Relative clauses

Relative clauses are like bridges that connect two related ideas in a single, flowing sentence. Instead of writing choppy, separate sentences, you can use relative clauses to create smooth, sophisticated writing that shows clear relationships between your ideas.

Relative clauses are dependent clauses that provide additional information about a noun in the main sentence. They begin with relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) or relative adverbs (where, when, why) and cannot stand alone as complete sentences.

Defining Relative Clauses (Essential Information) These clauses are crucial to understanding which person or thing you're talking about:

Non-defining Relative Clauses (Extra Information) These add bonus details but aren't essential to identify the noun:

Creates More Sophisticated Writing Instead of writing like a young child with simple, disconnected sentences, you can create the complex, flowing prose expected in academic and professional writing.

Improves Clarity and Efficiency Relative clauses help you pack more information into fewer sentences while maintaining clarity and showing relationships between ideas.

Essential for Advanced Communication You encounter relative clauses constantly in everything you read, from textbooks to news articles to literature. Understanding them improves both your reading comprehension and writing ability.