OO. Forming relative clauses
Combine the sentences using a relative clause. Use relative pronouns only where necessary. Note that you have to use commas in some of the sentences.
A holiday in Scotland
1.We spent our holiday in Scotland last year. Scotland is in the north of Great Britain.
Last year, we spent our holiday in Scotland, which is in the north of Great Britain.
Relative pronoun = which
Antecedent = Scotland (antecedent = the word a relative pronoun replaces).
Relative clause = which is in the north of Great Britain.
This is a descriptive or non-restrictive clause and it is set off from its antecedent Scotland by a comma
This clause functions as an adjective clause because it describes Scotland. It is also a post-modifier.
2. People live in Scotland. They are called Scots.
People who live in Scotland are called Scots.
Relative pronoun = who
Antecedent = People
Relative clause = who live in Scotland
This is a restrictive clause because the information it contains is essential to the meaning of the sentence. It is not set off with commas.
This clause functions as an adjective clause because it gives essential information about “people.” It is also a post-modifier.
3. We first went to Edinburgh. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.
We first went to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.
In this example, a relative clause is not necessary.
the capital of Scotland = an appositive phrase. It identifies the noun phrase that precedes it.
Here, it is set off by a comma because it is descriptive and not restrictive, as it follows a proper noun.
4.Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh. He wrote the Sherlock Holmes stories.
Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote the Sherlock Holmes stories, was born in Edinburgh.
Relative pronoun = who
Antecedent = Arthur Conan Doyle
Relative clause = who wrote the Sherlock Holmes stories
This is a non-restrictive clause because the information is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. It is set off from its antecedent by commas. It is also a post-modifier of the noun phrase Arthur Conan Doyle, which is a proper noun.
5. Then we visited a lake. It is in the Highlands.
Then we visited a lake in the Highlands.
Here we have an adjective phrase “in the Highlands,” which is a post-modifier of the noun “lake.” It is a restrictive phrase because it provides information essential to the meaning of the sentence.
6. Loch Ness is 37 km long. People know it for its friendly monster.
Loch Ness, which people know for its friendly monster, is 37 km long.
Relative pronoun = which
Antecedent = Loch Ness
Relative clause = which people know for its friendly monster.
This is a non-restrictive clause because the information is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Here it is set off by commas. It is also a post-modifier of the noun phrase, Loch Ness, which is a proper noun.
7. There we met an old man. He told us that he had seen Nessie.
There we met an old man who told us that he had seen Nessie.
Relative pronoun = who
Antecedent = an old man
Relative clause = who told us that he had seen Nessie.
This is a restrictive clause that provides information essential to the meaning of the sentence. It is not set off by commas. It is also an adjective clause and a post-modifier.
8. We then travelled to a mountain. The mountain is near the town of Fort William.
We then travelled to a mountain near the town of Fort William.
Here, a relative clause is not necessary. “A mountain” is followed by an adjective phrase, the post-modifier “near the town of Fort William,” which is not set off by a comma because it provides essential information to the sentence.
9. The mountain is the highest mountain in Great Britain. It is called Ben Nevis.
The mountain, called Ben Nevis, is the highest mountain in Great Britain.
Here, a relative clause is not necessary. “The mountain” (we know which mountain because it was identified in the previous sentence 8), is followed by an adjective phrase which is also a post-modifier. The information in the adjective phrase is non-restrictive.
10. I sent you a postcard. It was written on the summit of Ben Nevis.
I sent you a postcard written on the summit of Ben Nevis.
Here, a relative clause is not necessary. “A postcard” is followed by an adjective phrase which is also a post-modifier.
We could also write:
I went you a postcard that I wrote on the summit of Ben Nevis.
Relative pronoun = that
Antecedent = a postcard
Relative clause = that I wrote on the summit of Ben Nevis.
This is a restrictive clause that provides information essential to the meaning of the sentence. It is also an adjective clause and a post-modifier of “postcard.”
Just as relative clauses function as adjective post-modifiers, other kinds of dependent clauses can function as noun clauses or adverb clauses:
NOUN CLAUSES:
We know that the exam will be hard.
What do we know?
“that the exam will be hard”
Here, the entire clause functions as the direct object of the sentence: S – V – dO.
We could substitute the relative pronoun “that” for the entire clause: We know that.
ADVERB CLAUSES: answer the same questions concerning time, place, means, cause, result, etc. as adverbs.
We will call you as soon as we arrive.
When will you call me? “as soon as we arrive” : here a clause with a subject and a verb – we arrive – answers the question “when?” It is an adverb clause beginning with the subordinating conjunction “as soon as.”
We helped him so that he could pass his exam. Here is another adverb clause, beginning with the subordinating conjunction “so that”.