RELATIVE CLAUSES AND NON-RELATIVE CLAUSES

Defining relative clauses and non-relative clauses

01

What is it?

01. Relative clauses

Defining relative clauses

Relative clauses give more information about a noun. They have a similar function to an adjective or prepositiojnal phrase.

• the late programme (an adjective)
• the programme at ten o' clock (a prepositional phrase
• the programme that's after this one

Defining relative clauses complete the meaning of the main clause. Withouth them, sentences don't communicate their full meaning. Defining relative clauses often help to identify.

02

What relative pronouns do we use and when?

We use...

03

When can we get rid of the Relative pronoun?

We can rid...

• If the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, then the clause can be reduced to a present participle (verb + ing) phase or past participle (verb + ed) phrase. If the verb is in the active voice, it gets reduced to a present participle phrase.
• The relative pronoun can only be omitted when it is the object of the clause. When the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause, it cannot be omitted.

02. Non-relative clauses

01

What is it?

Defining non-relative clauses

Non-defining relative clauses give us extra information about someone or something. It isn't essential for understanding who or what we are talking about.

• My grandfather, who's 87, goes swimming every day.
• The house, which was built in 1883, has just been opened to the public.
• The award was given to Sara, whose short story impressed the judges.

We always use a relative pronoun or adverb to start a non-defining relative clause: who, which, whose, when or where (but not that). We also use commas to separate the clause from the rest of the sentence.

02

What relative pronouns do we use and when?

We use...

03

When can we get rid of the Relative pronoun?

We can rid...

• If the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, then the clause can be reduced to a present participle (verb + ing) phase or past participle (verb + ed) phrase. If the verb is in the active voice, it gets reduced to a present participle phrase.
• The relative pronoun can only be omitted when it is the object of the clause. When the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause, it cannot be omitted.

Thanks for your attention!