Mastering relative clauses | A guide on how to use them effectively

A relative clause is a specific dependent clause that does not function as a complete sentence despite having a subject and a verb. Relative clauses, often called adjective clauses, provide additional information about the subject of the independent phrase they relate to.

Similar to adjectives, these clauses describe the subject to some extent. They are non-essential components of a sentence. In a relative clause, the first word is always a “relative pronoun” that replaces a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun when combining sentences.

Examples –

• The Stephen King book that I read last night was incredibly captivating.
• The person who won the competition is my best friend.

Let’s move ahead and learn about the different categories of relative clauses and their usage.

Categories of relative clauses

They are primarily categorized into two distinct types: defining and non-defining relative clauses. 

Defining relative clauses

Defining relative clauses play a crucial role in providing essential details that aid in understanding the purpose of their usage within a sentence. Often referred to as vital relative clauses, they convey information crucial for comprehending the phrase’s meaning.

Let’s analyze an example to better understand the importance of defining these clauses-

• People who like books often go to the library.

The relative clause used in this sentence is “who likes books.” Since this information is crucial for elucidating the sentence’s meaning, it is categorized as a defining relative clause. If we take out this, the sentence changes to:

• People often go to the library

Although the sentence still makes grammatical sense, its meaning has changed. The sentence could be clearer and more precise with the defining relative clause. We require the qualifier “who likes books” because it establishes our discussion’s subject, or “people”.

Some of the examples for the same are as follows –

• Sheena needs someone whom she can trust.
• I have a friend whose mum is a teacher.
• She’s going to the art gallery full of beautiful paintings.
• Let’s go to a theme park where there are lots of rollercoasters.

Relative pronouns in defining relative clauses

All relative clauses, defining and non-defining, begin with a relative pronoun. In a defining relative clause, you can utilize one of these relative pronouns, such as who, whom, whose, which, where, when, why, and that.

Non-defining relative clause

A non-defining relative clause offers supplementary information about the subject of the sentence without playing a crucial role in defining the topic. The details provided in this type of clause are optional and not necessary for understanding the main phrase. Non-defining relative clauses are also known as non-essential relative clauses.

Look at the following example of the same:

• The garden, which was full of blossoming flowers, overlooked the hill.

The non-defining relative clause in this sentence is ‘which was full of blossoming flowers.’ The rest of the statement can be understood without it, but the clause makes the sentence more apparent, and it merely provides us with something extra without defining the garden.

How should a non-defining relative clause be written?

The primary components of non-defining relative sentences are a relative pronoun, a verb, and optional extras like the verb’s subject. The non-defining relative clause must always be separated from the body of the sentence by commas, hyphens, or brackets. The middle or end of a sentence is the most typical place for the clause to appear.

Some of the non defining relative clause examples are as follows –

• My father, who has been baking for years, made us chocolate muffins.
• Sheena walks to school with her friend, whose house is next door to mine.
•  My friend, whom I’ve known for years, came to my house today.

Difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses

As mentioned earlier, the information conveyed in a non-defining relative clause is not essential. In contrast, the details presented in a defining relative clause are crucial. There are other significant distinctions between the two types of clauses-

• In spoken English, the relative pronouns who, whom, and which are frequently substituted with “that” in a defining relative phrase. With a non-defining relative clause, you cannot accomplish this.
• The pronoun must always be used in non-defining relative clauses. It can, however, sometimes be taken out of a sentence with a defining relative clause.
• A Non-defining relative clause do not require any punctuation to separate them from the other clauses in the sentence. On the other hand, defining relative clauses do require punctuation, typically in the form of commas, to set them apart and indicate their relationship to the rest of the sentence.

Groups of relative clauses

Relative clauses can be categorized into different groups based on their specific characteristics or functions. Here are the six common groups of relative clauses:

Bound relative clauses

Bound relative clauses are the most common category of relative clauses in English. These type of clauses are connected to subject or object phrases, providing definitions, citations, or additional details. They are closely related to or bound to a preceding element in the sentence.

Free relative clauses

A free relative clause differ from its bound counterparts in that the subjects and objects of the preceding phrases do not constrain them. While a free relative clause is less common than a bound relative clause, they are unique because they can use the word “what” as a relative pronoun.

Restrictive relative clauses

Restrictive relative clauses, derived from the bound elements found in Category 1, are commonly used. These clauses are characterized by the fact that the information they provide is essential for accurately understanding or identifying the preceding word. This fundamental nature distinguishes them as restrictive relative clauses.

Non-restrictive relative clauses

Non-restrictive (or non-defining) relative clauses are those that provide additional information to the sentence. We typically pause when introducing a non-restrictive relative clause in spoken English. Also, remember that, unlike restrictive relative clauses, which can only modify nouns and noun phrases, non-restrictive relative clauses have the ability to alter complete expressions.

Reduced relative clauses

A reduced relative clause is a relative clause without an explicit relative pronoun, such as who, which, or that. A reduced relative clause are prone to ambiguity and have been a popular subject of psycholinguistic investigation, particularly in sentence processing.

Infinitival relative clauses

Sometimes an infinitive can be used in place of a relative pronoun and finite verb. Although it can also be combined with non-defining clauses, this occurs more frequently with defining relative clauses.

Now that you have gained a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental rules concerning relative clauses, it is time to apply your knowledge through practice. Engage in solving worksheets to reinforce and refine your understanding of the concepts.

Key takeaways

• A relative clause is a specific type of dependent clause. Despite having a subject and a verb, it cannot function as a sentence.
• The first word of a relative clause is always a relative pronoun, which, when sentences are combined, takes the place of a noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun.
• There are two categories of relative clauses, defining and non-defining relative clauses.
• Defining relative clause provides crucial details that help us define the sentence’s topic. 
• A non-defining relative clause provides additional information about the sentence’s subject without contributing to the definition of the topic at hand.
• There are six main groups of relative clauses- Bound Relative Clauses, Free Relative Clauses, Non Restrictive Relative Clauses, Reduced Relative Clauses, and Infinitival Relative clauses.

We hope this blog helped you gain a better understanding of relative clause and its functions. If you require any assistance with your study abroad entrance test preparation or the application process, feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to help!

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FAQs

Q1: How to identify and use relative clause effectively in writing?

Answer: To identify relative clauses, look for dependent clauses that begin with relative pronouns or relative adverbs. To use them effectively, ensure that the relative clause provides relevant and precise information and is properly integrated into the sentence structure for coherence and clarity.

Q2: What are the common mistakes to avoid when using relative clauses?

Answer: One common mistake is incorrectly using relative pronouns or omitting them altogether. It is also important to ensure that the relative clause is properly connected to the noun it modifies and that the punctuation is accurate, particularly when distinguishing between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses.

Q3: Can you provide some tips for improving my understanding and usage of relative clauses?

Answer: Some tips for improving your understanding and usage of relative clauses include: studying and identifying different types of relative clauses, practicing their usage through exercises and writing tasks, reading extensively to observe how relative clauses are used in various contexts, and seeking feedback from teachers or native speakers to refine your skills.