1. Recognizing Relative Clauses
They often function as an adjective, answering questions such as "which
one?".
The girl who wore a red dress was the star of the evening.
2. Positioning of Relative Clauses
Directly after the noun they modify.
The book that I bought yesterday is gripping.
3. Deciding on the Correct Pronoun
Who/Whom: For people.
The man who called you is my friend.
Which: For things.
The car which is parked outside is new.
That: For people and things (especially in informal speech).
The movie that we watched was fantastic.
4. Using Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Clauses
Restrictive: Essential for the meaning. Doesn't use commas.
People who smoke should quit.
Non-Restrictive: Adds extra information. Use commas.
My brother, who is a dentist, is visiting.
Statistics Corner
70% of relative clauses in spoken English use the pronoun "that"."Whose" is the least commonly used relative pronoun, appearing in less than 5% of relative clauses.
Metkagram's Grammar cards with annotations
Master the use of relative clauses with Metkagram's Grammar cards with annotations. Contextual examples will aid you in integrating these seamlessly into your language.
Quick check-up
1. What are relative clauses?
Relative clauses are parts of sentences that give extra information about a person or thing without starting a new sentence.
2. Can you give me an example of a relative clause?
Sure! In the sentence "The girl who wore a red dress was the star of the evening," "who wore a red dress" is a relative clause.
3. Where do I put the relative clause in a sentence?
You put it directly after the noun it is giving more information about.
4. Which relative pronoun should I use for people?
You should use "who" or "whom" for people.
5. Which relative pronoun should I use for things?
You should use "which" for things.
6. Can I use 'that' as a relative pronoun?
Yes, you can use "that" for both people and things, especially when you are talking in a more casual or informal way.
7. What's the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses?
Restrictive clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence and don’t have commas. Non-restrictive clauses give extra information and are separated by commas.
8. What is the least commonly used relative pronoun?
"Whose" is the least commonly used.
9. Do people use relative clauses a lot in spoken English?
Yes, they do, especially with the pronoun "that".
10. How can Metkagram's flashcards help me learn about relative clauses?
They give you lots of examples in different situations, which can help you understand how to use them in your own speaking and writing.