A complex sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause which functions as subject, object, adverbial or complement. “When you mention something or someone in a sentence, you often want to give further information about them. One way to do this is to use a relative clause.”
My explanations are based on several literatures. I used the Grammar books by Sinclair, Quirk and Swan. The examples I used I also took from school grammar books and textbooks.
We distinguish three types of relative clauses:
• (adnominal) relative clauses
• nominal relative clauses and
• sentential relative clauses
You get further information especially on adnominal relative clauses and some additional points on nominal relative clauses. But adnominal relative clauses are the central type of relative clauses.
Moreover we distinguish two kinds of adnominal relative clauses:
• defining relative clauses
• non-defining relative clauses.
Relative clauses are introduced mostly by relative pronouns. They can function as subjects or objects of verbs in the relative clause and they join sentences together.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Kinds of relative clauses
- 3. Relative pronouns in general
- 3.1. Relative pronouns in defining relative clauses
- 3.1.1. Relative pronoun as subject
- 3.1.2. Relative pronoun as object
- 3.1.3. Using prepositions
- 3.2. Relative pronouns in non-defining relative clauses
- 3.2.1. Relative pronouns as subject
- 3.2.2. Relative pronoun as object
- 3.2.3. Relative pronouns and prepositions
- 3.2.4. Relative pronoun with quantifiers, superlatives and determiners
- 3.3. Using 'whose'
- 3.4. Using other relative pronouns
- 3.1. Relative pronouns in defining relative clauses
- 4. Nominal relative clauses
- 5. Material and methods
- 6. Describing the examples
- 6.1. Defining relative clauses
- 6.2. Non-defining relative clauses
- 6.3. Other relative pronouns in defining and non-defining relative clauses
- 7. Analysis
- 7.1. Defining relative clauses with pronoun
- 7.2. Contact clauses
- 7.3. Non-defining relative clauses with pronoun
- 7.4. Other relative pronouns
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive overview of relative clauses in English, focusing on relative pronouns and their usage in defining and non-defining clauses. The text aims to clarify the different types of relative clauses, their functions, and the grammatical rules governing their application.
- Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses
- The Function of Relative Pronouns
- Grammatical distinctions between relative pronoun usage
- The use of "whose" and other relative pronouns
- Nominal relative clauses
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter lays the groundwork for the study of relative clauses. It defines a complex sentence and introduces the concept of relative clauses as a way to provide additional information about nouns or pronouns within a sentence. The chapter establishes the theoretical basis for the subsequent analysis, referencing key grammatical works by Sinclair, Quirk, and Swan and outlining the three types of relative clauses distinguished by Quirk (adnominal, nominal, and sentential), with a focus on adnominal relative clauses.
2. Kinds of relative clauses: This chapter distinguishes between the two main types of relative clauses: defining and non-defining. It clarifies the function of each type, explaining that defining relative clauses identify the person or thing being referred to, while non-defining relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information. The chapter also notes alternative terminology used to describe these clause types, such as “identifying/non-identifying” and “restrictive/non-restrictive,” highlighting the close connection between defining clauses and their antecedents and the typical use of commas or dashes to separate non-defining clauses from the main sentence.
3. Relative pronouns in general: This chapter focuses on the role of relative pronouns in introducing relative clauses. It explains the dual function of relative pronouns as both subjects or objects of verbs within the clause and as connectors between sentences. The chapter presents a table summarizing common relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that, zero) and their usage in defining and non-defining clauses, distinguishing between personal and non-personal pronouns. The use of 'that' as a substitute for other pronouns is also discussed, along with the grammatical functions (gender, case) of 'wh'-pronouns.
6. Describing the examples: This chapter presents and analyzes examples of relative clauses, categorized according to their type (defining and non-defining) and the function of the relative pronoun within them (subject, object). It examines the use of ‘whose’ with both personal and non-personal antecedents, and includes a discussion of contact clauses. The chapter provides a detailed illustration of the concepts and grammatical rules explained in the previous chapters.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Relative clauses, relative pronouns, defining relative clauses, non-defining relative clauses, contact clauses, grammatical functions, 'who', 'whom', 'whose', 'which', 'that', antecedent.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Guide to Relative Clauses in English
What is the main topic of this text?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of relative clauses in English grammar. It focuses on the different types of relative clauses, the functions of relative pronouns, and the grammatical rules governing their usage.
What types of relative clauses are discussed?
The text primarily discusses defining and non-defining relative clauses. It also covers nominal relative clauses and contact clauses. Defining relative clauses identify the noun or pronoun they refer to, while non-defining relative clauses add extra, non-essential information.
What are relative pronouns, and what are their functions?
Relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that, zero) introduce relative clauses. They serve a dual function: connecting the relative clause to the main clause and acting as either the subject or object within the relative clause itself.
How are defining and non-defining relative clauses distinguished?
Defining relative clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence and are not set off by commas. Non-defining relative clauses provide extra information and are set off by commas or dashes. The text also notes that alternative terminology such as “identifying/non-identifying” and “restrictive/non-restrictive” is used.
What is the role of the relative pronoun "whose"?
The relative pronoun "whose" shows possession and can refer to both people and things.
What other relative pronouns are covered?
Besides "whose," the text covers "who," "whom," "which," "that," and the zero relative pronoun (where the relative pronoun is omitted).
What grammatical distinctions are addressed in the text?
The text addresses grammatical distinctions related to the function of relative pronouns (subject vs. object), the use of prepositions with relative pronouns, and the use of relative pronouns with quantifiers, superlatives, and determiners.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of the key concepts and information presented in each chapter of the text. They offer a structured and easily accessible means to review the main points.
What is the structure of the text?
The text is structured logically, beginning with an introduction and a clear outline of objectives and key themes. Subsequent chapters systematically explore various aspects of relative clauses, concluding with a summary of key findings and concepts.
What are the key themes of this study?
Key themes include the distinction between defining and non-defining relative clauses, the grammatical functions of relative pronouns, and the usage of various relative pronouns ("who," "whom," "whose," "which," "that," zero relative pronoun) in different contexts.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: Relative clauses, relative pronouns, defining relative clauses, non-defining relative clauses, contact clauses, grammatical functions, 'who', 'whom', 'whose', 'which', 'that', antecedent.
What is the objective of this work?
The objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of relative clauses in English, focusing on relative pronouns and their usage in defining and non-defining clauses. The text aims to clarify the different types of relative clauses, their functions, and the grammatical rules governing their application.
Which grammatical works are referenced?
The text references key grammatical works by Sinclair, Quirk, and Swan. These works are utilized to establish a theoretical foundation for the subsequent analysis of relative clauses.
What kind of examples are used?
The text includes numerous examples of relative clauses to illustrate the concepts discussed, categorized by type and function of the relative pronoun. These examples aid understanding and comprehension of the grammatical rules.
- Quote paper
- Heidrun Dietrich (Author), 1994, Relative clauses with relative pronouns, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/41607
