Relative Clause
A relative clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause. It begins with a relative pronoun or adverb and provides additional information about the noun or pronoun it refers to.
Types of Relative Clauses
| Type | Relative Pronoun/Adverb | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Defining | who, which, that, as | Defines or identifies the noun or pronoun it modifies |
| Non-defining | who, which, that, as | Adds additional information about the noun or pronoun it modifies |
| Restrictive | who, which, that, as | Restricts the meaning of the noun or pronoun it modifies |
| Non-restrictive | who, which, that, as | Does not restrict the meaning of the noun or pronoun it modifies |
Table Content
The table below summarizes the key information about relative clauses:
| Feature | Defining | Non-defining | Restrictive | Non-restrictive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Defines or identifies the noun or pronoun | Adds additional information | Restricts the meaning | Does not restrict the meaning |
| Relative Pronoun | who, which, that, as | who, which, that, as | who, which, that, as | who, which, that, as |
| Example | "The man who lives next door is my father." | "My father, who lives next door, is a doctor." | "The people who work in that office are friendly." | "My friends, who are all in college, are doing well." |
| Comma | No | Yes | No | Yes |