spoke to whom was very kind. The woman to whom I spoke was very kind. OR The woman who I spoke to was very kind. Correct preposition placement and pronoun choice.
The reason why I am late because the bus was late. The reason why I am late is because the bus was late. Ensure proper sentence structure and avoid double conjunctions.
The house where I live it is old. The house where I live is old. Avoid unnecessary pronouns within the relative clause.
The man, who I met yesterday, he is a doctor. The man who I met yesterday is a doctor. Avoid redundant pronouns within the main clause.
The book, which cover is torn, is mine. The book whose cover is torn is mine. Use ‘whose’ to show possession.
That is the person who I gave the book. That is the person to whom I gave the book. OR That is the person who I gave the book to. Correct preposition placement.
The city when I live is beautiful. The city where I live is beautiful. Use ‘where’ to refer to places.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of relative clauses, complete the following practice exercises. Identify the relative clauses in each sentence and determine whether they are defining or non-defining.

Then, fill in the blanks with the appropriate relative pronoun or adverb.

Exercise 1: Identifying Relative Clauses

  1. The man ______ I saw yesterday is my neighbor.
  2. My car, ______ is very old, still runs well.
  3. The book ______ I am reading is very interesting.
  4. The city ______ I was born is very crowded.
  5. The reason ______ I am happy is because of you.
  6. The student ______ project won the competition is very talented.
  7. My friend, ______ is a musician, plays the guitar.
  8. The house ______ roof is red is located on the corner.
  9. The time ______ I feel most relaxed is in the morning.
  10. The problem ______ it occurred remains unclear.

Exercise 2: Choosing the Correct Relative Pronoun/Adverb

  1. The movie _______ we watched last night was excellent.
  2. My sister, _______ lives in London, is a doctor.
  3. The restaurant _______ we ate is on Main Street.
  4. The author _______ book I read is very famous.
  5. The day _______ I graduate will be special.
  6. The woman _______ is wearing a red dress is my teacher.
  7. The park _______ I play is very green.
  8. The painting _______ is hanging on the wall is valuable.
  9. The year _______ I was born was very interesting.
  10. The company _______ headquarters are in New York is successful.
Related Learning Post  Mastering the Pronunciation of 'R' Sound

Exercise 3: Combine the sentences using relative clauses

  1. I met a man. He is from Spain.
  2. The book is on the table. I borrowed it from the library.
  3. She is talking to a woman. The woman is a doctor.
  4. I live in a city. It is famous for its museums.
  5. He bought a car. The car is very expensive.
  6. I have a friend. Her name is Sarah.
  7. The movie was great. We watched it last night.
  8. The restaurant is new. It serves delicious food.
  9. I visited a park. It is located near my house.
  10. She is wearing a dress. It is blue.
Exercise Question Number Answer
Exercise 1 1 whom/that
2 which
3 that
4 where
5 why
6 whose
7 who
8 whose
9 when
10 why
Exercise 2 1 that
2 who
3 where
4 whose
5 when
6 who
7 where
8 which
9 when
10 whose
Exercise 3 1 I met a man who is from Spain.
2 The book that I borrowed from the library is on the table.
3 She is talking to a woman who is a doctor.
4 I live in a city which is famous for its museums.
5 He bought a car which is very expensive.
6 I have a friend whose name is Sarah.
7 The movie that we watched last night was great.
8 The restaurant that serves delicious food is new.
9 I visited a park which is located near my house.
10 She is wearing a dress which is blue.

Advanced Topics in Relative Clauses

For advanced learners, understanding more complex aspects of relative clauses can further enhance their writing and comprehension skills. These topics include reduced relative clauses and cleft sentences with relative clauses, which allow for more concise and stylistically sophisticated expression.

Reduced Relative Clauses

Reduced relative clauses are shortened forms of relative clauses where the relative pronoun and auxiliary verb are omitted. These are typically used when the relative pronoun is followed by a verb in the continuous (-ing) or past participle form.

This reduction makes the sentence more concise and fluid.

For example, “The woman who is speaking is my teacher” can be reduced to “The woman speaking is my teacher.” Similarly, “The book that was written by a famous author is very popular” can be reduced to “The book written by a famous author is very popular.”

Cleft Sentences with Relative Clauses

Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of a sentence. They often involve a relative clause to highlight the emphasized element.

Cleft sentences typically begin with “It + be verb + emphasized element + relative clause.” These constructions add emphasis and stylistic variation to writing.

For example, instead of saying “I bought the book,” you could use a cleft sentence to emphasize that it was the book you bought: “It was the book that I bought.” This structure draws attention to the specific element being emphasized.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is the difference between ‘that’ and ‘which’?That is used in defining relative clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence. Which can be used in both defining and non-defining relative clauses, but in defining relative clauses, that is often preferred. In non-defining relative clauses, only which can be used, and it must be set off by commas.
  2. When can I omit the relative pronoun?You can omit the relative pronoun (that, who, which) in defining relative clauses when it is the object of the verb in the relative clause. The relative pronoun cannot be omitted if it is the subject of the verb.
  3. What is the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses?Defining relative clauses are essential for identifying the noun they modify, and they are not set off by commas. Non-defining relative clauses provide extra, non-essential information about a noun that is already clearly identified, and they are always set off by commas.
  4. Can ‘who’ be used for objects?While grammatically correct, whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition in a relative clause. However, in informal English, who is often used instead of whom, even when it is the object.
  5. How do I use prepositions in relative clauses?In formal English, the preposition usually comes before the relative pronoun whom or which. In informal English, the preposition often comes at the end of the relative clause, and who or that can be used instead of whom or which.
  6. What is the difference between ‘whose’ and ‘who’s’?Whose is a relative pronoun that shows possession. Who’s is a contraction of “who is” or “who has.” They have completely different meanings and usage.
  7. Can I use relative clauses with proper nouns?Yes, you can use relative clauses with proper nouns. When doing so, you typically use non-defining relative clauses, which provide additional, non-essential information about the proper noun and are set off by commas. For example, “Paris, which is the capital of France, is a beautiful city.”
  8. What are reduced relative clauses?Reduced relative clauses are shortened forms of relative clauses where the relative pronoun and auxiliary verb are omitted. These are typically used when the relative pronoun is followed by a verb in the continuous (-ing) or past participle form.

Conclusion

Mastering relative clauses is a vital step in achieving fluency and precision in English. By understanding their structure, types, and usage rules, you can construct complex and informative sentences that effectively convey your intended meaning.

Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the nuances of defining and non-defining clauses.

This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of relative clauses, covering everything from the basics to more advanced topics. Continue to explore and experiment with relative clauses in your writing and speaking to further refine your skills.

With consistent effort and attention to detail, you’ll become proficient in using relative clauses to enhance your communication abilities.

Leave a Comment