Understanding the basic components of sentence structure is crucial in the process of learning English. English sentences are composed of basic sentence elements such as subject, verb, and object, and these elements must harmoniously combine to create natural sentences. Among these, ‘relative clauses’ play a very important role in English sentences. Relative clauses modify nouns or provide additional information about the nouns, making English sentences complex and diverse.
Definition of Relative Clauses
A relative clause is a clause composed of a ‘relative pronoun’ and ‘subject + verb’ that attaches to the main clause and serves to modify a noun. It primarily begins with relative pronouns like ‘who’, ‘whom’, ‘whose’, ‘which’, ‘that’, etc., which clarify what noun the subsequent clause is modifying or what information is connected to that noun. For example:
- Example 1: The book that I borrowed from the library is fascinating.
- Example 2: The woman who is wearing a red dress is my aunt.
Types of Relative Clauses
Relative clauses can be broadly divided into two categories: first, restrictive relative clauses, and second, non-restrictive relative clauses.
1. Restrictive Relative Clauses
Restrictive relative clauses provide essential information about a noun, limiting the noun. Without this clause, the meaning of the sentence becomes incomplete. For example, in ‘The students who study hard will pass the exam.’, the relative clause ‘who study hard’ clarifies what kind of students are being referred to.
2. Non-restrictive Relative Clauses
Non-restrictive relative clauses provide additional information, but do not limit the meaning of the main clause. These clauses are often set off by commas, and the relative pronoun can serve as the subject. For example, in ‘My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us next week.’, ‘who lives in New York’ reinforces the meaning of the main clause but is not essential for the overall meaning of the sentence.
Antecedent in Relative Clauses
Relative clauses must have an antecedent. The antecedent is the noun that the relative clause modifies, serving as the reference point for what information the relative clause provides about the subject. Care is needed to ensure that the relative pronoun clearly modifies the antecedent, which may vary according to the unique type of relative pronoun used.
Agreement Between Relative Pronoun and Antecedent
The form of the relative pronoun and the antecedent may vary based on case (subjective, objective, or possessive). Here are examples of agreement between various relative pronouns and antecedents:
- Subjective relative pronoun: The man who is smiling is my uncle. (Antecedent: man)
- Objective relative pronoun: The book that you lent me was interesting. (Antecedent: book)
- Possessive relative pronoun: The girl whose bicycle was stolen is my friend. (Antecedent: girl)
Separated Relative Clauses
Relative clauses typically appear close to their antecedent, but sometimes a non-adjacent relative clause may be used. This can complicate the sentence structure, particularly when multiple nouns are used within a single sentence. A separated relative clause occurs when the antecedent is located elsewhere in the sentence, but the meaning of the relative pronoun remains connected to the antecedent.
Examples of Separated Relative Clauses
Separated relative clauses are typically interrupted by short adverbial phrases or clauses. For example:
- The student, who studied all night, passed the exam.
- My sister, whose cat is missing, is worried.
Points to Note When Using Separated Relative Clauses
Firstly, it’s important to clarify the relationship with the antecedent when using separated relative clauses. Consider how clearly the antecedent conveys information in the sentence, and avoid structures that might confuse understanding. Another point to be cautious about is that the form of the relative pronoun may vary depending on whether the antecedent is singular or plural.
Practice with Relative Clauses
To use relative clauses proficiently, continuous practice is necessary. Here are some practice methods for using relative clauses:
1. Creating Example Sentences
Try to create independent example sentences using each relative pronoun. Repeatedly practicing can enhance understanding of sentence structure.
2. Analyzing Sentences
Identify the relative clauses in given sentences and analyze the antecedents and their relationships. This will deepen your understanding of the meaning and usage of relative clauses.
3. Reading and Writing Practice
Read various texts in English and analyze how relative clauses are used. Subsequently, try to apply these structures in your own writing to improve your skills.
Conclusion
Relative clauses, antecedents, and separated relative clauses are essential elements in constructing sentences in English. By understanding and using them correctly, you can write and speak better English sentences. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with the relevant grammatical rules and various usages, and to practice extensively so that you can freely utilize relative clauses. It is vital to not only understand the grammar but also to strive to use it naturally in actual communication.