Types of relative clauses in English. What are the relative clauses in English

The use of subordinate clauses in English language has its own characteristics. Let's see what are clauses and how to use them correctly with the main ones.

How to recognize a relative clause

The clause in English - also called dependent - starts with either a relative pronoun and contains. By itself, it does not form a complete statement, but only provides the reader with additional information.

List of subordinate unions:

Take a look at these examples:

• After bob came home from school

After - subordinate union; Bob - subject; came - predicate.

• Once John climbed the mountain

Once - subordinate union; John - subject; climbed is a predicate.

• Until he watches his favorite film

Until - subordinate union; he - subject; watches - predicate.

A subordinate clause in English cannot be independent, since it does not express a complete thought. It makes the reader think, "What's next?" If a group of words starts with an uppercase letter and ends with a period, it must contain at least one. Otherwise it will be a gross grammatical error.

• After Bob came home from school - What happened next? Did he start doing homework or went to play with friends?
• Once John climbed the mountain - What then? Did he start going down or put a flag?
• Until he watches his favorite film - Does he go to bed? Or will she not get to work?

How to combine a subordinate clause with a main clause

If a subordinate clause in English comes before the main clause, you need to separate them with a comma: subordinate clause +, + main clause

• After Bob came home from school, he had dinner.
• Once John climbed the mountain, he put up the tent.

If, punctuation marks are usually not required: main clause + Ø + subordinate clause

• Bob did poorly on his math test Ø because he did not review the material.
• John went straight back to the camp Ø where his friends were waiting for him.
• He turned off the TV Ø once the film was over.

Punctuation of relative clauses

Pay attention to the punctuation when the English relative clause begins with.

Subordinate clauses can begin with a relative pronoun (then they are called clauses). When the qualifier begins with, for example, who, whose, or which, there are some nuances in punctuation.

Sometimes a comma is needed, sometimes not, depending on whether the English subordinate clause is individualizing or descriptive.

When the information contained in a subordinate clause specifies a common noun, it is individualizing and is not separated by a comma.

main clause + Ø + individualizing subordinate clause

• The old woman always left some milk for the cat Ø who lived near her house.

Cat is a common noun. What kind of cat are we talking about? The clause explains this - who lived near her house. Thus, it is individualizing and does not require a comma.

When a relative clause in English follows a specific noun, the punctuation changes. The information in the subordinate clause is no longer so important, and it becomes descriptive. The descriptive sentence is separated by a comma.

main clause +, + descriptive relative clause

• The old woman always left some milk for her cat Missy, who lived in her house.

Missy is the name of a particular cat, and we immediately know who we are talking about. The information in this subordinate clause is not necessary to understand the meaning. In this case, it must be separated from the main sentence with a comma.

The clauses can also be inside the main one. Again, no punctuation is required for the individualizing clause in this case. If the sentence is descriptive, separate it with commas on both sides. Take a look at these examples:

• The woman Ø who gave us first aid Ø was a doctor from the local hospital.
• Mrs. Johnson, who gave us first aid, was a doctor from the local hospital.

Submissive relationship

Use the subordinate relationship to combine two thoughts into one.

Writers often use the subordinate relationship to combine two thoughts into one sentence. Take a look at two simple sentences:

• Elizabeth gasped. A giant tree crashed onto the sidewalk in front of her.

Since they are interrelated, you can combine them into one to describe what is happening in a more meaningful way:

• Elizabeth gasped when giant tree crashed onto the sidewalk in front of her.

If two thoughts are of unequal importance, put the more significant at the end so that the reader will remember it better. If you rewrite the example by swapping the fragments in places, the emphasis will shift:

• When a giant tree crashed onto the sidewalk in front of her, Elizabeth gasped.

However, it is not Elizabeth's reaction that matters to the reader, but the tree that fell on the sidewalk.

