relative clause

(noun)

A subordinate clause that modifies a noun.

Related Terms

  • relative pronouns
  • interrogative pronouns
  • strative pronoun
  • demonstrative pronouns
  • Interrogative Pronoun
  • indefinite pronouns
  • who
  • Antecedants
  • Reflexive Pronoun
  • Possessive Pronoun
  • ndefinite Pronoun
  • Indefinite Pronoun
  • Demonstrative Pronoun
  • antecedent
  • subordinate clause
  • interrogative pronoun
  • indefinite pronoun
  • relative pronoun
  • demonstrative pronoun

Examples of relative clause in the following topics:

  • Introduction to Pronouns

    • As you can see, relative clauses can be useful in streamlining your writing and improving your flow.
    • Be sure to ask yourself whether the clause actually clarifies a sentence or makes it too long and complicated.
    • The main relative pronouns dealing with things are "that" and "which."
    • Relative pronouns introduce what are called subordinate clauses.
    • Subordinate clauses are phrases within a sentence that modify the subject of the sentence.
  • Introduction to Commas

    • When joining two independent clauses, or clauses that could stand on their own as full sentences, place a comma before the conjunction.
    • In this situation, use a comma after the dependent clause.
    • Only use a comma to separate a dependent and independent clause if the dependent clause is first!
    • Still, not using the serial comma is relatively uncommon in American English, except in newspapers and magazines.
    • Occurring at the end of a sentence, cumulative clauses hook up to a main clause and add further information.
  • Semicolons

    • Semicolons are used to link related clauses and to separate clauses that contain additional punctuation.
    • Semicolons, like colons and commas, indicate pauses within a sentence to show relationships between words and clauses.
    • Semicolons also link clauses of equal importance, but unlike commas, do not always require a coordinating conjunction.
    • Semicolons can join closely related independent clauses that are not linked with a coordinating conjunction:
    • Semicolons can also be used between independent clauses linked with a transitional phrase or a conjunctive adverb.
  • Using Varied Sentence Lengths and Styles

    • The two main categories of clauses are independent clauses and subordinate (or dependent) clauses.
    • A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no subordinate clauses.
    • A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.
    • A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one subordinate clause.
    • This sentence contains two independent clauses (one before and one after the comma) and each independent clause contains a subordinate clause ("what you eat" and "what you are").
  • Varying Your Sentence Structure and Vocabulary

    • Clauses: The easiest way to vary sentence length and structure is with clauses.
    • Multi-clause sentences can connect related ideas, provide additional detail, and vary the pattern of your language.
    • Clauses can vary in length, too.
    • If this were your paper, you might want to make the next sentence a short one and get to your thesis statement relatively soon.
  • Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

    • Once you discover where the two independent clauses are "spliced," you can then decide how best to separate the clauses:
    • You can use a semicolon between the two clauses if they are of equal importance; this allows your reader to consider the points together.
    • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.
    • If you locate a run-on sentence and find where the two independent clauses "collide," you can then decide how best to separate the clauses.
    • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.
  • Components of a Sentence

    • (adjective clause)
    • The following are examples of clauses:
    • If the clause could stand by itself—that is, form a complete sentence with punctuation—we call it an independent clause.
    • The following are independent clauses:
    • The following are dependent clauses:
  • Common Comma Mistakes

    • Do not use a comma before a dependent clause that comes after an independent clause.
    • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.
    • The independent clauses may not have any punctuation separating them, or they may have a coordinating conjunction between them, but without the comma that needs to accompany it to separate the independent clauses.
    • If you locate a run-on sentence and find where the two independent clauses "collide," you can decide how best to separate the clauses.
    • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.
  • Verb Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, and Imperative

    • Usually, the subjunctive mood is used in a dependent clause.
    • [Main clause "I wish" is factual and in indicative mood; dependent clause "Paul would eat" is hypothetical and in subjunctive mood.]
    • [Main clause "I suggest" is factual and in indicative mood; dependent clause "we wait until" is hypothetical and in subjunctive mood.]
  • Structure of a Sentence

    • A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no subordinate clauses.
    • A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.
    • A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one subordinate clause.
    • A compound-complex sentence (or complex-compound sentence) consists of multiple independent clauses, at least one of which has at least one subordinate clause.
    • This sentence contains two independent clauses (one before and one after the comma), and each independent clause contains a subordinate clause ("what you eat" and "what you are").
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