Academic Writing (V): Relative Clause. ※ Definition: R Clause functions as an R Clause functions as an adjective and modifies a adjective and modifies

Academic Writing (V): RAcademic Writing (V): Relative Clause elative Clause

※※Definition:Definition:

R Clause functions as an R Clause functions as an

adjective and modifies a adjective and modifies a

noun or a pronoun. noun or a pronoun.

Also called Also called adjective adjective

clausesclauses. .

※※A relative clause begins with a RA relative clause begins with a Relative Pronoun and Adverb: elative Pronoun and Adverb:

※※Position of Relative Clauses:Position of Relative Clauses:

Place a relative clause after its antecedent and aPlace a relative clause after its antecedent and as close to it as possible s close to it as possible to avoid confusionto avoid confusion..

Ex. He left the gift in his friend’s car that he had Ex. He left the gift in his friend’s car that he had

just bought.just bought.

(Occasionally, a prepositional phrase comes bet(Occasionally, a prepositional phrase comes between the antecedent and the RC)ween the antecedent and the RC)

Ex. Try writing a sentence Ex. Try writing a sentence of your ownof your own that that

contains a relative clause. contains a relative clause.

※※Verb Agreement in Relative ClauVerb Agreement in Relative Clauses:ses:

Ex. People Ex. People who work part-timewho work part-time

usually usually receivereceive no benefits. no benefits.

※※Punctuation of Relative Clauses: Punctuation of Relative Clauses: (restrictive and nonrestrictive)(restrictive and nonrestrictive)

(Whether or not the added clause (Whether or not the added clause affectsaffects the m the meaning of the entire sentence.)eaning of the entire sentence.)R: necessary because it identifies its antecedent R: necessary because it identifies its antecedent

for the reader.for the reader.The professor The professor who teaches my biology classwho teaches my biology class won a Nobel Prize two years ago.won a Nobel Prize two years ago.N: not necessary to identify its antecedent; N: not necessary to identify its antecedent;

merely offers merely offers additionaladditional information. information.Professor Jones, Professor Jones, who teaches my biology claswho teaches my biology classs, won a Nobel Prize two years ago. , won a Nobel Prize two years ago.

※※Relative Pronouns as subjects: SRelative Pronouns as subjects: Subject Pattern Relative Clauses ubject Pattern Relative Clauses

※※More Examples: More Examples:

※※Test Yourselves: (determine the iTest Yourselves: (determine the importance of the given information)mportance of the given information)

1. John Fish explained the complex structure of DNA. He is a research 1. John Fish explained the complex structure of DNA. He is a research chemist.chemist.

2. While he lectured, he showed us a slide. The slide diagrammed the 2. While he lectured, he showed us a slide. The slide diagrammed the double helix structure of DNA.double helix structure of DNA.

3. Words in English are often difficult for foreigners to pronounce. They 3. Words in English are often difficult for foreigners to pronounce. They begin with the consonants begin with the consonants thth..

4. Foreigners also have difficulty with English spelling. English spelling is 4. Foreigners also have difficulty with English spelling. English spelling is not always consistent with its pronunciation.not always consistent with its pronunciation.

5. Anyone must have a logical mind. He or she wants to be a computer 5. Anyone must have a logical mind. He or she wants to be a computer programmer.programmer.

6. Fans quickly lose interest in a sports team. The team loses game after 6. Fans quickly lose interest in a sports team. The team loses game after game. game.

※※Relative Pronouns as Objects:Relative Pronouns as Objects:

※※More Examples More Examples

※※Test Yourselves:Test Yourselves:

1. Albert Einstein was a high school dropout. The world recognizes 1. Albert Einstein was a high school dropout. The world recognizes him as a genius.him as a genius.

2. As a young boy, Einstein had trouble in elementary and high 2. As a young boy, Einstein had trouble in elementary and high school. He attended these schools in Germany.school. He attended these schools in Germany.

3. He did poorly in subjects. He disliked them.3. He did poorly in subjects. He disliked them.

4. The only subjects were mathematics and physics. He loved them.4. The only subjects were mathematics and physics. He loved them.

5. He developed theories. We use theories to help us understand 5. He developed theories. We use theories to help us understand the nature of the universe.the nature of the universe.

6. Einstein is best known for his General Theory of Relativity. He 6. Einstein is best known for his General Theory of Relativity. He began to develop this theory while living in Switzerland. began to develop this theory while living in Switzerland.

※※Possessive Relative Clauses: Possessive Relative Clauses:

※※More Examples: More Examples:


1. First National Bank tries to attract female 1. First National Bank tries to attract female customers. The bank’s president is a woman.customers. The bank’s president is a woman.

2. Companies conduct market research to 2. Companies conduct market research to discover trends among consumers. discover trends among consumers. Consumers’ tastes change rapidly.Consumers’ tastes change rapidly.

