Lecture 14Relative clause

1. Non-restrictive relative clauses

2. Choice of relative words

3. Restrictive relative clause

A restrictive clause is closely related to the head. It is not separated from the head by a break in intonation, or by a comma in writing.This kind of relative clause usually occurs in the following contexts: When the noun head takes a generic indefinite article or a cataphoric definite article, the relative clause that follows is generally a restrictive clause, e.g.:She was a woman who must be treated decently.This is the car I bought last year.

It is not closely connected with the head. It is generally separated from the head by a clear break in speech or by a comma in writing.

Non-restrictive clauses are usually introduced by wh-words.It should be noticed that to introduce a non-restrictive clause, it is not absolutely impermissible to use the relative that, but that in this context is not so common as a wh-word, e.g.:The chairman, who spoke first, sat on my right.His speech, which bored everyone, went on and on.

1) Choice of relative pronouns in restrictive clausesThis section is primarily concerned with the choice

of relative pronouns in restrictive clauses functioning as subject, object and prepositional complementation.

Watch closely the following examples:He is the man who lives next door to us.Where is the man I saw this morning?These are the boys I went to school with.

2) Some other problems of usage concerning choiceof relative pronouns in restrictive clauses there are some other problems of usage worthy of note.Watch closely the following examples:

He still talks like the man (that ) he was ten years ago.There were some students at the party whom I must shun.He talked brilliantly about the man and the books that interested him.All that live must die.Any boy that wants to succeed must work hard.Newton was one of the greatest men that ever lived.

ConclusionRelative clauses may be restrictive or non-

restrictive. A restrictive relative clause gives essential information about the meaning of the antecedent. If forms an integral part of the noun phrase, without which the head cannot be identified as the specific object. A non-restrictive relative clause does not restrict the referential meaning of the antecedent. If it is taken away, the antecedent still refers to the same person or thing.

Assignment1. Exercise 33ABCD

2. Remember the rules and practice more