RELATIVE CLAUSES
A relative clause is a type of a dependent (embedded, subordinate) clause. We join two single-clause sentences into one sentence with two clauses – a main clause and a subordinate clause. To make it a relative clause, the two clauses need to have one phrase, a noun phrase, in common.
Jack shot the robber. The robber died.
Jack shot the robber, who died.
A relative clause is a clause which modifies a noun phrase (noun, pronoun).
Michael Faraday was a scientist who discovered electricity.
Noun = a scientist
A DVD player is a device which plays DVDs.
Noun = a device
A relative clause modifies a noun – it gives extra information about it or defines it.
It is introduced by a relative pronoun who, which or that (also whom and whose).
Who – for persons
Which – for objects, animals, abstract ideas, etc.
That – persons and objects
Whom – objective case
Whose – expresses possession
DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
Defining relative clauses provide important information about the noun phrase they modify – they define what the noun phrase is about. Without it the meaning of the sentence is incomplete.
He is the man who shot the president.
Bring me the book which lies on the floor.
NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
Non-defining relative clauses give extra information about the noun phrase; they are not necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence. Such a clause is separated from the main clause with a comma.
He works in a bank, which has its headquarters in Berlin.
I have a dog, which likes to chase cats.
My wife, who is 27 years old, works at a faculty. (embedded clause)
The comma can change the meaning of a sentence:
I have a brother who lives in Kranj. (I have more brothers)
I have a brother, who lives in Kranj. (I have only one brother)
Relative pronoun who/which/that/etc. replaces a noun. Within the subordinate clause it can be the subject or the object.
SUBJECT RELATIVE CLAUSES
I have a brother who lives in Kranj.
osebek povedek predmet osebek povedek prislovno določilo
The relative pronoun who functions as the subject within the relative clause, making this a subject relative clause.
An MP3 player is a device which plays music in the MP3 format.
OBJECT RELATIVE CLAUSES
John bought a car. I don't like the car.
John bought a car which I don't like.
Relative pronoun 'which' has the role of the object within the subordinate clause, so this is an object relative clause.
That is the woman who I met last night.
He married the woman who he met in Paris.
Only in object defining clauses, we can omit the relative pronoun. The resulting clause is called a contact clause.
That is the woman I met last night.
He married the woman he met in Paris.
The choice of relative pronouns
Relative clause
Defining Non-defining
Subject Object Subject Object
Who/ – Who/ Who/
Which That Which Which
That Who/
Which
A relative clause is a type of a dependent (embedded, subordinate) clause. We join two single-clause sentences into one sentence with two clauses – a main clause and a subordinate clause. To make it a relative clause, the two clauses need to have one phrase, a noun phrase, in common.
Jack shot the robber. The robber died.
Jack shot the robber, who died.
A relative clause is a clause which modifies a noun phrase (noun, pronoun).
Michael Faraday was a scientist who discovered electricity.
Noun = a scientist
A DVD player is a device which plays DVDs.
Noun = a device
A relative clause modifies a noun – it gives extra information about it or defines it.
It is introduced by a relative pronoun who, which or that (also whom and whose).
Who – for persons
Which – for objects, animals, abstract ideas, etc.
That – persons and objects
Whom – objective case
Whose – expresses possession
DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
Defining relative clauses provide important information about the noun phrase they modify – they define what the noun phrase is about. Without it the meaning of the sentence is incomplete.
He is the man who shot the president.
Bring me the book which lies on the floor.
NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
Non-defining relative clauses give extra information about the noun phrase; they are not necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence. Such a clause is separated from the main clause with a comma.
He works in a bank, which has its headquarters in Berlin.
I have a dog, which likes to chase cats.
My wife, who is 27 years old, works at a faculty. (embedded clause)
The comma can change the meaning of a sentence:
I have a brother who lives in Kranj. (I have more brothers)
I have a brother, who lives in Kranj. (I have only one brother)
Relative pronoun who/which/that/etc. replaces a noun. Within the subordinate clause it can be the subject or the object.
SUBJECT RELATIVE CLAUSES
I have a brother who lives in Kranj.
osebek povedek predmet osebek povedek prislovno določilo
The relative pronoun who functions as the subject within the relative clause, making this a subject relative clause.
An MP3 player is a device which plays music in the MP3 format.
OBJECT RELATIVE CLAUSES
John bought a car. I don't like the car.
John bought a car which I don't like.
Relative pronoun 'which' has the role of the object within the subordinate clause, so this is an object relative clause.
That is the woman who I met last night.
He married the woman who he met in Paris.
Only in object defining clauses, we can omit the relative pronoun. The resulting clause is called a contact clause.
That is the woman I met last night.
He married the woman he met in Paris.
The choice of relative pronouns
Relative clause
Defining Non-defining
Subject Object Subject Object
Who/ – Who/ Who/
Which That Which Which
That Who/
Which