A relative clause, also known as an adjective clause, is a type of subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in the main sentence. It functions like an adjective by providing additional information about the noun it refers to. For example, in the sentence 'The book that I read yesterday was interesting', the phrase 'that I read yesterday' is a relative clause that tells us which specific book we're talking about.
Relative clauses typically begin with relative pronouns. The most common ones are 'who' or 'whom' for people, 'which' for things, and 'that' for either people or things. We also have 'whose' to show possession, 'where' for places, and 'when' for time. For example, 'The woman who lives next door is a teacher' uses 'who' because it refers to a person. 'The car which I bought is red' uses 'which' for a thing, and 'The house that we visited was old' uses 'that' which can refer to either people or things.
There are two main types of relative clauses. First, defining or restrictive clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence and cannot be removed without changing the meaning. They don't use commas. For example, 'The students who study hard pass exams' - here 'who study hard' defines which specific students we're talking about. Second, non-defining or non-restrictive clauses provide additional information that can be removed without affecting the main meaning. They are set off by commas. For example, 'My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor' - the clause 'who lives in London' gives extra information but isn't essential to identify which brother.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using relative clauses. First, don't use double subjects. It's wrong to say 'The man who he came' - just say 'The man who came'. Second, use the correct pronoun: 'who' or 'whom' for people, 'which' for things, and 'that' for either. For example, don't say 'The person which helped me' - say 'The person who helped me'. Third, remember to use commas for non-defining clauses. If the information is extra and not essential, put commas around it, like 'My sister, who lives in Paris, is a teacher'.
Let's summarize what we've learned about relative clauses. They are subordinate clauses that modify nouns or pronouns, typically beginning with relative pronouns like who, which, that, or relative adverbs. There are two main types: defining clauses that are essential to meaning, and non-defining clauses that provide extra information with commas. Remember to use the correct pronouns - who for people, which for things, and that for either. Practice is key to mastering relative clauses. Try filling in the blanks: 'The movie that we watched was exciting', 'The teacher who helped me is kind', and 'London, which is the capital, is big'. Keep practicing and you'll master relative clauses in no time!