Relative

Clause
Relative
Clause
This is a clause that generally
modifies a noun or a noun phrase
and is often introduced by a
relative pronoun.
(which, that, who, whom, whose).
A Relative Clause connects ideas by using
pronouns that relate to something
previously mentioned and allows the writer
to combine two independent clauses into
one sentence. It is also known as an
adjective clause.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
An Independent Clause is a clause that can
stand by itself as a simple sentence. An
Independent clause contains a subject and a
predicate and makes sense by itself.
2 types of
Relative Clause

Restrictive and
Nonrestrictive
 Restrictive
Clause
A Restrictive Clause restricts or defines the meaning of a noun
or noun phrase and provides necessary information about the
noun in the sentence. It is not separated from the rest of the
sentence by commas.
Examples The student who sits in the back of the room asks a
lot of questions.
RESTRICITVE CLAUSE

The results that I obtained may invoke positive

social change.

The journalist whose story I read yesterday has

won prizes for her work.
Examples The results that I obtained may invoke positive
social change.
RESTRICITVE CLAUSE

that = omitted
Passive Voice

When the relative

The article that I requested did not arrive on time.
pronoun functions as
the object of the that = omitted
sentence, it can (and
usually is) omitted The participants whom I interviewed met me at the
local library.
from the relative
clause. whom = omitted
 NonRestrictive
Clause
A NonRestrictive Clause adds additional information to a
sentence. It is usually a proper noun or a common noun that
refers to a unique person, thing, or event. It uses commas to
show that the information is additional. The commas almost act
like parentheses within the sentence.
Examples I want to thank my father, Mark Smith, for all of his
love and support.

NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSE With the nonrestrictive clause omitted:

I want to thank my father for all of his love and
support.
The hypothesis, which I tested throughout the
research, was rejected.
With the nonrestrictive clause omitted:
The hypothesis was rejected.

I have found the article, which I have been looking for.

With the nonrestrictive clause omitted:
I have found the article.
 Examples CORRECT: Minneapolis, which has a population of
about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.
NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSE
INCORRECT: Minneapolis, that has a population of
about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.

Although "that" is
sometimes used in CORRECT: I had to fix my printer, which I bought
restrictive clauses, it less than a year ago.
is not allowed in INCORRECT: I had to fix my printer, that I bought
nonrestrictive less than a year ago.

clauses.
 Relative
Pronoun

A Relative pronoun is a pronoun that marks a relative clause. It

serves the purpose of conjoining modifying information about an
antecedent referent.
Examples The test wasn't difficult at all. PIECE
The test was a piece of cake.
Idiomatic Expressions

I've got more important things to do now. FISH

I've got bigger fish to fry.

I've finally accepted that my kitten isn't gone. TERMS

I've come to terms with my kitten being gone.
Relative Pronoun
Possessive
Referring to a human Referring to Possessive
something other than
RESTRICTIVE a human
whom, who, that* whose
which, that**

NONRESTRICTIVE
who, whom which whose
(WITH COMMAS)
 Examples CORRECT: Minneapolis, which has a population of
about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.

RELATIVE PRONOUN INCORRECT: Minneapolis, has a population of

about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.

A relative pronoun CORRECT: I had to fix my printer, which I bought

less than a year ago.
cannot be deleted in a
INCORRECT: I had to fix my printer, I bought less
nonrestrictive clause. than a year ago.
 Reduce Relative Clauses
Reduced Relative clauses are shortened versions of relative
clauses. They are also known as reduced adjective clauses.
 Examples
REDUCE RELATIVE CLAUSE The man who is in the car is my brother.

You may remove the The man in the car is my brother.

relative pronoun and
the BE verb when:
The books that are on the table are mine.

1. they are followed The books on the table are mine.

by a prepositional
phrase.
 Examples
REDUCE RELATIVE CLAUSE The man who is swimming in the lake is my father.

The man swimming in the lake is my father.

2. the main verb in
the relative clause is
progressive. The books that are lying on the floor are mine.

The books lying on the floor are mine.

 Examples
REDUCE RELATIVE CLAUSE
Children who have their library tickets may
borrow books.
3. change the verb to
its -ing form when Children having their library tickets may
adjective clauses do borrow books.
not contain the BE
verb.
 Examples
REDUCE RELATIVE CLAUSE

Mrs. Santos, who is our librarian, is very fond

Some relative clauses of books.
.
can be reduced to Mrs. Santos, our librarian, is very fond of
appositive phrases. books.
 Examples
The man who is angry is my father.
REDUCE RELATIVE CLAUSE

You may NOT delete The man angry is my father.

the relative pronoun (However, you have to change the word order
and the be verb of the adjective and noun.
when:
The angry man is my father.
they are followed
by an adjective.
Thank you for
listening
MENDIOLA, M.S.
BSED ENG 1B