Relative clauses are one of the most difficult things to understand in English grammar, but they are also extremely important. A relative clause is a clause that is used to modify a noun or pronoun. For example, in the sentence „The man who stole my wallet is in jail,“ the relative clause „who stole my wallet“ modifies the noun „man.“
There are three main types of relative clauses in English: defining relative clauses, non-defining relative clauses, and relative clauses with prepositions.
Defining Relative Clauses
A defining relative clause is a relative clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence. In other words, if you remove the relative clause, the sentence would no longer make sense. For example, in the sentence „The man who stole my wallet is in jail,“ the relative clause „who stole my wallet“ is essential to the meaning of the sentence. If you remove it, the sentence would no longer make sense.
Defining relative clauses are not set off by commas. In other words, they are not optional. You can’t remove them from the sentence without changing the meaning of the sentence.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses
A non-defining relative clause is a relative clause that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. In other words, if you remove the relative clause, the sentence would still make sense. For example, in the sentence „My sister, who is a doctor, is coming to visit,“ the relative clause „who is a doctor“ is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. If you remove it, the sentence would still make sense.
Non-defining relative clauses are always set off by commas. In other words, they are optional. You can remove them from the sentence without changing the meaning of the sentence.
Relative Clauses with Prepositions
A relative clause with a preposition is a relative clause that begins with a preposition. For example, in the sentence „The man in the red shirt is my brother,“ the relative clause „in the red shirt“ modifies the noun „man.“
Relative clauses with prepositions are always set off by commas. In other words, they are optional. You can remove them from the sentence without changing the meaning of the sentence.
