Relative clauses provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. They are used to add descriptive or defining information to a sentence. Relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns such as "who," "whom," "whose," "which," and "that." They modify a noun or pronoun in the main clause, often providing essential information that helps identify or describe the noun or pronoun. Relative clauses usually come immediately after the noun or pronoun they modify. Sometimes, relative clauses are essential (defining) to the meaning of the sentence and are not separated by commas. Other times, they provide non-essential (non-defining) information and are separated by commas. There are defining and non-defining relative clauses.
Defining Relative Clauses:
Defining relative clauses provide essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify. They do not use commas.
- The book that is on the table is mine.
- The person who won the race is my friend.
In these examples, "that is on the table" and "who won the race" are essential to understanding which book and which person is being referred to.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses:
Non-defining relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify. They are separated by commas.
- My brother, who lives in London, is coming to visit.
- The new laptop, which I bought yesterday, is very fast.
In these examples, the relative clauses "who lives in London" and "which I bought yesterday" provide extra information but are not necessary to identify the brother or the laptop.
Relative Pronouns:
Who: Refers to people.
Which: Refers to things or animals.
That: Can refer to both people and things. It's often used in defining relative clauses.
Whose: Indicates possession and can refer to both people and things.
Whom: Refers to people and is used as the object of a verb or preposition.