Knowing the rules for using subordinate clauses in English, you will be able to express your thoughts more competently and clearly. This, in turn, will allow you to significantly improve your level. If you still have questions about how to make one complex out of two simple sentences, we will be happy to answer them in the comments!

Subordinate clauses in English are found in subordinate clauses. They differ in that their meaning will not be fully understood without the presence of the main sentence.

Types of subordinate clauses

Depending on the grammatical function, subordinate clauses can be subject clause, predicative clause, attributive clause, object clause, and adverbial clause. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Subjective

Serves as a subject. Pay Special attention on the structure of the main part, which in in this case deprived of the subject, because this is the subject clause.

What I want to tell you is something very important. “What I want to tell you is very important.

• If the subjective comes after the main, then the pronoun it is put at the beginning of the sentence.

  It was always possible that they can break up. - The possibility that they might part has always existed.

  Please note: in order for the perception of the phrase to remain pleasant to the ear and readable in Russian, the structure can be completely changed during translation.

• The connecting elements are if, whether, that, who, which, what, whatever, whoever, where, when, why, how, or they may not exist at all.

  What was done could not be undone. - What is done is done (you can't redo it).

English clauses

Predicate

Serves as a predicate or predicate. The unusualness of such constructions lies in the fact that the sentence contains only a part of the compound nominal predicate (linking verb), and the second part is the entire predicative clause.

• The conjunctions that, if, whether, as if are used as connectives.

  I felt as if someone poured a bucket of water over my head. - I felt as if a bucket of water had been poured over my head.

• Service words what, which, who, where, when, how, why.

  That was why you asked him so many questions. “That's why you asked him so many questions.

  Please note: as a rule, predicative clauses are not separated by commas, the exception is the presence of several predicate clauses that are consistent with each other.

Additional subordinate clause

They perform the function of the complement and refer to the word in the main sentence.

I have no idea what he is talking about! - I have no idea what he's talking about!

Ligaments may be absent altogether.

Definitive

Definitive subordinate clauses in English refer to the noun (pronoun) in the principal clause. Depending on the meaning and type of connection, they are divided into relative and appositive. The first type can have both allied and non-allied ties, the second - only allied.

Attributive relative can be both restrictive and descriptive.

• Restrictive ones narrow the meaning of the word being defined, and without their presence, the whole meaning of the statement changes. Due to such a close connection with the main sentence, they are not separated by commas and are introduced by relative pronouns - who, whose, which, as, that; relative adverbs - when, where.

  All that could be done had been done. - Everything that could be done was done.(If we remove from the sentence "that could been done", then the meaning of the phrase will change dramatically.)

• Descriptive ones do not limit the meaning of the word being defined and add additional information about it, which we can remove without changing the meaning of the phrase. Because the connection here is not as close as in the previous case, then the sentences are separated by a comma. The inputs are who, which and where, when.

  She, who always was very persistent, gave up. - She, always being very persistent, gave up.

• Attributive appositives serve as an attachment to reveal the meaning of an abstract noun. If you remove them, the meaning will not change. They are introduced using that, whether, how, why.

  He stopped in the hope that she would say something. He paused in the hope that she would say something.(The definable abstract noun is hope.)

Circumstantial

Adverbial clauses act as circumstances and define a verb, adjective, or adverb. Depending on the meaning, adverbial sentences may be associated with:

You can also learn about the relative clauses of time from the video:

In a complex sentence, the subordinate clause performs a number of functions: circumstances, the nominal part of a compound predicate, subject, definitions and additions. English clauses are added to complex sentence... For this, unions are used that, if, before, because, as, unless whether, though till, when, since, after etc.

Classification of subordinate clauses

There are many types of clauses.

1. Subject clauses. They perform the functions of the subject in the sentence and answer the questions of who? what? Subject unions are connected that, whether, i f, who (whom), whose, what, which, when, where,how, why.

Where I live is a wonderful place. (The place where I live is wonderful)

How he behaves drives me mad. (His behavior drives me crazy.)

2. Predicative Clause. These sentences serve as the nominal part of the compound predicate. The predicates are connected by the same unions as the subjects, and answer the question: what is the subject? (what is it? what is the subject?).

The problem is whether they are able to study. (The problem is if they can learn)

The result was that we hadn’t got any presents. (As a result, we have not received any gifts)

3. Additions (Object Clause). In a sentence, they perform the function of a direct or prepositional indirect complement. These sentences answer the question what?

They said that they did all the tasks. (They said they had done all the assignments)

I was told that I was a strange person. (I was told that I am a strange person)

4. Definitions (Attributive Clause). In the sentence, they perform the function of definition and answer the questions what? which the? whose? In turn, they are connected by unions who, whose, which, that, where, when, why.

I like the song that I heard in the club. (I like the song I heard in the club)

He wears the coat which he bought long ago. (He wears a coat that he bought a long time ago)

5. Circumstances (Adverbial Clause). These proposals fulfill the function of various circumstances. When do they answer the questions? where? where? why? as? and etc.

In English, this kind of sentence, performing the functions of circumstances, are divided into 8 types according to their meaning:

• time;
• places;
• causes;
• investigation;
• mode of action and comparison;
• concessional;
• goals;
• conditions.

Time

Between themselves, they are connected by unions when, while, as, as soon as, since, till, untill, after and others.

I won’t eat until you join me. (I won't eat until you join me)

You haven’t slept since morning. (You haven't slept since morning)

Places

The main offer is linked by unions where, wherever.

She leaves where the forest grows the biggest. (She lives where the densest forest grows)

Wherever I lived, I was always satisfied. (Wherever I lived, I was always happy)

Causes

They unite with the main proposal because, since, as, now, for.

I caught a cold because I was reckless. (I caught a cold because I was careless)

Since you study well, you may get some privileges. (Since you study well, you can get some privileges)

Consequences

The main sentence is combined with a union so that(so ... that), instead of which in colloquial speech so is often used.

I was a good boy so I can get sweets. (I was a good boy so I can get sweets)

Manners and comparisons

I'll think as want to. (I will think the way I want)

Comparative proposals with the main ones are connected by unions than, as ... as, not so ... as, the… the.

He is as handsome as his father. (He is as handsome as his father)

The condemnatory

Unions connected though, although, however, whoever other.

She never was in love though many boys like her. (She never fell in love, although she liked many guys)

Goals

Alliances are used so that, in order that, lest.

Do this work right now so that we may start another work. (Do this job now so we can start another job)

Conditions

Alliances are used if, in case, unless, provided (that) other.

If we try better, we'll finish the work by noon. (If we try harder, we'll be done by noon)

The relative clauses in English differ in their function in the sentence and meaning.

As you know, the sentence ( sentence) is a combination of words that expresses a certain complete thought. Being the minimum unit of speech, a sentence can be as simple ( simple) and complex in structure. Everything is in the article of the same name on our blog. And if, while studying them, you missed something or did not notice, read the article again.

From the article, you will learn that complex sentences can be complex in composition ( compound) and complex ( complex). The difference between them is that in the first all parts of the sentence are equal, and in the second there is the main sentence ( principal clause) and one or more clauses ( subordinate clauses) that explain it.

English clauses are introduced into the structure of a complex sentence with the help of which there are not so few. The main ones are that, because, as, if, whether, when, since, after, before, till, unless, though other.

Types of relative clauses in English

Since relative clauses in English explain the main thing, they play the role of different members of the sentence, hence their types and names appeared. So, there are subordinate clauses:

1. Subject clauses (the subject clause) introduced by the unions that(what), if / whether(whether), who(who), what(what), which(which the), when(when), where(where), how(how), why(why).
   

   Whether we met there or not does not mean anything now. - We met or not, now it does not matter.

   What she told me yesterday turned out to be the truth. “What she told me yesterday turned out to be true.

2. Predicate clauses(predicative - the predicative clause), which is found in the same conjunctions as the previous subordinate clause in English.
   

   The question is whether he knows about her betrayal or not. “The question is whether he knows about her betrayal or not.

   The problem was that he treated us as unfamiliar people. “The problem was that he treated us like strangers.

3. Additional clauses(the object clause) that join the main clause using unions that, if / whether, what, who, which, where, how, why.
   

   He told us that he had seen us buying a bouquet of flowers. - He said he saw us buying a bunch of flowers.

   I do not understand what I must do now. - I do not understand what I should do now.

4. Subordinate clauses (the attributive clause), and to work with them you need unions such as who(which the), whose(whose), which / that(which the), where(where), why(why).
   

   The house where we once lived has been burnt. - The house in which we once lived burned down.

   The woman who helped us was a doctor from our local hospital. “The woman who helped us was a doctor from our district hospital.

5. Subordinate clauses (the adverbial clause), which have their own classification.

   First of all, it is place clauses (the adverbial clause of place), which, as the name suggests, only require unions where(where, where) and wherever(wherever, wherever).

   The dog sleeps wherever he wants. - The dog sleeps wherever he wants.

   Do you know where he plays football? - Do you know where he plays football?

   This is followed by such English subordinate clauses as adverbial clauses (the adverbial clause of time). Accordingly, they need unions that determine the time parameters: when(when), after(after), before(before), till(until), while(while), since(since), as soon as(once).

   She was still crying when he entered the room. She was still crying when he entered the room.

   By the time you get married, I will have a family with three children. - By the time you get married, I will already have a family and three children.

   Next, select a group such as additional circumstances (the adverbial clause of reason) and explain them by unions because(because), as / since(because).

   I called you because I needed money. “I called you because I needed money.

   He can't go to the party because he caught cold. - He can't go to the party because he has a cold.

   We move smoothly to clauses adverbial purpose (the adverbial clause of purpose). Remembering introductory conjunctions that(to), so that / in order that(in order to), lest(so as not to ...).

   She must speak louder so that everybody could hear her. - She needs to speak louder so that everyone can hear her.

   He works hard in order that he can afford himself to buy a house of his dreams. - He works hard to afford to buy his dream home.

   Of course, do not forget about such relative clauses in English as subordinate clauses (the adverbial clause of condition) based on unions if(if), provided that / on condition that(provided that).

   If you find the book I asked, I will fulfill my promise. “If you find the book I asked for, I will fulfill my promise.

   I won’t be free unless you tell me about this. - I will not be free until you tell me about it.

   There are still subgroups of clauses course of action (the adverbial clause of manner), comparisons (the adverbial clause of comparison) and concessions (the adverbial clause of concession). The first and second subgroups of relative clauses in English need unions as(how), as if / as though(ostensibly). But for the third they are suitable though(although), no matter how(no matter how), no matter what(whatever, anyway).

   She is looking at her mother as if she doesn’t recognize her. She looks at her mother as if she doesn't recognize her.

   He reads as quickly as he can. - He reads as fast as he can.

   No matter what he says, I do not believe him. “No matter what he says, I don’t believe him.

Here are how many types clauses in English formed. Although, despite their number, they are all understandable and by no means difficult. One has only to remember the conjunctions and features of each group of subordinate clauses. And with the help of this information, you will be able to quickly navigate such a complex topic as.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.

How often in our speech we assume, make plans, assert for what purpose we have performed this or that action, we regret the missed opportunities. If you do not learn the subject of relative clauses, then you will not be able to conquer all language heights.

Sentence - it is not just a collection of words, but an independent part of speech. Each of them has its own character: some are simple, and some are complex. Let's find mutual language with the second units of speech.

Complex Sentences or Compound Sentences already by their names they say that they consist of two parts. Their main difference is in the interaction of parts with each other. So, in the first type there is a main and a subordinate clause, in the second all relations are built on equality. Let's compare:

The music stopped and the couples took their places. - The music stopped and the couples took their places (equal).

I thought that he would return on Monday. - I thought he would be back on Monday (main and dependent).

So, we are interested in complex phrases, namely, their dependent part. First of all, let's understand what is called relative clauses in English. In our speech, we often use phrases that explain the main action, reveal more information, giving us the opportunity to diversify our speech. In other words, a subordinate clause means a secondary action. Let's compare:

He said something. It was very important. - He said something. It was very important (two easy ones)

What he said was very important. “What he said was very important. (using a clause)

Types of subordinate clauses

If we want to clarify subject, then we use the conjunctions or union words "who" (who), "what" (what), "that" (that), "whose" (whose), "which" (which), "how" (how), " wether "/" if "(if). To determine the type of offer, ask a question. So, Subject Clauses answer to who? what?.

How he made a mistake is not clear to us. - How he made a mistake is not clear to us. (This is unclear?)

Explain English predicate using the same conjunctions as the subject. But Predicative Clauses will answer the question what did it do?

This is what he has done by 6 o'clock. “This is what he did at six.

Subordinate clauses additions answer the question what ?, who? for what?. The main proposal is contacted through all the same alliances or in a non-union way. Subordinate clauses definitions answer the question what? which the? and are introduced using the conjunctions “who”, “whose”, “which”, “that”, “whom”, “when”, “how”.

She smiled at what I said ... She smiled at what I said.

I know the girl who has worn the prize ... - I know a girl who won the first prize.

English clauses that characterize circumstances of action are the largest group.

• Adverbal Clauses of place(places) answer the questions where? where? where? and are joined by the unions "where", "from where", "wherever" (wherever, wherever). Adverbal Clauses of time can be recognized by the conjunctions “when”, “after”, “till / untill”, “while”, “since”, “by the time”, “before”, “whenever” (whenever). Adverbal clauses of manner(course of action) adjoin the main idea with the help of the conjunctions "as if", "as", "as though" and answer the questions how? how?. The great language of exceptions - English - makes us think here too. So, subordinate tense has features when expressing future tense.

They went to the street where the famous writer was killed ... - They came to the place where famous writer was killed.

I haven’t written him since we left the school ... “I haven't written to him since we graduated from high school.

He looked at me as if he saw me for the first time. - He looked at me as if he saw for the first time.

• Adverbal Clauses of reason(causes) introduced in difficult sentence unions "because", "since" (meaning because), "as" (since) and answer the question why ?. Adverbal Clauses of purpose answer the question why? for what purpose? and are joined by the unions "that", "in order that", "so that" - so that the union "lest" - so that not. The most commonly used infinitive is to explain the basic action.

As we hadn’t any food we couldn’t continue our trip. “Since we had no more food, we could not continue our journey.

She went to England to learn English. - She went to England to study English.

She sent her children into the garden in order to work a little. - She sent the children to kindergarten to do a little work.

• Adverbal Clauses of result(investigation) express the result of the action from the main sentence. Subordinate clauses of this type adjoin the main thing with the help of the conjunctions "so that", "that", "so" (so that). This view is not as simple as the others. When connecting the main and secondary parts, do not forget to coordinate the times.

He spoke for such a long time that we began to think that he never stop. “He talked for so long that we began to think that he would never finish.

• Adverbal Clauses of concession(concessions) answer the question no matter what? and are joined by the conjunctions "though", "however" (whatever), "whoever" (whoever), "whatever" (whatever, whatever), "even if" (even if). Adverbal Clauses of condition(conditions)- "if", "unless", "in case".

However rich people are they always want to make more money. - No matter how rich people are, they still want to earn even more money.

If he cleans his shoes it means he is having a date. - If he shines shoes, then he has a date.

Note: conditional clauses are of several types that require careful study.

In spite of a large number of The relative clauses in English are fairly easy to understand and remember. Define main idea and explanatory circumstances, pose a question, look at the connecting union - and you have found the answer.