relative clause
noun[C]
languagespecializeduk/ˌrel.ə.tɪv ˈklɔːz/us/ˌrel.ə.t̬ɪv ˈklɑːz/partof asentencethat cannotexistindependentlyanddescribesanounthat comes before it in themainpartof thesentence:
关系从句In thesentence"The woman who Imetwaswearingabrownhat", "who Imet" is arelativeclause.在句子 The woman whom I met was wearing a brown hat 中，who I met 是个关系从句。
- In thesentence'Therestaurantthat we went to hasclosed', 'that we went to' is arelativeclause.
- In thesentence'The man that Diana wasspeakingto was my ex-boss', the phrase 'that Diane wasspeakingto' is arelativeclause.
Linguistics: sentences & expressions
- backchannel
- clause
- coin
- complex sentence
- compound sentence
- declarative sentence
- defining
- dicta
- dictum
- epigram
- epigrammatic
- idiom
- jawbreaker
- motto
- phrase
- proverbial
- sentence
- slogan
- soundbite
- tail
Grammar
Relative clauses
Relative clauses give us more information about someone or something. We can use relative clauses to combine clauses without repeating information.…Types of relative clause
There are two types of relative clause: one type refers to a noun or noun phrase (these are defining and non-defining relative clauses) and the other type refers to a whole sentence or clause, especially in speaking.…Relative clauses: defining and non-defining
We use defining relative clauses to give essential information about someone or something – information that we need in order to understand what or who is being referred to. A defining relative clause usually comes immediately after the noun it describes.…Defining relative clauses
We use defining relative clauses to give essential information about someone or something – information that we need in order to understand what or who is being referred to. A defining relative clause usually comes immediately after the noun it describes.…Non-defining relative clauses
We use non-defining relative clauses to give extra information about the person or thing. It is not necessary information. We don’t need it to understand who or what is being referred to.…Defining or non-defining relative clauses?
Sometimes defining and non-defining relative clauses can look very similar but have different meanings.…Relative clauses referring to a whole sentence
Some relative clauses refer to a whole clause, a whole sentence, or a longer stretch of language. We always use which to introduce these clauses.…