What kind of clause is this

That is used to refer to either a person or thing. Which is used to refer to anything except a person. Restrictive relative clauses are sometimes called defining relative clauses or identifying relative clauses.

Similarly, non-restrictive relative clauses are called non-defining or non-identifying relative clauses and is preceded by a pause in speech or a comma in writing. Noun Clauses: It is a dependent clause that works as a noun. Noun clauses can act as a subject, direct or indirect objects or predicate nominatives. Some examples are as under Noun clauses often begin with pronouns or other words.

That particular word usually has a grammatical function in the sentence. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. A conditional clause is one that usually begins with if or unless and describes something that is possible or probable :. A relative clause is one connected to a main clause by a word such as which , that , whom , whose , when , where, or who :.

Have you ever wondered about when to use that and when to use which or who in this type of sentence? In fact, for much of the time that is interchangeable with either of these words. When referring to something, rather than someone, that tends to be the usual choice in everyday writing and conversation in British English. However, there is one main case when you should not use that to introduce a relative clause.

This is related to the fact that there are two types of relative clause: a restrictive relative clause and a non-restrictive relative clause. A restrictive relative clause can be introduced by that , which , whose , who , or whom. You should not place a comma in front of a restrictive relative clause:.

A non-restrictive relative clause also called a non-defining relative clause provides extra information that could be left out without affecting the meaning or structure of the sentence. Non-restrictive relative clauses are normally introduced by which , whose , who , or whom, but never by that. My dog Floyd , who eats too much pizza , has developed pepperoni breath. You really do not want to know the ingredients in Aunt Nancy's stew. If we replace the noun ingredients with a clause, we have a noun clause :.

You really do not want to know what Aunt Nancy adds to her stew. Simmons All Rights Reserved. The Clause Recognize a clause when you find one. Here are examples: Lazy students whine. Cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter. My dog loves pizza crusts. Read these revisions: Whenever lazy students whine , Professor Russell throws chalk erasers at their heads.

Adjective Clause An adjective clause will begin with a relative pronoun such as who , whom , whose , which , or that or a relative adverb when , where , or why.

Read these revisions: The lazy students whom Professor Russell hit in the head with a chalk eraser soon learned to keep their complaints to themselves. Read this example: A dog that eats too much pizza will soon develop pepperoni breath. Read this revision: My dog Floyd , who eats too much pizza , has developed pepperoni breath.