Non-defining Relative Clauses

Contents Page

1.        Introduction        3

2.        Clause        4

2.1.        Defining relative clauses        4

2.2.        Non-defining Relative Clauses        5

2.3. Relative adverbs and relative pronouns        6

2.3.1.  Where, when and why        6

2.3.2.  Whose        6

2.3.3. Who, what, whatever, whoever, whichever        7

3.        Prepositions in relative clauses        7

4.        Conclusion        8

5.        Bibliography        9

1. Introduction

Actually in English if we are intended to show the speaker or the reader the thing or person that is being referred, relative clauses is the recommended way, because they can specify and add extra information.

There are many types of relative clauses; however, the pair brought two types which will be described within this assignment about their uses and structure. It will be also discussed about relative pronouns and relative adverbs which are the words that starts the new clause and are the responsible for pointing out the object and people being referred.

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate how can be shown the thing or person which is being talked about in a discourse following the formal rules.

The present pair task is divided into three parts: where in the first we find a brief introduction where is briefly introduced the whole work, after that is found the development where the group discusses deeply the topics stated above. In the final stage the group will bring a conclusion where we consolidate the topic and will be give our final view.

1. Clause

A clause is a group of grammatically related words that does contain a main verb. Some clauses can stand alone as a complete sentence and such clauses are named main or independent clauses, (MADDOX, 2009)

A relative clause gives more information about someone or something referred to in a main clause.

1. Defining relative clauses

HEWINGS (1999) argues that these clauses are used to specify which person or thing we mean, or which type of person or thing we mean. Relative clauses begin with a relative pronoun: a wh- (who, which, etc.) or that. However, sometimes we omit the wh-word and use a zero relative pronoun

E.g.: The thief (who) was caught has stolen chickens.

E.g.: Patricia was the girl (that) Mutemba was talking about.

HEWINGS (1999: 142) points out that when we use a defining relative clause, the relative pronoun can be the subject (the verb follows the relative pronoun) or the object of the clause (there is a noun (or pronoun) between the relative pronoun and the verb in the relative clause).

In the following sentences the relative pronoun is the subject: e.g.: We have a friend who/that plays the piano. In the following sentences the relative pronoun is the object, In this case, we can use a zero relative pronoun: e.g.:  He showed me the rocks (which/that) he had brought back from Australia, (HEWINGS, 1999).

The group understood that subjects or objects can't be added to the relative clause in addition to the relative pronoun because we will have an ill-formed sentence due to double subject for instance:

E.g.: The man who gave me the book was the librarian, (not The man who he gave me...)

1.  Non-defining Relative Clauses

Some relative clauses are used to add extra information about a noun, but this information is not necessary to explain which person or thing we mean. These are called non-defining relative clauses, we don't use them often in everyday speech, but they occur frequently in written English. (HEWINGS, 1999:143)

We put a comma between the noun and a non-defining relative clause, and another comma at the end of this clause if it is not. In a non-defining relative clause cannot be used zero relative pronouns, (MARTINET, 1986:78).

E.g.: Samora Machel, who was the first president of Mozambique, was born in Gaza. E.g.: The computer, that I bought, has crashed.

MARTINET (1986:79) states that when we use a non-defining relative clause to add information about a person or people we use who as the subject of the clause for instance e.g.: The first headmaster was Mr. Sabão, who gave a new image to our school.

We use who or whom as the object of the clause, although whom is more formal and rarely used in spoken English, In fact in the group’s concern if we want to sound more formal better to use the pronoun whom.

E.g.: Mr. Bow, whom I met at the airport, has launched 3 songs last month

When we use a non-defining relative clause to add information about a thing or group of things, we use which as the subject or object of the clause, we can also use whose in a non-defining relative clause, ((HEWINGS, 1999:142).

E.g.: The methods, which are used in universities to teach, are efficient

E.g.: Reis, whose parents are both teachers, won first prize in the competition.

 HEWINGS (1999) states that when we want to add information about the whole or a part of a particular number of things or people we can use a non-defining relative clause with of which or of whom after words such as all, both, each, many, most, neither, none, part, some, a number (one, two, etc.; the first, the second, etc.; half, a third, etc.) and superlatives (the best, the biggest, etc.):

E.g.: Cyclones has destroyed many houses, most of which were built a long time ago.

E.g.: The President has made many visits to Licuar, the most recent of which began today.

2.3. Relative adverbs and relative pronouns

2.3.1. Where, when and why 

The following adverbs can be used to join sentences or clauses. They replace the more formal structure of preposition + which relative clause, (HUGHES, 1995).

E.g.: That’s the restaurant where we first met for the first time. (or ...the place at/in which we...)

E.g.: Do you know the date when we have to submit the first essay? (or ...the date on/by which we have to submit the first essay?)