LoginNominal Relative Clauses
In this lesson we learn about nominal relative clauses, which are essential clauses that function as nouns and provide specific information in a sentence. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Are Nominal Relative Clauses?
Nominal relative clauses are dependent clauses that function as a noun within a sentence, typically serving as either the objects, subjects, or complements of the independent clause. These clauses are introduced by a nominal relative pronoun, a relative adverb, or determiner.
Nominal Relative Clauses: Structure
Nominal relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns (who, whom, which, what), relative adverbs (where, when, why, how), or relative determiners (what, whatever, whichever).
What she said surprised everyone.
A nominal relative clause with "what" acting as a relative pronoun.
Why they left early remains unclear.
A nominal relative clause with "why" acting as a relative adverb.
Pick whichever book you like.
A nominal relative clause introduced by the relative determiner "whichever ".
Nominal Relative Clause with To-infinitive
Nominal relative clauses can also be formed using a to-infinitive after the relative word. This is possible when the subject is implied or unnecessary and the verb does not express necessary tense and aspects. For example:
I don't know what I should do. → I don't know what to do.
Here, the subject of the nominal relative clause and the overall sentence is the same, so it can be removed from the nominal relative clause.
They discussed how they could solve the problem. → They discussed how to solve the problem.
As you can see, the verb does not show tense and the subject can be implied based on the main clause.
I don't know what he did. → I don't know what to do.
Here, since the subject of the nominal relative clause is different from the subject of the main clause and the verb has a specific tense, the nominal relative clause cannot be changed into a to-infinitive.
Nominal Relative Clauses: Functions
Nominal relative clauses are used as subjects, objects of verbs or prepositions, or complements for the main clause and they act as a noun or a noun phrase. As a result, they are regarded as noun clauses or nominal clauses.
When you saw me doesn't matter.
'When you saw me' acts as a subject for 'doesn't matter.'
It is what you want.
'What you want' is the complement of 'it is.'
I do whatever you say.
'Whatever you say' is the object of 'do.'
Nominal Relative Clauses: Placement
Nominal relative clauses are introduced by a nominal relative pronoun and can appear in the subject position at the beginning of the sentence, or in the object position after the verb, or after a linking verb or noun as subject or object complement. Look at the examples.
I don't know why you called me.
'Why' is a nominal relative pronoun introducing 'why you called me' as a nominal relative clause and the object of the verb 'know.'
You can call me what you like.
Here, the nominal relative clause "what you like" appears after a noun as its complement.
Who did it is still unclear.
A nominal relative clause at the beginning of the sentence as the subject.
Nominal Relative Clauses vs. Relative Clauses
Nominal relative clauses act as nouns, but relative clauses act as adjectives that add information to the preceding noun or noun phrase. Compare the examples below:
I know the man whose book you have bought.
'Whose' here is a relative pronoun, introducing an adjective relative clause.
I know whose book you have bought.
'Whose' is a possessive relative determiner introducing a nominal relative clause.
Nominal Relative Clause vs. Interrogative Sentence
Both nominal relative clauses and interrogative sentences start with words like who, what, which, why, when, etc. The difference between them lies in the structure of the sentence. In wh-questions that have a subject, the word order is usually inverted. However, when "what", "who" or "which" are the subject of the clause themselves, nominal relative clauses and questions have the same form, with the main difference being that nominal relative clauses are dependent. Look at the examples:
I don't know what I should do. → What should I do?
Nominal relative clauses follow the normal word order while questions invert the subject and verb positions.
Who was at the party is not known → Who was at the party?
When "who", "what", or "which" are the subject of the clause, the nominal relative clause and the question have the same structure.
Review
Nominal relative clauses can be followed by a noun or it can also be followed by a to-infinitive. Nominal relative clauses are used as:
subjects
objects
complements
Quiz:
Which of the following sentences contains a nominal relative clause introduced by a relative adverb?
I can’t remember when she left.
I don’t know what she wanted.
I love whatever you decide.
She asked me what I wanted.
Which of the following sentences contains a nominal relative clause functioning as the object?
Who you choose is entirely up to you.
I don’t know what he wants for dinner.
Why they left so early surprised everyone.
The man whose car was stolen is filing a report.
Rearrange the words below to form a correct sentence with a nominal relative clause:
Match each sentence (Column A) with the function of its nominal relative clause (Column B):
Which sentence contains a nominal relative clause rather than an adjectival relative clause?
The book which I borrowed is on the table.
I know the person whose car was parked outside.
What you did surprised everyone.
I called the man who had lost his bag.
Comments
(1)
Recommended
