Relative Clauses in English: A Comprehensive Guide for Language Learners
Relative clauses are essential components in English that provide additional information about a noun without starting a new sentence. This guide delves into the rules governing relative clauses, their types, and their functions, offering detailed insights for English language learners.
Types of Relative Clauses
1. Defining (Restrictive) Relative Clauses: These clauses are crucial as they specify which noun is being referred to. Without these clauses, the meaning of the sentence would be unclear.
Example: The laptop that I use is very fast.
Insight: In this sentence, the clause "that I use" defines which specific laptop is being talked about. Removing this clause would leave the reader wondering which laptop is fast.
Additional Examples:
The students who scored the highest will receive awards.
The book that I read last night was thrilling.
The cat whose fur is white is very playful.
2. Non-defining (Non-restrictive) Relative Clauses: These clauses add extra information about a noun that is already clear. They are not essential to the sentence's meaning and are usually separated by commas.
Example: The Grand Canyon, which is in Arizona, is a popular tourist destination.
Insight: Here, "which is in Arizona" provides additional information about the Grand Canyon. The sentence would still make sense if this clause were removed.
Additional Examples:
My uncle, who is a doctor, lives in Canada.
The Eiffel Tower, which was constructed in 1889, is an iconic landmark.
The concert, which was sold out, was fantastic.
Relative Pronouns and Their Usage
1. Who: Used for people, both in defining and non-defining clauses.
Example: The teacher who taught me is retiring.
Insight: "Who taught me" identifies which teacher is being discussed, making the clause defining.
Additional Examples:
The actor who starred in the movie is very talented.
My neighbour, who is very friendly, helped me move.
The player who scored the winning goal was very happy.
2. Whom: Used for people when they are the object of the verb.
Example: The person whom you called is my manager.
Insight: "Whom you called" clarifies which person is being referred to.
Additional Examples:
The artist whom I admire is having an exhibition.
The friend whom she invited couldn't come.
The professor whom the students respect is retiring.
Common Confusion: "Who" vs. "Whom"
Many people mix up "who" and "whom" because "whom" is less commonly used in everyday speech, making it less familiar. Additionally, the difference between subject and object pronouns can be subtle, leading to confusion.
Mnemonic Device to Remember the Difference:
Use the acronym "HIM":
If you can replace the word with "he" or "she", use "who".
If you can replace the word with "him" or "her", use "whom".
Example:
He helped her yesterday. → Whom did he help? (him/her = whom)
She saw him at the store. → Who saw him? (he/she = who)
3. Which: Used for animals and things in both defining and non-defining clauses.
Example: The house, which has a large garden, is beautiful.
Insight: "Which has a large garden" adds extra, non-essential information about the house.
Additional Examples:
The movie, which we watched yesterday, was very entertaining.
The phone which you bought is very expensive.
The park, which is near my house, is very peaceful.
4. That: Used for people, animals, and things in defining clauses.
Example: The book that you lent me was amazing.
Insight: "That you lent me" specifies which book is being discussed, making it a defining clause.
Additional Examples:
The website that I use is very helpful.
The dog that barked all night is very annoying.
The project that we finished was a success.
5. Whose: Used to show possession for people, animals, and things.
Example: The musician whose album was a hit is on tour.
Insight: "Whose album was a hit" provides information about the musician's work, specifying which musician is meant.
Additional Examples:
The author whose book won an award is giving a lecture.
The child whose toy was lost is very upset.
The company whose CEO resigned is hiring a new leader.
Omitting Relative Pronouns:
In English, relative pronouns can sometimes be omitted in defining relative clauses, especially when they function as the object of the clause. This omission often makes the sentence more concise and natural.
When to Omit Relative Pronouns:
When the relative pronoun is the object of the verb in the clause.
When the relative pronoun is the object of a preposition (often moved to the end of the clause).
Example:
The bike that I bought is very fast. → The bike I bought is very fast.
The song which we heard was beautiful. → The song we heard was beautiful.
Why Omit Relative Pronouns:
To create a smoother, more natural flow in sentences.
To avoid unnecessary repetition and redundancy.
How to Know When to Omit:
Identify if the relative pronoun is functioning as the object.
Ensure that omitting it does not create ambiguity or confusion.
Mnemonic Device to Identify Object Function:
Use the phrase "Subject-Verb-Object Check" (SVO Check):
Identify the subject of the main clause.
Identify the verb in the relative clause.
Determine if the noun following the verb (or implied) is the object.
Examples of Omission:
The camera that I borrowed is very expensive. → The camera I borrowed is very expensive.
Subject: I
Verb: borrowed
Object: camera (so "that" can be omitted)
The person whom you emailed is my boss. → The person you emailed is my boss.
Subject: you
Verb: emailed
Object: person (so "whom" can be omitted)
The restaurant which we visited was fantastic. → The restaurant we visited was fantastic.
Subject: we
Verb: visited
Object: restaurant (so "which" can be omitted)
Choosing Between "That" and "Which":
Defining Clauses (Restrictive): Use "that."
Example: The shoes that I bought are very comfortable.
Insight: "That" is used to introduce a defining clause, which is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Non-defining Clauses (Non-restrictive): Use "which."
Example: The shoes, which I bought last week, are very comfortable.
Insight: "Which" is used to introduce a non-defining clause, adding extra, non-essential information about the noun.
Mnemonic Device to Choose Between "That" and "Which":
Remember the phrase "Essential Things That Matter, Extra Things Which Inform":
"Essential Things That Matter": Use "that" for defining, essential clauses.
"Extra Things Which Inform": Use "which" for non-defining, extra information clauses.
