Reducing the Relative Clause - Part Two

Summary

This video explains the concept of reducing relative clauses in English grammar, focusing on the rules of commas and verbs. It highlights how relative clauses are formed with defining and non-defining elements, such as when there are no commas (no name) versus when real names are used (with commas). The video emphasizes that relative clauses can be reduced when there is no name and no verb. It also clarifies when reduction is not possible, such as when a verb follows the relative pronoun. The 'no name, no commas, no verb' rule is key to mastering relative clause reduction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Relative clauses can be defining or non-defining: defining clauses don’t have commas, while non-defining clauses do.
• 😀 When starting with an unidentified subject (e.g., 'a man', 'the country'), there are no commas.
• 😀 For real names (e.g., 'Tasmania', 'poor Egypt'), commas are used because they are specific.
• 😀 The 'no name, no commas' rule helps determine when a relative clause should have commas.
• 😀 Example sentence: 'The computer that I bought last week is broken'—no commas because there is no name.
• 😀 Reducing a relative clause involves removing the relative pronoun, like 'the computer I bought last week is broken'.
• 😀 You can't always reduce relative clauses, particularly when there’s a verb after the relative pronoun.
• 😀 If a relative clause has 'no name and no verb', it can be reduced (e.g., 'the computer I bought last week').
• 😀 A reduced relative clause is incorrect when there’s a verb after the relative pronoun, as it can’t become the subject of the clause.
• 😀 The key rules for reducing relative clauses: 'no name, no commas, no verb' allows for reduction.
• 😀 In summary, to reduce a relative clause, ensure there is no name, no comma, and no verb following the relative pronoun.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is reducing relative clauses in English grammar, focusing on when and how to omit the relative pronoun.

What are the two types of relative clauses mentioned in the video?

The two types of relative clauses mentioned are defining and non-defining relative clauses.

How can you tell if a sentence needs commas for a relative clause?

You use the rule of 'No Name, No Comma'. If the noun in the relative clause is not a specific name (e.g., 'the man', 'the country'), you don’t use commas. If the noun is a proper noun (e.g., 'Tasmania', 'Egypt'), you do use commas.

What is the rule for deciding whether a sentence has commas or not in a relative clause?

'No Name, No Comma' is the rule. If the noun is not specific (i.e., a general noun like 'man' or 'country'), no commas are needed. If the noun is a specific name (e.g., 'Tasmania'), commas are necessary.

What is an example of a sentence with no commas in the relative clause?

An example is 'The computer that I bought last week is broken.' There are no commas because 'the computer' is not a specific name.

Can a relative clause always be reduced?

No, a relative clause cannot always be reduced. It can only be reduced if certain conditions are met, such as the relative pronoun not being a verb and the sentence having no commas.

When is it incorrect to reduce a relative clause?

It is incorrect to reduce a relative clause when the relative pronoun is followed by a verb that serves as the subject of the clause, as in 'The man who is sitting next to me is my brother.' The sentence can't be reduced in this case.

What is the rule that allows you to reduce a relative clause?

The rule is 'No Name, No Verb.' If there is no comma and the relative pronoun is not followed by a verb, you can reduce the relative clause.

What happens if there is a verb after the relative pronoun?

If there is a verb after the relative pronoun, it is generally not possible to reduce the relative clause, as it would make the sentence grammatically incorrect, like 'The man is sitting next to me.'

Why can't you reduce the sentence 'The man who is sitting next to me is my brother'?

You can't reduce 'The man who is sitting next to me is my brother' because the relative pronoun 'who' is followed by the verb 'is sitting,' making it impossible to remove 'who' without causing a grammatical error.