What is it?
A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause. It includes:
Relative pronouns and relative clauses can also be used in expanded noun groups. (Embedded) |
Examples
...who grew up in Sydney. ... where I grew up. ... which would be a bad idea. In a complex sentence: I will ask my neighbour who grew up in Sydney. I enjoy visiting Semaphore, where I grew up. They are thinking about jumping in the lake, which would be a bad idea. |
Relative pronouns
The most common ones you should know:
There are less common ones:
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Simple sentence:
I will ask my neighbour. + My neighbour grew up in Sydney. They are thinking about jumping in the lake. + Jumping in the lake would be a bad idea. |
Simple sentence with relative pronoun replacement:
...who grew up in Sydney ... which would be a bad idea |
Relative Clause:
I will ask my neighbour, who grew up in Sydney. They are thinking about jumping in the lake, which would be a bad idea. |
Independent clause:
The coat had a hole in the pocket. The doctor gave me some medicine. |
Relative clause:
= which was brand new (The coat was brand new) = who was rather unfriendly (The doctor was also rather unfriendly) |
Embedded clause:
The coat, which was brand new, had a hole in the pocket. The doctor, who was rather unfriendly, gave me some medicine. |
Simple sentence:
I like pizza. I want to buy the painting. My teacher is standing over there. noun: teacher The school enrolled 700 students. |
Adding more detail:
Noun: Pizza Which pizza? What type? Noun: painting Which painting? Noun: teacher Which teacher? Noun: school* Which school? * Students is also a noun |
Expanded noun group with relative clause:
I like pizza that has pineapple on it. "That has pineapple on it" describes "pizza", so it is added right after "pizza". I want to buy the painting which has a red boat in it. "Which has a red boat in it" describes "painting", so it follows "painting". My teacher who is very kind is standing over there. The school that is located in Thebarton enrolled 700 students. |
Embedded clauses in noun groups help us identify which noun we are talking about.
(One of many - no commas)
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Interrupting clauses in complex sentences give us more information and add something new to the sentence. Interrupting clause is surrounded by commas.
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