3. A manufacturer can offer lower prices. Its 3. A manufacturer can offer lower prices. Its costs are lower because of mass production. costs are lower because of mass production.

※※Possessive Relative Clause as thPossessive Relative Clause as the Object Pattern e Object Pattern


Ex. Maya Angelou, whose poetry we have been reading Ex. Maya Angelou, whose poetry we have been reading in our English class, is one of America’s most famouin our English class, is one of America’s most famou

s s female poets.female poets.

1. William Shakespeare lived and wrote 400 years ago. 1. William Shakespeare lived and wrote 400 years ago. High school students struggle to understand his High school students struggle to understand his English.English.

2. Nike is a sporting goods company. Most people 2. Nike is a sporting goods company. Most people recognize the company’s “swoosh” symbol.recognize the company’s “swoosh” symbol.

3. The actress has starred in several films. I can’t 3. The actress has starred in several films. I can’t remember her name. remember her name.

※※Relative Pronouns as Objects of Relative Pronouns as Objects of Prepositions:Prepositions:

(Formal: prepositions comes before the rel(Formal: prepositions comes before the relative pronoun; vice versa) ative pronoun; vice versa)



1. Finding reasonably priced housing in big cities is a problem. Many young1. Finding reasonably priced housing in big cities is a problem. Many young People are concerned People are concerned about the problemabout the problem..

2. Affordable apartments are scarce. Young people would like to live 2. Affordable apartments are scarce. Young people would like to live in in them.them.

3. Of course, many young people share apartments, but they have to 3. Of course, many young people share apartments, but they have to choose roommates carefully. They will share living space and expenses choose roommates carefully. They will share living space and expenses with these roommateswith these roommates..

4. In many countries, young people continue to live with their parents in the 4. In many countries, young people continue to live with their parents in the same house. They grew up same house. They grew up in that housein that house..

5. In the United States, young people don’t want to live with their parents. 5. In the United States, young people don’t want to live with their parents. They typically declare their independence They typically declare their independence from their parentsfrom their parents at age at age eighteen. eighteen.

※※Relative Pronouns in Phrases of Relative Pronouns in Phrases of Quantity and QualityQuantity and Quality

Quantity: some of which, one of whom, all Quantity: some of which, one of whom, all of whom, each of which, etc.of whom, each of which, etc.

Quality: the best of which, the most Quality: the best of which, the most important of whom, the more important of whom, the more economical of which, the loveliest economical of which, the loveliest of which, etc.of which, etc.

(They are always non-restrictive) (They are always non-restrictive)

※ ※ Main Structure: The object Main Structure: The object always follows the preposition always follows the preposition

ofof. .



1. There is a chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The most 1. There is a chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The most charming of the islands is Puerto Rico, “The Land Enchantment.”charming of the islands is Puerto Rico, “The Land Enchantment.”

2. Puerto Rico attracts thousands of visitors. Many of them come for 2. Puerto Rico attracts thousands of visitors. Many of them come for the sunny weather, the beautiful beaches, and the Spanish the sunny weather, the beautiful beaches, and the Spanish atmosphere.atmosphere.

3. Puerto Rico’s economy is growing. The most important sector of 3. Puerto Rico’s economy is growing. The most important sector of the economy is clothing manufacturing.the economy is clothing manufacturing.

4. Puerto Ricans have strong ties to the United States. All of them 4. Puerto Ricans have strong ties to the United States. All of them are U.S. citizens.are U.S. citizens.

5. Puerto Rico has three political parties. One of them favors Puerto 5. Puerto Rico has three political parties. One of them favors Puerto Rico’s becoming a state. Rico’s becoming a state.

※※Adverbial Relative Clauses:Adverbial Relative Clauses:

when & where; replace entire prepositional when & where; replace entire prepositional phrase, such as phrase, such as on Sundayon Sunday or or in the cityin the city. .



1. Germany had been divided into two countries 1. Germany had been divided into two countries since 1945. it was defeated in World War II in since 1945. it was defeated in World War II in 1945.1945.

2. 1989 was the year. The Berlin Wall was torn 2. 1989 was the year. The Berlin Wall was torn down in that year.down in that year.

3. In 1990, Germany became one country again. 3. In 1990, Germany became one country again. East and West Germany were united in 1990.East and West Germany were united in 1990.

4. There was anxiety in places. People fear 4. There was anxiety in places. People fear losing their jobs in some places. losing their jobs in some places.

※※Review: Review:

※※Editing Practices: Editing Practices:

※※Assignment: Assignment:

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Academic Writing (V): Relative Clause. ※ Definition: R Clause functions as an R Clause functions as an adjective and modifies a adjective and modifies