Relative clause

A relative clause is one kind of dependent clause. It has a subject and verb, but can't stand alone as a sentence. It is also called an “adjective clause”. Cause it functions as an adjective; it gives more information about a noun.

WH- words like where, when, who, which, etc are called a relative clause. We use relative clauses to give additional information about something without starting another sentence. By combining sentences with a relative clause, the text becomes more fluent and we can avoid repeating certain words. There are two types of relative clauses. They are:

• Defining clauses
• Non-defining clauses

General rules of clauses:

• A defining relative clause identifies the noun, whereas a non-defining relative clause gives extra information to it.

E.g. He is the boy who helped the orphan children.

Aman, who works in a hotel, has decided to quit the job.

• We put a comma (,) before a non-defining relative clause. If it comes in the middle of the sentence, we put a comma after it as well. We don't put a comma with a defining relative clause.

E.g. We met a friendly tourist who came from Australia. (no comma)

Yesterday I met Anjali, who told me about her father's business. (comma)

Mr. Koirala, who died in 1985, was a great singer.

• We do not use 'that' in non-defining relative clauses. We can use 'whose' and 'where' in non-defining clauses.

E.g. I invited Ragini, whose brother is a good friend of mine.

• Defining relative clauses are often used after 'someone, anyone, everything, some, many, several, all, those, etc.

E.g. We met everyone who passed the final exam.

• 'When' and 'where' are mostly used in non-defining clauses.

E.g. I will meet you at 2 o'clock when you have a break at your school.

• 'When' and 'where' can also be used in non-defining clauses if 'when' is preceded by the words like 'time, day, month, year, occasion, etc.' and where is preceded by the words like 'place, room, street, town, village, etc.'

E.g, This is the year they should start working,

The place where they work is very nice.

• 'Why' is used in defining clauses after the word 'reason'.

E.g. This is the reason why these boys are weak.