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Nominal Relative Clause
Phonetics:
nɒmɪnl
relətɪv
klɔːz
Pronunciation:
Unleashing the Power of Nominal Relative Clauses
Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules
Nominal Relative clause always gives extra information about the sentence, which includes who, where, when, which, and so on. Nominal Relative clause is used to introduce relative clauses that serve as objects, subjects, or compliments.
For example:
- “I like the way you describe the things you hear” (You can find that the way of describing it indicates the complement)
What is a nominal relative clause?
The nominal relative clause also known as a free relative clause is used to introduce a relative clause, which connects antecedent and relative clause, which, when, where, why, whatever, wherever, why, how, whom all are the nominal relative pronounces that give additional information about the sentence.
- For example, I studied whatever I could before the exam.
The word “who” has two different meanings. who can be used with two significant senses, like as an interrogative and as a relative pronoun?
- Interrogative: Who was there with Smith last night?
- Relative pronoun: the man who is having Smith laptops
Nominal relative clauses provide detailed information about the noun, for example.
- What John did was a Requirement of time (Here is the term that puts emphasis on John’s activity and gives additional information about it as per the time requirement)
Importance of nominal relative clause
Nominal relative clauses are important to structure any sentence because:
Modification of nouns has to describe specific nouns by providing descriptive and detailed information about them.
- E.g., Liawenee is the coldest place in Australia, where you should go.
Nominal relative clauses also have to create complex sentence structures by expanding the main clause; for example, The property that Peter built is now a visitor place. Here in this sentence, the nominal relative Clause is “that Peter built,” which is complex about a specific house.
Nominal relative clauses are formed by combining a relative pronoun or relative adverb with another sentence, which provides structure to any sentence.
- Nominal relative pronoun clause
A nominal relative pronoun clause is something that connects a relative clause to the main clause and refers to a noun or pronoun, for example, who, whom, which, and that.
For example:-
- The person who scored high in class is my brother.
- The book that you borrowed is my favorite book.
- The man who is next behind you is your uncle.
- The child whose shirt is blue is my son.
Nominal Relative adverb clause
Nominal Relative adverbs clauses have a link with nominal relative clauses, like where, when, and why, which deal with the extra information about the noun. They also modify the verb or entire clause, and their basic function is to provide additional information.
For example
- This is the place where I spend my usual time.
- When is she going to meet me?
Combine relative pronouns and adverbs with noun clauses.
The combination of relative pronouns and adverb gives a complex sentence structure in which the noun clause functions as an object or complement of the relative pronoun or adverb.
For example, the question is:
- who is going to pay the bill?
- I don’t know what she expects from me.
Types of Nominal relative clauses:
Nominal relative clauses have different types that modify nouns or pronouns in a sentence, provide additional information, and give structure to the sentence.
Subject Nominal relative clause
This type of Nominal relative clause acts as the main clause, which begins with the relative pronoun like who, which, or that and is followed by the verb.
For example
- The girl is unpredictable and knows about her next action.
- The person who won the football match is my brother.
Object nominal Relative clause
Object nominal relative clause function as the object of the main clause; this starts with a relative pronoun and is followed by a verb, for example: –
- I know where we met first.
Possessive nominal relative clause
This relative clause indicates having a position or ownership over a particular object. It begins with the relative pronoun and is followed by the possessive pronoun, for example, whose and whom.
- I met my friend, whose mother is an excellent writer.
- The company is looking for a writer with whom I have worked earlier.
Indirect nominal relative clause
Indirect nominal relative clauses provide information about a noun in an indirect way. This kind of nominal relative clause is introduced by the preposition and further, followed by the relative pronoun and verb, for example.
- The park where John is playing is the best place for kids.
- He hired me, for which I am grateful to him.
- These are the types of nominal relative clauses that play different functions within a sentence.
Usage and Functions of Nominal Relative Clause
Nominal relative clauses have various important features and usages. It acts as a noun phrase in a sentence, modifying or describing a noun, and it provides additional information and clarity, which gives a proper structure to a sentence.
Acting as a noun phrase in a sentence
It plays a crucial role in providing special information about nouns. Nominal relative clauses function as noun phrases that can replace a noun or pronoun and serve as the subject, object, or complement of the main clause, for example.
- The shop that Smith recommended is nearby my location (subject of the main clause).
- I always encourage the efforts that you put into preparing for the exam (object of the main clause).
