RELATIVE CLAUSE by Proper English with Ananda

Relative clauses?

properEnglish_Ananda — 2023-10-08 19:35:31 UTC

This is a clause that generally modifies a noun (substantivo) or a noun phrase (oração substantiva) and is often introduced by a relative pronoun (which, that, who, whom, whose). A relative clause connects ideas by using pronouns that relate to something previously mentioned and allows the writer to combine two independent clauses into one sentence. A relative clause is also known as an adjective clause. There are two types of relative clauses: restrictive and nonrestrictive.

Restrictive Clauses

properEnglish_Ananda — 2023-10-08 19:40:20 UTC

A restrictive clause restricts or defines the meaning of a noun or noun phrase and provides necessary information about the noun in the sentence. It is not separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Restrictive clauses are more common in writing than nonrestrictive clauses. A restrictive clause is also sometimes referred to as an essential clause or phrase.

Examples:

properEnglish_Ananda — 2023-10-08 19:43:25 UTC

Here are a few examples:

The student who sits in the back of the room asks a lot of questions.
The results that I obtained may invoke positive social change.
The journalist whose story I read yesterday has won prizes for her work.

more...

properEnglish_Ananda — 2023-10-08 19:44:54 UTC

When the relative pronoun functions as the object of the sentence, it can (and usually is) omitted from the relative clause.

Here are a few examples:

The results ~~that~~ I obtained may invoke positive social change.
The article ~~that~~ I requested did not arrive on time.
The participants ~~who~~ I interviewed met me at the local library.

Nonrestrictive Clause:

properEnglish_Ananda — 2023-10-08 19:46:36 UTC

A nonrestrictive clause adds additional information to a sentence. It is usually a proper noun or a common noun that refers to a unique person, thing, or event. It uses commas to show that the information is additional. The commas almost act like parentheses within the sentence. If the information between the commas is omitted, readers will still understand the overall meaning of the sentence. A nonrestrictive clause is also known as a nonessential clause or phrase.

Examples:

properEnglish_Ananda — 2023-10-08 19:48:08 UTC

Here are a few examples:

I want to thank my father, Mark Smith, for all of his love and support.
- With the nonrestrictive clause omitted: I want to thank my father for all of his love and support.
The hypothesis, which I tested throughout the research, was rejected.
- With the nonrestrictive clause omitted: The hypothesis was rejected.
I have found the article, which I have been looking for.
- With the nonrestrictive clause omitted: I have found the article.

properEnglish_Ananda — 2023-10-08 19:49:29 UTC

Although "that" is sometimes used in restrictive clauses, it is not allowed in nonrestrictive clauses.

CORRECT: Minneapolis, which has a population of about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.
INCORRECT: Minneapolis, that has a population of about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.
CORRECT: I had to fix my printer, which I bought less than a year ago.
INCORRECT: I had to fix my printer, that I bought less than a year ago.

properEnglish_Ananda — 2023-10-08 19:53:25 UTC

A relative pronoun cannot be deleted in a nonrestrictive clause.

CORRECT: Minneapolis, which has a population of about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.
INCORRECT: Minneapolis, has a population of about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.
CORRECT: I had to fix my printer, which I bought less than a year ago.
INCORRECT: I had to fix my printer, I bought less than a year ago.

relative pronouns

properEnglish_Ananda — 2024-01-09 17:28:38 UTC

Who - quem, que, o qual - utilizado para pessoas
Whom - quem, de quem, para quem -utilizado para pessoas
Whose - cujo, cuja, cujos, cujas - utilizado para pessoas, coisas e indica posse
Which - que, o qual, o que - utilizado para coisas ou animais
That - que - utilizado para pessoas e coisas
Where - onde, em que, no que, no qual, na qual, nos quais, nas quais - faz referência a lugares
When - quando, em que, no qual, na qual, nos quais, nas quais - faz referência ao tempo
What - o que - qualutilizado para pessoas e coisas

Reduced Relative Clauses

properEnglish_Ananda — 2024-01-21 06:30:09 UTC

In academic writing, relative clauses are often reduced for a more concise style. This also creates more sentence variety. When reducing a relative clause, it is necessary to delete the relative pronoun and either delete or change the verb. Here are some examples:

Gun control is a controversial issue ~~that is~~ about personal rights. ("be" + prepositional phrase)
The steps ~~that were~~ followed were explained in the Methods section. (passive)
Other researchers ~~who are~~ exploring the same topic have discovered similar solutions. (progressive verb tense)
Participants ~~who were~~ available to meet in my office completed their interview there. ("be" + "-able" adjective)
Some of the subjects lived in urban areas ~~that had~~ with high crime rates. ("have" as a main verb is replaced by "with")
In this paper, I reviewed many research articles ~~that addressed~~ addressing the topic of gun control. (linking verbs or verbs describing facts can be changed to "–ing" clauses)
The changes ~~that are~~ to be implemented with the new curriculum revisions are outlined in the handout. ("to" clauses)

Here are a few examples:

properEnglish_Ananda — 2024-01-21 06:41:39 UTC

The book that she read was important for her literature review. (restrictive)
(She read a book. The book was important for her literature review.)
The participants who were interviewed volunteered to be part of the study. (restrictive)
(The participants were interviewed. These partcipants were voluntereed to be part of the study.)
Walden University, which is entirely online, has main administrative offices in Baltimore and Minneapolis. (nonrestrictive)
(Walden University has main administratice offices in Baltimore and Minneapolis. Walden University is entirely online)

properEnglish_Ananda — 2024-01-21 06:43:45 UTC

Lucy: Mom, look what I found! It is an old picture of you and some friends.

Carol: Oh, my God, let me see that! This is the house where I used to live in the 80s.

Lucy: It looks so big. Who is this girl next to you?

Carol: This is the girl who used to be my best friend. I haven’t seen her in a long time.

Lucy: Why?

Carol: The reason why we haven’t seen each other in a long time is the man in the photo.

Lucy: Who is this man?

Carol: This is the man who made us get into a huge fight.

Lucy: Why?

Carol: Well, we both fell in love with him.

Lucy: What? Does dad know this?

Carol: Honey, this is your dad. Don’t you recognize the man that raised you?

Lucy: What? Wow, he is so young and different here. Okay, now the fight makes sense.

Carol: Yeah…

Lucy: Whose dog is this in your lap?

Carol: It was my dog. He passed away a couple of years later. He was very old.

Lucy: Oh, I’m sorry, mom. So, I guess this photo which I found in those old boxes doesn’t bring the best memories, huh?

Carol: Yeah… Honey, don’t worry.