Week 10 Seminar - Relative Clauses


Basic Structure of Relative Clauses

  • Definition: A relative clause identifies or provides information about a noun/pronoun in the main clause.

  • Introduction: Begins with a relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that, whose).

    • Example 1: "This is the phone model that appeals to me." (subject)

    • Example 2: "This is the phone model that I want to buy." (object)

Types of Relative Clauses

Defining Relative Clause

  • Purpose: Provides essential information identifying/classifying the noun or pronoun.

  • Example: "People who have a valid QR code may enter this building."

  • Usage: No commas.

Non-defining Relative Clause

  • Purpose: Adds extra information that is not essential for meaning.

  • Example: "My sister, who has a valid QR code, was allowed to enter this building."

  • Usage: Must be offset with commas;

    • Affects pronunciation (e.g., "My friends who have cars are coming along." vs. "My friends, who have cars, are coming along.")

Comment Clause

  • A special type of non-defining relative clause commenting on the entire main clause.

  • Example: "QR codes are required everywhere these days, which can be a hassle."

  • Usage: Must be preceded by a comma; affects pronunciation.

Choosing the Correct Relative Pronoun

Summary Table of Relative Pronouns

  • Defining Relative Clauses:

    • Subject: who, that

    • Object: whom, that

    • Possessive: whose

  • Non-defining Relative Clauses:

    • Subject: who, that, which (British)

    • Object: whom (who), that, (no pronoun)

    • Possessive: whose

  • Note: "that" signals a defining relative clause; "which" signifies a non-defining clause (except in British English).

Key Points

  • Personal Antecedents: use "who/m"; Non-personal Antecedents: use "that" or "which".

  • Comma usage: Non-defining clauses require commas.

Omitting Pronouns

  • Only pronouns functioning as objects in defining clauses can be omitted.

  • Example: "This is the person whom I love." ➔ "This is the person I love."

Relative Clauses with Prepositions & Adverbs

Formal Usage

  • "The house in which we live is old."

  • "This e-mail is only intended for the person to whom it is addressed."

Less Formal Alternatives

  • "The house that/which we live in is old."

  • "The house where we live is old."

  • "This e-mail is only intended for the person who/whom it is addressed to."

  • "This e-mail is only intended for the person it is addressed to."

Alternatives to Relative Clauses

  • Adjectives: "The students who are happy" ➔ "The happy students."

  • Prepositional phrases: "The students who have questions" ➔ "The students with questions."

  • Participle phrases: "The students who live in Nijmegen" ➔ "The students living in Nijmegen."

  • Infinitive clauses: "The first student who raises their hand" ➔ "The first student to raise their hand."

Common Sentence Structure Issues

  • Examples of sentence structure errors:

    • Comma splices and how to fix them.

    • Fragments and solutions.

  • Example Problems:

    • "Effective communication is vital in business, it enhances collaboration and productivity."

    • "The memo was distributed to all departments, it outlined the new company policies."