What is the difference between a subordinate clause and a relative clause?
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Lucas Wilson
Works at the International Committee of the Red Cross, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
As a language expert with a deep understanding of English grammar, I'm here to clarify the nuances between subordinate clauses and relative clauses. These are two types of clauses that are often confused due to their similarities, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.
Subordinate Clauses are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. They are subordinate to an independent clause and typically begin with subordinating conjunctions such as "although," "because," "since," "if," "unless," "when," "while," etc. These clauses provide additional information, but they do not make complete sense on their own. For example, in the sentence "After the rain stopped, we went for a walk," "After the rain stopped" is a subordinate clause.
Relative Clauses, on the other hand, are a type of subordinate clause that function as adjectives. They are used to give more information about a noun or a pronoun that comes before the clause. Relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns like "who," "whom," "whose," "which," and "that." They are essential to the meaning of the sentence and provide a closer relationship to the noun they modify. For instance, in the sentence "The man who lives next door is a doctor," "who lives next door" is a relative clause modifying "the man."
Here are some key differences between the two:
1. Function: Subordinate clauses can function as adverbial clauses (providing circumstances, reasons, etc.), noun clauses (as the object of a verb or preposition), or adjective clauses (describing a noun). Relative clauses specifically function as adjectives, modifying a noun or pronoun.
2. Completeness: Subordinate clauses cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, while the main clause they are attached to can. Relative clauses, being a type of subordinate clause, also cannot stand alone.
3. Use of Pronouns: Relative clauses use relative pronouns to connect the clause to the noun it modifies. Subordinate clauses use subordinating conjunctions for the same purpose but serve different functions.
4. Position in the Sentence: Relative clauses always immediately follow the noun or pronoun they modify. Subordinate clauses can appear in various positions within a sentence, depending on the conjunction used.
5. Removal from the Sentence: If you remove a relative clause from a sentence, the remaining sentence still makes sense but loses specific information about the noun. Removing a subordinate clause may change the meaning of the sentence significantly or make it incomplete.
6. Punctuation: Relative clauses are not set off by commas unless they are non-restrictive (provide additional, non-essential information). Subordinate clauses are also not typically set off by commas unless they are parenthetical expressions.
To illustrate with examples:
- Subordinate Clause (Adverbial): "Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk." (The subordinate clause "Although it was raining" provides a reason.)
- Subordinate Clause (Noun Clause): "I believe that she will succeed." (The subordinate clause "that she will succeed" serves as the object of the verb "believe.")
- Relative Clause (Restrictive): "The book that I read was fascinating." (The relative clause "that I read" is restrictive, providing essential information about which book is being discussed.)
- Relative Clause (Non-restrictive): "My brother, who is a doctor, lives in Canada." (The relative clause "who is a doctor" is non-restrictive, adding extra information about the brother but not essential to identifying him. Note the use of commas around the clause.)
Understanding the role and function of each clause in a sentence is crucial for clear and effective communication. Both subordinate and relative clauses add depth and complexity to language, allowing for more detailed and nuanced expression.
Subordinate Clauses are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. They are subordinate to an independent clause and typically begin with subordinating conjunctions such as "although," "because," "since," "if," "unless," "when," "while," etc. These clauses provide additional information, but they do not make complete sense on their own. For example, in the sentence "After the rain stopped, we went for a walk," "After the rain stopped" is a subordinate clause.
Relative Clauses, on the other hand, are a type of subordinate clause that function as adjectives. They are used to give more information about a noun or a pronoun that comes before the clause. Relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns like "who," "whom," "whose," "which," and "that." They are essential to the meaning of the sentence and provide a closer relationship to the noun they modify. For instance, in the sentence "The man who lives next door is a doctor," "who lives next door" is a relative clause modifying "the man."
Here are some key differences between the two:
1. Function: Subordinate clauses can function as adverbial clauses (providing circumstances, reasons, etc.), noun clauses (as the object of a verb or preposition), or adjective clauses (describing a noun). Relative clauses specifically function as adjectives, modifying a noun or pronoun.
2. Completeness: Subordinate clauses cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, while the main clause they are attached to can. Relative clauses, being a type of subordinate clause, also cannot stand alone.
3. Use of Pronouns: Relative clauses use relative pronouns to connect the clause to the noun it modifies. Subordinate clauses use subordinating conjunctions for the same purpose but serve different functions.
4. Position in the Sentence: Relative clauses always immediately follow the noun or pronoun they modify. Subordinate clauses can appear in various positions within a sentence, depending on the conjunction used.
5. Removal from the Sentence: If you remove a relative clause from a sentence, the remaining sentence still makes sense but loses specific information about the noun. Removing a subordinate clause may change the meaning of the sentence significantly or make it incomplete.
6. Punctuation: Relative clauses are not set off by commas unless they are non-restrictive (provide additional, non-essential information). Subordinate clauses are also not typically set off by commas unless they are parenthetical expressions.
To illustrate with examples:
- Subordinate Clause (Adverbial): "Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk." (The subordinate clause "Although it was raining" provides a reason.)
- Subordinate Clause (Noun Clause): "I believe that she will succeed." (The subordinate clause "that she will succeed" serves as the object of the verb "believe.")
- Relative Clause (Restrictive): "The book that I read was fascinating." (The relative clause "that I read" is restrictive, providing essential information about which book is being discussed.)
- Relative Clause (Non-restrictive): "My brother, who is a doctor, lives in Canada." (The relative clause "who is a doctor" is non-restrictive, adding extra information about the brother but not essential to identifying him. Note the use of commas around the clause.)
Understanding the role and function of each clause in a sentence is crucial for clear and effective communication. Both subordinate and relative clauses add depth and complexity to language, allowing for more detailed and nuanced expression.
2024-05-13 17:22:33
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Works at the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Lives in Lyon, France.
A relative clause is a specific type of subordinate clause that adapts, describes or modifies a noun. Relative clauses add information to sentences by using a relative pronoun such as who, that or which. The relative clause is used to add information about the noun, so it must be 'related' to the noun.
2023-06-12 02:37:23
Isabella Cook
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
A relative clause is a specific type of subordinate clause that adapts, describes or modifies a noun. Relative clauses add information to sentences by using a relative pronoun such as who, that or which. The relative clause is used to add information about the noun, so it must be 'related' to the noun.
