A
relative clause is one kind of dependent clause. It has a subject and verb, but
can’t stand alone as a sentence. It is sometimes called an “adjective clause”
because it functions like an adjective—it gives more information about a noun.
A relative clause always begins with a “relative pronoun,” which substitutes
for a noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun when sentences are combined.
The
relative pronouns are:
who
|
for people
|
can substitute for subject
nouns/pronouns (he, she, we, they)
|
whom
|
for people
|
can substitute for object
nouns/pronouns (him, her, us, them)
|
whose
|
for people
|
can substitute for possessive
nouns/pronouns (his, hers, our, their)
|
that
|
for people or things
|
can be either subject or object
can only be used in restrictive
relative clauses (see below)
|
which
|
for things
|
can be either subject or object
can be used in non-restrictive
relative clauses
can also be used in restrictive
relative clauses, though some people don’t like this use
|
Relative pronoun as subject (in red):
I like the person. The person
was nice to me.
I like the person who
was nice to me.
I hate the dog. The dog bit
me.
I hate the dog that
bit me.
I am moving to Louisville, KY. It is home to the Muhammad Ali Museum.
I am moving to Louisville, KY, which is home to the Muhammad Ali Museum.
Relative
pronoun as object (in red):
I like the bike. My father gave me the bike.
I like the bike that
my father gave me.
Restrictive Relative Clauses
Restrictive
relative clauses give information that defines the noun—information that’s
necessary for complete identification of the noun. Use “that” or “which” for
non-human nouns; use “that” or “who” for human nouns. Do not use commas.
I like the paintings. (Which paintings? We can’t clearly
identify them without the relative clause.)
So
we add the clause:
The paintings hang in the SASB North lobby.
I like the paintings that
hang in the SASB North lobby.
OR
I like the paintings which
hang in the SASB North lobby. (Again, this is acceptable, but some people
object to using “which” in a restrictive relative clause. “That” is preferred.)
Students who study hard will
do well in my class. (Only this group of students will do well.)
Students whose grades are low
can drop one test score. (Only this group can drop a test score.)
When
the noun is the object of the preposition, both the noun and the preposition
move together to the front of the relative clause. In less formal English, it’s
common to move only the pronoun to the front of the clause.
I spent hours talking with a person last
night. I hope to hear from her.
I hope I hear from the person with
whom I spent hours talking last night. (more formal)
OR
I hope to hear from the person whom
I spent hours talking with last night. (less
formal)
Non-restrictive Relative Clauses
This
type of relative clause merely provides extra information. This information may
be quite interesting and important to the larger conversation, but it is not
essential for precise identification of the noun. “That” cannot be used as a
relative pronoun in a non-restrictive relative clause. Commas are always used
at the beginning and end of this type of relative clause.
A
non-restrictive relative clause can modify a single noun, a noun phrase, or an
entire proposition.
My mother is thinking of opening a restaurant. My mother is an excellent cook.
“My
mother” is already a clearly defined noun, so the second sentence becomes a
non-restrictive relative clause set off by commas on both sides.
My mother, who is
an excellent cook, is thinking of opening a restaurant.
I’m planning to grow roses. I find roses quite beautiful.
I’m planning to grow roses, which
I find quite beautiful.
(not okay) I’m planning to grow roses, that I find quite beautiful.
I’m driving across the country with three small children.
Driving across the country with three
small children
is going to be stressful.
I’m driving across the country with three small children, which is going to be stressful.
Sumber :
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/relative-clauses/
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