Object Placement in English vs. Korean:
In English, relative clauses follow the noun they describe, and the object typically comes after the verb. However, in some constructions, especially in questions and relative clauses, the object can precede the verb.
Example:
The movie that we watched was thrilling. (Object "movie" comes before the verb "watched" in the relative clause)
In contrast, Korean typically follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure, and the object comes before the verb in all sentence constructions.
Example: English: The book that I read was interesting. Korean: 내가 읽은 책이 재미있었다. (Literal: I read book interesting was)
Comparative Analysis with Korean
1. Structure and Placement: In English, relative clauses follow the noun they describe, using relative pronouns like "who," "which," and "that." In Korean, relative clauses precede the noun they describe, and there is no direct equivalent to relative pronouns. Instead, relative clauses are formed by modifying verbs or adjectives.
Example: English: The car that I drive is very fast. Korean: 내가 운전하는 차가 매우 빠르다. (Literal: I drive car very fast is.)
Insight: The relative clause "that I drive" in English follows the noun "car," while in Korean, the clause "내가 운전하는" (I drive) precedes the noun "차" (car). The verb "운전하는" (drive) is used to modify the noun directly.
2. Defining and Non-defining Clauses: Korean does not make a clear distinction between defining and non-defining relative clauses as English does. The context usually clarifies the meaning.
Example: English: The park, which is near my house, is very beautiful. Korean: 그 공원은 내 집 근처에 있다. (Literal: The park my house near is.)
Insight: The non-defining clause "which is near my house" is set apart by commas in English. In Korean, the same information is presented in a more straightforward manner without a clear grammatical distinction.
3. Omitting Relative Pronouns: In English, relative pronouns can sometimes be omitted in defining relative clauses when they function as the object of the clause. In Korean, the equivalent structure involves verb conjugation to modify the noun directly.
Example: English: The restaurant we visited was excellent. Korean: 우리가 방문한 레스토랑은 훌륭했다. (Literal: We visited restaurant excellent was.)
Insight: The relative pronoun "that" is omitted in English, while in Korean, the verb "방문한" (visited) is conjugated to directly modify "레스토랑" (restaurant).
Mnemonic Device for Identifying Relative Clauses:
To distinguish between defining and non-defining relative clauses, remember the acronym "DICE":
D: Defining clauses are Integral (essential) to the noun's meaning.
I: Integral clauses are necessary for the sentence to be understood.
C: Commas are not used in defining clauses.
E: Essential information about the noun is provided by defining clauses.
Conversely, non-defining clauses are not integral and are set off by commas, providing additional but non-essential information.
Comprehension Questions
1. Understanding Relative Pronouns: How does the use of "who" and "whom" differ in relative clauses?
Answer: "Who" is used as the subject of the verb in the relative clause, while "whom" is used as the object of the verb.
2. Identifying Clauses: Provide an example of a non-defining relative clause and explain its purpose.
Answer: Example: The Statue of Liberty, which is located in New York Harbor, is a symbol of freedom. This non-defining clause adds extra information about the Statue of Liberty without altering the sentence's primary meaning.
3. Combining Sentences: Combine these two sentences using a relative clause: "The artist is very talented. She painted this picture."
Answer: The artist who painted this picture is very talented.
4. Defining vs. Non-defining: How can you tell if a relative clause is defining or non-defining?
Answer: A defining clause is essential to the meaning of the noun it describes and is not set off by commas. A non-defining clause adds extra information and is set off by commas.
5. Korean Relative Clauses: How does the structure of relative clauses in Korean differ from that in English?
Answer: In Korean, relative clauses precede the noun they describe and are formed by modifying verbs or adjectives without relative pronouns. In English, relative clauses follow the noun and use relative pronouns like "who," "which," and "that."
6. Function of "Whose": Write a sentence using "whose" to show possession.
Answer: The author whose book was a bestseller is giving a talk.
7. Multiple Clauses: Combine these three sentences into one using relative clauses: "The director won an Oscar. His movie was acclaimed. He is working on a new project."
Answer: The director whose movie was acclaimed, who won an Oscar, is working on a new project.
8. Advanced Combination: Combine these sentences using a defining relative clause: "She visited the museum. The museum has an extensive collection of modern art."
Answer: She visited the museum that has an extensive collection of modern art.
9. Correct Use of "That" and "Which": Explain when to use "that" versus "which" in a sentence.
Answer: Use "that" for defining (restrictive) clauses, which are essential to the sentence's meaning. Use "which" for non-defining (non-restrictive) clauses, which add extra, non-essential information and are set off by commas.
Example of "That": The report that was submitted yesterday is very detailed.
Example of "Which": The report, which was submitted yesterday, is very detailed.
10. Who vs. Whom Practice: Correct the sentence if needed: "Whom is going to the meeting?"
Answer: The correct sentence is: "Who is going to the meeting?" (because "who" is the subject of the verb "is going").
Reflective Questions
1. Application: How can understanding relative clauses improve your writing?
Answer: Understanding relative clauses can improve my writing by allowing me to add necessary details and context, making my sentences more informative and engaging.
2. Practical Use: Think of a sentence in your writing where a relative clause could be effectively used. Describe it.
Answer: Original: "I saw a play last night. It was incredibly moving." Improved: "I saw a play that was incredibly moving last night."
3. Personal Insight: How does the use of defining and non-defining clauses help you convey precise information?
Answer: Defining clauses help me specify exactly which person or thing I am talking about, while non-defining clauses allow me to add interesting or useful information without changing the core meaning of the sentence.
By mastering relative clauses, English language learners can significantly enhance the clarity, detail, and sophistication of their writing. Understanding the nuanced uses of relative pronouns and the impact of defining versus non-defining clauses will aid in creating more complex and engaging sentences.
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