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1. General Explanation
A relative clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun phrase, most commonly
a noun.
2.General Example
For example, the phrase "the man who wasn't there" contains the noun man, which is
modified by the relative clause who wasn't there. A relative clause can also modify a
pronoun, as in "he to whom I have written", or a noun phrase which already contains a
modifier, as in "the black panther in the tree, which is about to pounce". The complete
phrase (modified noun phrase plus modifying relative clause) is also a noun phrase.
3.Relative Pronoun
A relative pronoun is a pronoun that marks a relative clause within a larger sentence.
It is called a relative pronoun because it relates to the word that it modifies and is not
specific . In English, relative pronouns are who, whom, which, whose, and that.
A relative pronoun links two clauses into a single complex clause. It is similar in
function to a subordinating conjunction. Unlike a conjunction, however, a relative
pronoun stands in place of a noun. Compare:
Whom : Object pronoun for people, especially in non defining relative clause (in
defining relative clauses)
4. Relative Clauses for Persons (who, whom, whose, that) -> Subject + Object
+preposition + Possessive + quantifier
Functioning as the subject of the verb in a relative clause and is referring back to a
persons or people, the relative pronouns who or that are used.
Example :
Whose : The boy whose house near with the mall is my friend
5. Relative Clauses for Things (which, that) -> Subject + Object + w/ preposition +
Possessive + Quantifier
Functioning as the subject of a verb in a relative clause and refers back to a thing or
things
Example :
1) I’ve bought a new oven that comes on automatically
5. Relative Adverbs
The following adverbs can be used to join sentences or clauses. They replace the more
formal structure of preposition + which in a relative clause: