Which Sentences Contain A Relative Clause Choose Three Answers

Let's explore the fascinating world of relative clauses and how to identify them within sentences. Relative clauses are essential components of English grammar, adding depth and detail to our communication. They function as adjectives, providing extra information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. Understanding their structure and function is key to mastering sentence construction and comprehension. In this article, we'll dive into what relative clauses are, how to identify them, and then practice with examples, focusing on choosing the correct sentences that contain them.

Understanding Relative Clauses

A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. Think of it as an adjective clause because it describes or gives more information about a noun. Relative clauses begin with relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that, whose) or relative adverbs (where, when, why). The entire clause is dependent on the main clause and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

• Key Characteristics:

  • Begins with a relative pronoun or adverb.
  • Modifies a noun or pronoun (the antecedent).
  • Functions as an adjective.
  • Dependent clause – cannot stand alone.

Identifying Relative Pronouns and Adverbs

Recognizing the relative pronouns and adverbs is the first step to identifying relative clauses. These words act as a bridge, connecting the relative clause to the noun it modifies.

• Relative Pronouns:

  • Who: Refers to people (subjective case). Example: The student who studies hard excels.
  • Whom: Refers to people (objective case). Example: The author whom everyone admires is here.
  • Which: Refers to things or animals. Example: The car which I bought is red.
  • That: Refers to people, things, or animals. Example: The book that I'm reading is interesting.
  • Whose: Shows possession. Example: The man whose car was stolen is upset.

• Relative Adverbs:

  • Where: Refers to a place. Example: This is the park where we first met.
  • When: Refers to a time. Example: I remember the day when I graduated.
  • Why: Refers to a reason. Example: I don't know the reason why she left.

Types of Relative Clauses

There are two main types of relative clauses: defining (or restrictive) and non-defining (or non-restrictive). Understanding the difference is crucial for correct usage and punctuation.

Defining Relative Clauses

Defining relative clauses provide essential information that identifies or limits the noun they modify. Without the defining relative clause, the meaning of the sentence would be unclear or incomplete.

• Key Features:

  • Essential to the meaning of the sentence.
  • Not set off by commas.
  • Often uses "that" as the relative pronoun.

• Examples:

  • "The book that I borrowed from the library is due next week." (Which book? The one I borrowed.)
  • "The man who called earlier wants to speak to you." (Which man? The one who called.)
  • "The house where I grew up is now a museum." (Which house? The one where I grew up.)

Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Non-defining relative clauses provide extra, non-essential information about the noun they modify. The sentence would still make sense without the non-defining relative clause.

• Key Features:

  • Adds extra information, but not essential.
  • Set off by commas.
  • Uses "which" or "who" as the relative pronoun (never "that").

• Examples:

  • "My sister, who lives in London, is a doctor." (We already know who "my sister" is; the clause just adds extra info.)
  • "The Eiffel Tower, which is a famous landmark, attracts millions of tourists." (We know what the Eiffel Tower is; the clause just adds extra info.)
  • "Paris, where I spent my childhood, is a beautiful city." (We know what Paris is; the clause just adds extra info.)

How to Identify Relative Clauses: A Step-by-Step Guide

Identifying relative clauses can become straightforward with a systematic approach. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:

1. Look for Relative Pronouns and Adverbs: Scan the sentence for words like who, whom, which, that, whose, where, when, and why. These are your potential starting points.
2. Identify the Antecedent: Determine which noun or pronoun the relative pronoun or adverb refers to. This is the antecedent.
3. Check for a Clause: Ensure that the words following the relative pronoun or adverb form a clause (a group of words containing a subject and a verb).
4. Determine if the Clause is Essential: Ask yourself: Is the information in the clause essential to understanding which noun or pronoun is being referred to? If yes, it's a defining relative clause. If no, it's a non-defining relative clause and should be set off by commas.
5. Confirm Adjective Function: Verify that the entire clause functions as an adjective, modifying the antecedent.

Practice: Identifying Relative Clauses in Sentences

Now, let's put your knowledge to the test with some practice sentences. We'll focus on examples where you need to choose the sentences that contain relative clauses.

Instructions: For each set of sentences below, identify which three sentences contain a relative clause.

Set 1:

1. The dog barked loudly at the mailman.
2. The book that I borrowed is very interesting.
3. She enjoys playing the piano.
4. The house where I grew up is now a coffee shop.
5. He went to the store to buy milk.
6. The woman whose purse was stolen reported it to the police.

Answers for Set 1:

• Sentence 2: "The book that I borrowed is very interesting." (Relative pronoun: that; antecedent: book)
• Sentence 4: "The house where I grew up is now a coffee shop." (Relative adverb: where; antecedent: house)
• Sentence 6: "The woman whose purse was stolen reported it to the police." (Relative pronoun: whose; antecedent: woman)

Set 2:

1. I like to drink coffee in the morning.
2. The movie which we saw last night was amazing.
3. She is a talented singer and dancer.
4. The restaurant where they serve sushi is my favorite.
5. They went hiking in the mountains.
6. The student who aced the test is very happy.

Answers for Set 2:

• Sentence 2: "The movie which we saw last night was amazing." (Relative pronoun: which; antecedent: movie)
• Sentence 4: "The restaurant where they serve sushi is my favorite." (Relative adverb: where; antecedent: restaurant)
• Sentence 6: "The student who aced the test is very happy." (Relative pronoun: who; antecedent: student)

Set 3:

1. He likes to read books in his free time.
2. The car that he bought is a convertible.
3. She went to the gym to work out.
4. The city where he lives is very crowded.
5. They enjoy playing soccer in the park.
6. The artist whose paintings are displayed is famous.

Answers for Set 3:

• Sentence 2: "The car that he bought is a convertible." (Relative pronoun: that; antecedent: car)
• Sentence 4: "The city where he lives is very crowded." (Relative adverb: where; antecedent: city)
• Sentence 6: "The artist whose paintings are displayed is famous." (Relative pronoun: whose; antecedent: artist)

Set 4:

1. The bird flew away quickly.
2. The song that she sang was beautiful.
3. He went to the library to study.
4. The beach where we spent our vacation was pristine.
5. They played basketball in the afternoon.
6. The teacher who gave the lecture is an expert.

Answers for Set 4:

• Sentence 2: "The song that she sang was beautiful." (Relative pronoun: that; antecedent: song)
• Sentence 4: "The beach where we spent our vacation was pristine." (Relative adverb: where; antecedent: beach)
• Sentence 6: "The teacher who gave the lecture is an expert." (Relative pronoun: who; antecedent: teacher)

Set 5:

1. She loves to eat ice cream.
2. The computer which I use for work is very fast.
3. He went to the concert last night.
4. The garden where she grows flowers is beautiful.
5. They went swimming in the pool.
6. The chef whose recipes are famous is hosting a show.

Answers for Set 5:

• Sentence 2: "The computer which I use for work is very fast." (Relative pronoun: which; antecedent: computer)
• Sentence 4: "The garden where she grows flowers is beautiful." (Relative adverb: where; antecedent: garden)
• Sentence 6: "The chef whose recipes are famous is hosting a show." (Relative pronoun: whose; antecedent: chef)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While identifying relative clauses, be mindful of these common errors:

• Confusing "that" and "which": Remember, "that" is used for defining relative clauses (no commas), while "which" is generally used for non-defining relative clauses (with commas).
• Incorrect Pronoun Choice: Ensure you use the correct relative pronoun based on the antecedent (who/whom for people, which/that for things).
• Misidentifying the Antecedent: Make sure the relative pronoun or adverb clearly refers to the intended noun or pronoun.
• Ignoring Commas with Non-Defining Clauses: Always set off non-defining relative clauses with commas.
• Thinking Every "Who," "Which," or "That" Introduces a Relative Clause: Sometimes these words can be used in other contexts (e.g., as interrogative pronouns).

Advanced Tips for Mastery

To truly master relative clauses, consider these advanced tips:

• Practice Sentence Combining: Combine simple sentences using relative clauses to create more complex and elegant sentences.
• Analyze Complex Texts: Read articles, books, and other materials, actively identifying and analyzing the use of relative clauses.
• Write and Revise: Practice writing using relative clauses and then revise your work to ensure correct usage and clarity.
• Understand Reduced Relative Clauses: Learn about reduced relative clauses, where the relative pronoun and auxiliary verb are omitted (e.g., "The book being read is interesting" instead of "The book that is being read is interesting").

The Nuances of "That" vs. "Which"

The distinction between "that" and "which" can be tricky, particularly for non-native speakers. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• "That": Generally used in defining (restrictive) relative clauses. It is essential to the meaning of the sentence and is not set off by commas.

  • Example: "The car that I bought last year is now having problems." (Which car? The one I bought last year.)

• "Which": Generally used in non-defining (non-restrictive) relative clauses. It adds extra information and is set off by commas.

  • Example: "My car, which I bought last year, is now having problems." (The information about buying it last year is extra; we already know which car.)

Important Note: In American English, "that" is strongly preferred for defining relative clauses. While "which" can technically be used in defining relative clauses, it's generally best to stick to "that" to avoid confusion.

Relative Clauses with Prepositions

Relative clauses can also include prepositions. The preposition can either come before the relative pronoun (formal) or at the end of the relative clause (more informal).

• Formal: The preposition comes before the relative pronoun (usually "whom" or "which"). This is often used in formal writing.

  • Example: "This is the author to whom I dedicated my book."
  • Example: "The project for which we need funding is crucial."

• Informal: The preposition comes at the end of the relative clause. This is more common in everyday speech and writing.

  • Example: "This is the author that I dedicated my book to."
  • Example: "The project which we need funding for is crucial."

Relative Clauses and Punctuation

Correct punctuation is vital when using relative clauses, especially with non-defining clauses.

• Defining Relative Clauses: No commas are needed.

  • Example: "The student who studies hard usually succeeds."

• Non-Defining Relative Clauses: Always set off by commas.

  • Example: "My brother, who lives in New York, is a lawyer."

• Placement of Commas: Ensure the commas are placed correctly to enclose the entire non-defining relative clause.

  • Incorrect: "My brother who lives in New York, is a lawyer."
  • Correct: "My brother, who lives in New York, is a lawyer."

The Impact of Relative Clauses on Writing Style

Mastering relative clauses can significantly enhance your writing style, adding depth, clarity, and sophistication.

• Adding Detail and Precision: Relative clauses allow you to provide more specific information about nouns and pronouns, making your writing more precise and engaging.
• Creating Complex Sentences: They enable you to combine multiple ideas into a single sentence, creating a more fluid and sophisticated writing style.
• Improving Flow and Coherence: By connecting related ideas, relative clauses can improve the flow and coherence of your writing.
• Avoiding Repetition: They allow you to avoid unnecessary repetition by referring back to nouns and pronouns without having to repeat them.

Conclusion

Understanding and identifying relative clauses is a fundamental skill in English grammar. By mastering the concepts of relative pronouns and adverbs, defining and non-defining clauses, and proper punctuation, you can significantly improve your reading comprehension and writing abilities. The ability to accurately identify these clauses not only enhances your grammatical accuracy but also allows you to appreciate the nuances and complexities of the English language. Continue practicing, analyzing, and applying these principles, and you'll find that relative clauses become a powerful tool in your communication arsenal. By carefully choosing the correct sentences that contain relative clauses, you are honing your skills and deepening your understanding of sentence structure.