2. The Relative Clause - Definition A relative clause adds information about someone or something referred to in a main clause. The relative clause connects with the main clause by using relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, whomever, and that. Example: The womanwholives next door is coming for dinner tonight.
3. The Defining Relative Clause and the Relative Pronouns A defining relative clause is used to specify which person or thing we are referring to, or which kindof person or thing we mean. Example: The man who was here this morning is my uncle. The relative clause should be as close as possible to the noun or pronoun it is referring to. Example: Her baby was the one whowas crying the most this morning. There is no comma between the noun and a defining relative clause. Example: We went to see the movie which/that she recommended but it was sold out.
4. Reduced Relative Clauses(when to delete the relative pronoun) When they are followed by a prepositional phrase: A. The woman who lives upstairs is my mother. The woman upstairs is my mother. B. The apple that is on the table is mine. The apple on the table is mine. When the main verb in the relative clause is progressive: A. The girl who is dancing in the patio is my sister. The girl dancing in the patio is my sister.
5. Reduced Relative Clauses(when to delete the relative pronoun) They are followed by an adjective: The girl who is crying in the bedroom is my sister. The girl crying in the bedroom is my sister. If there is a new subject and verb following it: This is the house that Jack built. This is the house Jack built.
6. Reduced Relative Clauses(when not to delete the relative pronoun) When it is followed by a verb other than be: The man who bakes cookies is my uncle. The man bakes cookies is my uncle. Never delete the relative pronoun whose: The man whose car broke down walked to the gas station. The man car broke down walked to the gas station.
