Relative Clauses for intermediate learners

Relative clauses give us more information about people and things. They are used to combine clauses and avoid repetition. Click here to learn!

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"Relative Clauses" in the English Grammar

What Are Relative Clauses?

Whenever we have a relative pronoun, relative determiner, or a relative adverb at the beginning of a clause, we call it a relative clause. Below, we are going to learn all about it.

Relative Clauses: Types

In English, we have two types of relative clauses. Take a look at the list below:

Now, let us analyze each:

Adjectival Relative Clauses

These relative clauses function as adjectives and describe nouns or noun phrases in sentences. They can begin with relative pronouns or relative adverbs. Look:

I'm not sure I know what you are talking about. (With a relative pronoun)

The old man that is walking slowly to the bench is my husband. (With a relative pronoun)

Are you talking about the building where we killed the last victim? (With a relative adverb)

Ursula remembered the day when she graduated. (With a relative adverb)

Warning!

It is important to know that whenever a relative pronoun is referring to a noun that is in the sentence, it is no longer a relative pronoun. It is a relative adverb.

Nominal Relative Clauses

Nominal relative clauses mainly function as a subject, an object, or a complement for the independent clause. They can begin with nominal relative pronouns or relative determiners. Look at the list below:

Now, let us examine some examples below:

I can date whoever I want so stop bossing around. (As a nominal relative pronoun)

Why do you get angry whenever he decides to spend time with his friends? (As a nominal relative pronoun)

Which country he is in isn't really the case right now. (As a relative determiner)

As you can see we have a noun after the modifier.

I think she doesn't know which cat you're talking about. (As a relative determiner)

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