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Conditionals / Nominalisation / Contrasting phrases / Cause and effect structures
Relative clauses
Jump to - What are relative clauses / How do I make relative clauses? / Defining relative clauses / Non-defining relative clauses / Where versus Which
What are relative clauses?
Relative clauses are when two clauses that share the same subject or object are connected by a relative pronoun.
What are the relative pronouns?
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Who - people
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When - time
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Where - location
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Which - things/ ideas/ places
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Why - reasons
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Whose - possession
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That - people/ things (informal and not possible for non-defining clauses)
How do I make a relative clause?
You need to have 2 sentences which have shared information. Look at the samples below:
He went to the market.
The market was closed.
Both sentences are about the market, so they have shared information.
Relative clause: He went to the market, which was closed.
Note: You remove 'the market' from the second clause when you use the relative pronoun - which = the market.
He went to the market.
He bought eggs and milk at the market.
Both sentences are about the market, so they have shared information.
Relative clause: He went to the market, where he bought eggs and milk.
Note: You remove 'the market' from the second clause when you use the relative pronoun - where = the market.
She met my cousin.
My cousin goes to university nearby.
Both sentences are about my cousin, so they have shared information.
Relative clause: She met my cousin, who goes to university nearby.
Note: You remove 'my cousin' from the second clause when you use the relative pronoun - who = my cousin.
She is going to meet him at 8pm.
He finishes work at 8pm.
Both sentences are about 8pm, so they have shared information.
Relative clause: She is going to meet him at 8pm when he finishes work.
Note: You remove 'at 8pm' from the second clause when you use the relative pronoun - when = at 8pm.
She gave him the history book.
The history book contains the information needed for the test.
Both sentences are about the history book, so they have shared information.
Relative clause: She gave him the history book that contains the information needed for the test.
Notes: You remove 'the history book' from the second clause when you use the relative pronoun - that = the history book.
Defining relative clause - there is no comma!
What is a defining relative clause?
A defining relative clause is when the second clause after the relative pronoun is necessary to understand the first clause. It is needed information.
He went to the room.
The person reading or hearing this would not understand the sentence. More information is needed.
He went to the room where he was told to wait until the doctor was ready to see him.
Now we understand the sentence.
He talked to the man.
The person reading or hearing this would not understand the sentence. More information is needed.
He talked to the man who could direct him to the right room to wait in.
Now we understand the sentence.
Non-defining relative clause - we need to use commas!
What is a non-defining relative clause?
A non-defining relative clause is when the second clause after the relative pronoun is additional information. You can understand the first clause by itself.
You cannot use 'that' in a non-defining clause.
She went to France.
The person reading or hearing this would understand the sentence, but you can give additional information.
Relative clause: She went to France, where she bumped into her old friend from high school.
Now we have additional information.
The government increased the tax on sugary products.
The person reading or hearing this would understand the sentence, but you can give additional information.
Relative clause: The government increased the tax on sugary products, which was very unpopular with the food manufacturers.
Now we have additional information.
How can I put the non-defining clause in the middle of a sentence?
You can put it after a subject f the second clause refers to the subject, and you need to use two commas.
My cousin lives in London.
My cousin is a banker.
Both sentences are about 'my cousin', and it is the subject in both sentences.
Relative clause: My cousin, who is a banker, lives in London.
Notes: You put a comma before and after the relative clause. In speaking, this is where you would pause.
Where versus Which
A common error people make is mixing up which and where.
They can both be used to talk about locations.
A simple way to think about it is this:
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Where - the action happens at the location.
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Which - the action happens by the location.
Examples:
She often goes to her local park, where there are many ducks.
She often goes to her local park, which has many ducks.
Both sentences are grammatically correct!
Most of the time:
Where + subject
Which + verb
The government invested a lot more money in the renewable energy industry, where there is a great potential for growth.
The government invested a lot more money in the renewable energy industry, which has been neglected for a long time.