- Sia always wants to be an Administrative person, which is a commendable task to do.
Modifying or describing a noun
This is a close use to modify the noun by adding more information about it. It provides additional details to specify the noun’s identity and also clarifies its characteristics. Immediately after the noun, you can observe the nominal relative clause.
For example
- The person you appreciate is my brother. (Modifying the noun person)
- Smith brought a less polluting car. (Providing additional information and clarity)
- The city, which is known for its cold, attracts travelers from Australia. (Detailed information about the city)
She wore a dress that she made herself. (Identified dress origin)
Nominal relative clauses have various important features and usages. It acts as a noun phrase in a sentence, modifying or describing a noun, and it provides additional information and clarity, which gives a proper structure to a sentence.
Acting as a noun phrase in a sentence
It plays a crucial role in providing special information about nouns. Nominal relative clauses function as noun phrases that can replace a noun or pronoun and serve as the subject, object, or complement of the main clause, for example.
- The shop that Smith recommended is nearby my location (subject of the main clause).
- I always encourage the efforts that you put into preparing for the exam (object of the main clause).
- Sia always wants to be an Administrative person, which is a commendable task to do.
Modifying or describing a noun
This is a close use to modify the noun by adding more information about it. It provides additional details to specify the noun’s identity and also clarifies its characteristics. Immediately after the noun, you can observe the nominal relative clause.
For example
- The person you appreciate is my brother. (Modifying the noun person)
- Smith brought a less polluting car. (Providing additional information and clarity)
- The city, which is known for its cold, attracts travelers from Australia. (Detailed information about the city)
- She wore a dress that she made herself. (Identified dress origin)
What is an adjective clause?
Adjective clauses help to modify nouns and pronouns in sentences; they also provide additional information about nouns or pronouns like who, whom, and who, which are relative adverbs like when, where, and why. It always gives some additional information about the sentence.
For example:
- The man who is next behind you is my father.
- The person whom I love never cares about me.
- The house where I grew up is the most memorable place ever.
Difference between Nominal clause and adjective clause:
You will find differences between nominal relative and adjective clauses
- Nominal relative clauses, where the relative pronoun or relative adverb functions as the subject or object of the clause.
- E.g., the chocolate that David gives me is my favorite.
- whereas in an Adjective clause, a relative pronoun or relative adverb functions as the subject within the clause and modifies the noun or pronoun in the main clause.
- E.g., the person who is sitting next to you is my father.
Usage difference
Nominal relative clause function as noun phrases in the sentence and it act as a subject, object or complement of the main clause.
For example
- the chocolate which David give me is my favorite (nominal relative clause acting as the subject of the main clause in this example)
- where is in the adjective clause you can see the modification of noun or pronoun, for example, the men who are sitting next to you is my father (adjective clause modified the noun man).
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Key Takeaways
- A nominal relative clause is important to structure any sentence where the sentence gives more specific and additional information. For example- John writes better, which is why he has huge followers. This statement gives additional information about John.
- Nominal relative clauses have various types like subject, object, possessive, and indirect nominal relative clauses.
- There is a difference between an adjective and a nominal relative clause, which makes this concept more significant.
- You are required to keep in mind while framing your sentence that it should provide additional information, be simple, and be without complexity. It is also required to clear the nominal relative clause.
Quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions
There are various kinds of examples for using nominal relative clauses, like:
- I met my friend, whose mother is an excellent writer.
- The company is looking for a writer with whom I have worked earlier.
- The chocolate that David gave me is my favorite.
- The person who scored high on the team is my brother.
- The person who is roaming the street is a beggar.
Here you can see various guidelines for using nominal relative clauses, like the requirement to ensure that relative clauses provide additional information in the sentence.
You are required to choose appropriate relative pronouns, for example, who or “that, which is based on the role of the noun being modified. You are also required to maintain clarity.
You can find a nominal relative clause immediately after the noun, which helps to maintain clarity and develop an understanding of relative clauses without any confusion.
There are various types of nominal relative clauses, like subject nominal relative clauses, object nominal relative clauses, possessive nominal relative clauses, and indirect nominal relative clauses.
You are required to identify the noun or pronoun that you want to modify. You also have to determine the appropriate relative pronoun, like who. You are required to construct a relative clause by adding a relative pronoun and verb, and you are also required to place the relative clause immediately after the noun.
Incorrect relative pronoun usage is a common error, and what is usually a common error is a lack of clarity while modifying the pronoun.
