relative clause
Noun-describing dependent clause
A relative clause is a clause that modifies a noun, typically introduced by words like *who*, *which*, *that*, or *whose*: The book that I borrowed is overdue.
Essential relative clauses identify which thing is meant; nonessential ones add extra information and are set off by commas: My brother, who lives in Boston, is visiting.
Person-asking pronoun
- whomObjective form of who
- whosePossessive interrogative pronoun
- whichInterrogative for selection
- thatThe other one
where · when · whereby · wherein · whereupon · pronoun · antecedent · referent
Specifying exact meaning
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- identifyingDetermining what something is
- specifyingStating precisely
- limitingPlacing restrictions upon
narrowing · bound · integrated · specificity · determinate · particularizing
Dependent grammatical unit
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- grammaticalFollowing language rules
- integrationCombining into a whole
Change partially
- adjectiveNoun-describing word type
- adjectivalOf describing words
- noun modifierWord qualifying a noun
- attributiveDirectly preceding noun modified
qualify · describe · specify · characterize · identify · define · determine · information
Not required or needed
- parentheticalSet off by punctuation
- commasPunctuation for pauses
- supplementaryServing to complete
- appositiveRenaming grammatical element
aside · descriptive · optional · set off · incidental · explanatory · elaborating
who
Person-asking pronoun
that · where · when · whereby · wherein · whereupon · pronoun · antecedent · referent · connective
defining
Specifying exact meaning
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- identifyingDetermining what something is
- specifyingStating precisely
limiting · narrowing · bound · integrated · specificity · determinate · particularizing
subclause
Dependent grammatical unit
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- grammaticalFollowing language rules
modify
Change partially
- adjectiveNoun-describing word type
- adjectivalOf describing words
- noun modifierWord qualifying a noun
attributive · qualify · describe · specify · characterize · identify · define · determine · information · detail
nonessential
Not required or needed
- parentheticalSet off by punctuation
- commasPunctuation for pauses
- supplementaryServing to complete
appositive · aside · descriptive · optional · set off · incidental · explanatory · elaborating
related, relation, relate, relationship, relative, clause, relations, relatively, relationships