Relative Clauses & Reduced Relative Clauses

Summary

This lesson explains relative clauses and reduced relative clauses. It covers the definition and examples of relative clauses using pronouns like 'who', 'that', and 'which' to describe people and things. The video also introduces reduced relative clauses, which shorten sentences by omitting the relative pronoun and modifying the verb (e.g., adding 'ing', using past participles, or inserting 'being'). Through clear examples, the lesson demonstrates how to form these clauses and provides exercises for practice. By the end, students should be able to identify and create both relative and reduced relative clauses with confidence.

Takeaways

• 😀 A relative clause provides more information about a noun and begins with relative pronouns like 'who', 'that', or 'which'.
• 😀 Relative clauses follow immediately after the noun they describe in a sentence and cannot stand alone as complete sentences.
• 😀 'Who' is used for people, while 'that' and 'which' are used for things in relative clauses.
• 😀 A relative clause is a dependent clause and needs an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
• 😀 Reduced relative clauses are shorter versions of relative clauses, formed to avoid repetitive relative pronouns.
• 😀 The first way to reduce a relative clause is by removing the relative pronoun and changing the verb to the progressive form by adding '-ing'.
• 😀 The second way to reduce a relative clause is by removing the relative pronoun and using the past participle form of the verb (adding '-ed' or '-en').
• 😀 The third way to reduce a relative clause is by removing the relative pronoun and adding 'being' in front of the past participle verb.
• 😀 Reduced relative clauses help make sentences more concise and are useful in avoiding overuse of relative pronouns.
• 😀 Understanding relative clauses and reduced relative clauses is important for making sentences more informative and varied in English.

Q & A

What is a relative clause?

A relative clause is a part of a sentence that provides more information about a noun. It begins with a relative pronoun such as 'who,' 'that,' or 'which.'

What is the function of the relative pronoun in a relative clause?

The relative pronoun, such as 'who,' 'that,' or 'which,' connects the relative clause to the noun it describes, providing more details about that noun.

What is the difference between 'who,' 'that,' and 'which' in relative clauses?

'Who' is used for people, 'that' and 'which' are used for things. For example, 'the girl who has red hair' and 'the ice-cream that was left on the table.'

Can a relative clause stand alone as a sentence?

No, a relative clause is a dependent clause and cannot stand alone. It needs an independent clause to form a complete sentence.

In the sentence 'We drove past my old school, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary,' what is the relative clause?

The relative clause is 'which is celebrating its 100th anniversary,' as it provides more information about the noun 'school.'

What is a reduced relative clause?

A reduced relative clause is a shortened version of a regular relative clause, where the relative pronoun and auxiliary verbs are omitted, and the clause becomes more condensed.

How do you form a reduced relative clause when the verb is in the progressive form?

You drop the relative pronoun and add '-ing' to the verb. For example, 'People who live in the Middle East' becomes 'People living in the Middle East.'

What happens in a reduced relative clause when the verb is in the past participle form?

The relative pronoun is dropped, and if the verb is already in the past participle form, it stays the same. For example, 'The song that was sung' becomes 'The song sung.'

How do you create a reduced relative clause when the verb requires the word 'being'?

You drop the relative pronoun, place 'being' before the verb, and leave the verb in its past participle form. For example, 'The money that is collected' becomes 'The money being collected.'

What are the three methods to create reduced relative clauses?

The three methods are: 1) Dropping the relative pronoun and adding '-ing' to the verb. 2) Dropping the relative pronoun and using the past participle form of the verb. 3) Dropping the relative pronoun and adding 'being' before the past participle verb.