ENGLISH RELATIVE CLAUSES Meaning and
Definition
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English relative clauses are grammatical structures that are used to provide additional information about a noun or noun phrase in a sentence. These clauses typically begin with a relative pronoun such as "who," "whom," "whose," "which," or "that," and they function as a type of adjective clause. Relative clauses are commonly used in English to add detail or description to a sentence, allowing for more precise and nuanced expression.
Relative clauses can be either defining or non-defining. Defining relative clauses are used to provide necessary information about a noun or noun phrase. They are not set off by commas and are essential to understanding the meaning of the sentence. Non-defining relative clauses, on the other hand, provide additional, non-essential information about a noun or noun phrase. They are separated from the rest of the sentence by commas and can be removed without affecting the basic meaning of the sentence.
English relative clauses can modify various elements in a sentence, including people, animals, things, and ideas. They can also refer to entire clauses or sentences. Relative clauses are versatile and can be used in both spoken and written English, allowing for more complex and sophisticated sentence structures.
Overall, relative clauses in English serve to enhance the clarity and depth of a sentence by providing additional details and descriptions related to a noun or noun phrase.
