Relative clauses: review

A

100

A dependent clause that provides additional information about a noun or noun phrase in the main clause. It modifies or describes a noun and is introduced by a relative pronoun  or a relative adverb,

What is a relative clause?

200

Point out the relative clause in this sentence: "The girl who won the science competition is in my class."

WHO

300

Rewrite these two sentences as one using a relative clause: "I have a dog. It can do amazing tricks."

I have a dog that can do amazing tricks. (other relative pronouns are accepted)

400

Identify and explain whether this clause is restrictive or non-restrictive: "The book that became a bestseller was written by an unknown author."

Restrictive. There are no commas, and the clause is essential to identify which specific book we're talking about. Without this clause, we wouldn't know which book is being discussed.

500

Compare and contrast these two sentences. What is the grammatical and meaning difference?

• A) The professor who wrote the textbook is retiring.
• B) The professor, who wrote the textbook, is retiring.

• A uses a restrictive clause (no commas) and There are many professors, and we're talking about the specific one who wrote the textbook.
• B uses a non-restrictive clause (commas) and we're already talking about a specific professor. It just happens that this professor also wrote the textbook. 

B

100

The noun or noun phrase that the relative clause modifies or describes. It's the noun that the relative pronoun refers back to.

What is the "antecedent" in a relative clause?

200

Identify the antecedent and the relative clause: "The book that my teacher recommended is on the bestseller list."

• Antecedent: The book
• Relative clause: that my teacher recommended

300

Look at both sentences. Which one uses a restrictive clause and which uses a non-restrictive clause?

• A) Students who study hard pass the exam.

• B) My teacher, who studied at Oxford University, is very knowledgeable.

400

Rewrite this sentence using a relative clause: "The technology is revolutionary. Companies use it to improve production."  

The technology which/that companies use to improve production is revolutionary.

500

Explain the grammatical mistake in this sentence and correct it: 

"The restaurant where I went there for dinner was very expensive."

Answer: Mistake: The relative adverb "where" already includes the idea of "there," so saying "where I went there" is redundant.

Correct: The restaurant where I went for dinner was very expensive.

Or: The restaurant that I went to for dinner was very expensive.

C

100

Which relative pronoun do we use for people as the subject?

Who

Example: The teacher who is absent will return tomorrow.

200

What does the relative clause do in this sentence: "I have a friend who lives in Paris"?

Answer: It provides additional information about the friend. It tells us WHERE the friend lives.

300

Identify the relative clause: "Students who complete their homework regularly get better grades."

Answer: who complete their homework regularly

400

In the sentence "The scientist whose research won the Nobel Prize is retired," identify the antecedent, the relative pronoun, and the relative clause.

Answer:

• Antecedent: The scientist
• Relative pronoun: whose
• Relative clause: whose research won the Nobel Prize

500

Why would this sentence be incorrect? "The city which has great museums is Paris."

Answer: Because "Paris" is already a specific, identified city, the clause is non-restrictive and needs commas. It should be: "Paris, which has great museums, is a beautiful city."