Relative Clause
Definition: A relative clause is a part of a sentence that gives more information about a noun. It usually begins with a relative pronoun like "who," "which," "that," "whom," or "whose."
Usage Instructions: 1. Relative Pronouns: Use relative pronouns to start a relative clause. The choice depends on what you are describing: - Use "who" for people (e.g., "The teacher who helps me is kind.") - Use "which" for things or animals (e.g., "The book which I read was interesting.") - Use "that" for people, things, or animals (e.g., "The car that I bought is red.") - Use "whom" for people, often in formal contexts (e.g., "The person whom I called is my friend.") - Use "whose" to show possession (e.g., "The student whose project won the prize is very talented.")
Example: - "John, who visits frequently, is ill." - Here, "who visits frequently" is the relative clause that gives more information about "John."
Advanced Usage: - You can have more complex relative clauses that include other clauses. For example, "The book that I borrowed from the library, which was published last year, is fascinating." - Relative clauses can also be used in defining (restrictive) or non-defining (non-restrictive) ways. A defining relative clause provides essential information; a non-defining clause gives additional details.
Word Variants: - There are no direct word variants for "relative clause", but you may encounter phrases like "defining relative clause" and "non-defining relative clause" to specify the type of relative clause.
Different Meanings: - While "relative clause" specifically refers to a grammatical structure, "relative" alone can also mean something that is considered in relation to something else, but in this context, we focus on its grammatical function.
Synonyms: - There are no exact synonyms for "relative clause," but you might hear it referred to as an "adjective clause" since it behaves like an adjective by describing a noun.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with "relative clause," as it is a technical term used primarily in grammar.