English is one of the most widely used languages in the world, and its grammar and structure possess unique characteristics that set it apart from other languages. To understand English grammar, it is essential to learn various sentence structures, among which relative clauses and relative pronouns are very important elements. In particular, the relative pronoun ‘what’ plays a crucial role in leading noun clauses. This article will closely examine the usage of relative clauses, noun clauses, and ‘what’.
1. Understanding Relative Clauses
A relative clause refers to a clause that is related to a noun. Generally, a relative clause provides additional information to the main clause and is formed using a relative word (relative pronoun). Relative clauses can take various forms, such as subject, object, or complement.
For example, in ‘The book that I read was fascinating.’, ‘that I read’ is a relative clause that provides additional information about ‘the book’. Here, ‘that’ is the relative pronoun, which takes ‘the book’ as its antecedent, forming a relative clause.
1.1 Types of Relative Clauses
Relative clauses can be broadly divided into restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses.
- Restrictive Relative Clauses: These clauses limit the meaning of the antecedent. They play a crucial role in providing necessary information. Example: ‘The students who study hard will succeed.’
- Non-restrictive Relative Clauses: These clauses provide additional information about the antecedent but allow the sentence to retain its overall meaning without them. Example: ‘My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us.’
2. Understanding Noun Clauses
Noun clauses function as nouns in a sentence and can serve as subjects, objects, or complements. Noun clauses contain important information in the main clause and can be constructed in various ways. They are primarily formed using ‘that’, ‘whether’, ‘if’, and the relative pronoun ‘what’.
2.1 Functions of Noun Clauses
Noun clauses fulfill the role of a noun in the sentence along with the subject, verb, and object.
- Used as a Subject: ‘What he said was surprising.’
- Used as an Object: ‘I don’t understand why she left.’
- Used as a Subject Complement: ‘The fact is that we need to study more.’
3. Role of the Relative Pronoun ‘What’
The relative pronoun ‘what’ leads noun clauses and is a special form of relative pronoun with the meaning ‘the thing(s) that’. ‘What’ can serve as a subject, object, or complement and has a unique characteristic that allows it to form noun clauses.
3.1 Examples of Using ‘What’
‘What’ is used in various contexts as follows.
- Used as a Subject: ‘What you need is more time.’ – Here, ‘what you need’ acts as the subject.
- Used as an Object: ‘I didn’t know what you meant.’ – In this sentence, ‘what you meant’ serves as the object.
- Used as a Subject Complement by a Noun Clause: ‘The truth is what we believed all along.’ – ‘what we believed all along’ acts as the complement.
4. Grammatical Characteristics of the Relative Pronoun ‘What’
The relative pronoun ‘what’ has two grammatical functions. First, ‘what’ can be interpreted as ‘the thing(s) that’ when it leads a noun clause. Second, ‘what’ can be used to form a clause that includes a subject and a verb.
4.1 Rules for Using ‘What’
When using ‘what’, it is important to follow these rules.
- As a Subject Role: It can serve as the subject of the sentence, and in this case, the verb following ‘what’ is used in the singular form. Example: ‘What is necessary is courage.’
- As an Object Role: When ‘what’ is used as an object, it forms a subject-verb structure, which may include content related to the subject. Example: ‘He explained what he meant.’
5. Various Cases of Using ‘What’ in English Sentences
Sentences using the relative pronoun ‘what’ can convey various meanings depending on the usage. Below, we will explore the ways of using ‘what’ through some examples.
5.1 Usage in Questions
The relative pronoun ‘what’ is often used in questions, where it carries the direct meaning of ‘what’. Example: ‘What do you want to do today?’
5.2 Usage in Indirect Questions
‘What’ can also be used in creating indirect questions. Example: ‘I don’t know what he wants.’
5.3 Usage as Subject and Object
‘What’ can be used as a subject or object in various sentences, which can diversify its meaning and sentence structure. For example: ‘What makes you happy?’
6. Conclusion: The Importance of Relative Clauses and ‘What’
Relative clauses and the relative pronoun ‘what’ are very important elements in understanding and using English sentences. By correctly structuring grammar and choosing vocabulary, one can use English more effectively and expressively. It is essential to practice utilizing relative clauses and ‘what’ in various sentences.
Now you have gained an understanding of the importance of relative clauses and the relative pronoun ‘what’, along with their usage. I hope this helps you effectively write and speak in English in the future.