Relative Clauses: Definition, Types, Usage and Examples

Relative clauses are an important part of sentence structure that make our sentences more descriptive and specific. They act like adjectives in a sentence, meaning they give extra information about a person, place, thing, or idea. Relative clauses usually start with words called relative pronouns, such as “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” or “that.” These pronouns connect the clause to the noun it describes.

For example:

• The boy who is wearing a red hat is my brother.
  (The relative clause “who is wearing a red hat” gives more details about “the boy.”)

Relative clauses are helpful because they let us add details without starting a new sentence. They make writing clearer and help the reader understand exactly what or whom we are talking about.

In this discussion, we’ll explain what relative clauses are, describe their types (such as defining and non-defining relative clauses), explore how they are used, and provide examples to show how you can use them effectively in your writing. By the end, you’ll know how to use relative clauses to add precision and depth to your sentences. Let’s dive in!

What is a Relative Clause?

A relative clause is a part of a sentence that gives extra information about a noun, helping us understand it better. It connects to the noun using a relative pronoun like who, whom, which, or that. For example:

• The girl who won the race is my friend.
  (The relative clause “who won the race” gives more details about “the girl.”)

Relative clauses are a type of subordinate clause, meaning they can’t stand alone as a complete sentence. They are part of a larger sentence and depend on it for meaning. A relative clause typically includes a relative pronoun, a verb, and sometimes additional details. They are called “relative” because they link (or relate) the noun to more information in the rest of the sentence.

Here’s another example:

• The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting.
  (The relative clause “that I borrowed from the library” provides more information about “the book.”)

Relative clauses are very useful for making sentences clearer and more descriptive. Instead of writing multiple short sentences, you can use a relative clause to combine ideas and provide specific details in a single sentence. They help to answer questions like “Which one?” or “What kind of?” about the noun they describe.

Examples:

• The shirt that I bought yesterday is too small.
• The cake that my mom baked was delicious.
• The teacher who explained the lesson was excellent.
• The restaurant where we had dinner was amazing.
• The team that won the championship is celebrating.

Types of Relative Clauses 

Relative clauses, also known as adjective clauses, provide additional information about a noun in a sentence. There are two basic types of relative clauses: restrictive (defining) and non-restrictive (non-defining).

Restrictive Relative Clauses

Restrictive relative clauses, also called defining or essential clauses, provide information that is necessary for the sentence’s meaning. Without this information, the sentence’s meaning might be unclear. Commas do not separate them.

Examples:

• The girl who lives next door is my friend.
• The car that is parked in the driveway is mine.
• The student who won the award is excited.
• The girl who is wearing a red dress is my sister.
• The book that I borrowed from the library is fascinating.

Characteristics:

• No commas are used to separate the restrictive relative clause from the rest of the sentence.
• The information in the clause is crucial for identifying the noun.

Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses

Non-restrictive relative clauses, also called non-defining or non-essential clauses, provide additional information that, while interesting, is not crucial to the sentence’s main point. Commas separate them.

Examples:

• My sister, who is wearing a red dress, just arrived.
• My friend, who is a great artist, painted this.
• The mountain, which is covered in snow, is breathtaking.
• My laptop, which I bought last year, is now outdated.
• The novel, which I borrowed from the library, is fascinating.

Characteristics:

• Commas are used to set off the non-restrictive relative clause from the rest of the sentence.
• The information in the clause adds extra detail but is not necessary for identification.

Functions of Relative Clauses

1. Identification:

• Function: Helps identify which person, thing, or place we are talking about.
• Example: The girl who lives next door is my friend.

2. Description:

• Function: They provide additional details to describe the noun in more depth.
• Example: The book that I borrowed from the library is fascinating.

3. Possession:

• Function: Relative clauses using “whose” indicate ownership or possession of the noun.
• Example: The man whose car broke down needs assistance.

4. Location:

• Function: Relative clauses with “where” describe a specific place related to the noun.
• Example: The park, where we had a picnic last summer, is beautiful.

5. Time:

• Function: They can convey information about when an action took place.
• Example: The day when we first met was unforgettable.

6. Reason:

• Function: Relative clauses explain the reason behind an action or situation.
• Example: The student who studied diligently aced the exam.

7. Clarification:

• Function: Clarifies the noun, reducing ambiguity in the sentence.
• Example: The city where I was born is very lively.

8. Additional Information:

• Function: Adds extra, non-essential details to make the sentence more interesting.
• Example: My friend, who is a great artist, painted this.

Relative Pronouns List

Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses, providing more information about a noun in a sentence. They connect the main clause to the relative clause, serving as a bridge to give additional details. Here is a list of common relative pronouns used in relative clauses:

• That
• Who
• Why
• Whom
• Whose
• Which
• Where
• When

Relative Clauses Examples

• The book that I bought yesterday is fantastic.
• The girl, who is my neighbor, is friendly.
• The pizza, which is on the table, looks delicious.
• The car that belongs to my brother is blue.
• The house, where I grew up, is near the park.
• The shirt, which is in the closet, is new.
• The flowers that bloom in spring are colorful.
• The girl who won the race is my classmate.
• The boy who is wearing glasses is my cousin.
• The cake, which my mom baked, is delicious.
• The boy who won the award is my friend.
• The book that I’m reading is interesting.
• The phone, which is on the table, is ringing.
• The car that needs repairs is in the garage.
• The movie that you recommended was great.