Relative Pronouns and Adjectival Clauses



Relative Pronouns and Adjectival Clauses

You create adjectival clauses by replacing a noun or noun phrase in a sentence with a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whom, whose).  Basically, you are combining two sentences, making one within the other, and eliminating the repeated noun.  Relative clauses can help you be more precise and economical, and can really help you emphasize key points in your writing.

Originally:  The English developed the long bow.  The long bow changed the face of war forever.

Becomes:  The English developed the long bow, which changed the face of war forever.

You choose the relative pronoun depending on if the noun is human or not.  If it is not human, you choose “that” or “which.”  Typically, if you use “that,” you don’t use a comma.  If you use “which,” you use a comma.   For example:

Originally:  Even up until the 1960’s, African Americans were institutionally excluded from voting by voting laws.   The voting laws were intentionally vague so as to allow for racist interpretations.

Option 1:  Even up until the 1960’s, African Americans were institutionally excluded from voting by voting laws that were intentionally vague so as to allow for racist interpretations.

Option 2:  Even up until the 1960’s, African Americans were institutionally excluded from voting by voting laws, which were intentionally vague so as to allow for racist interpretations.

PRACTICE:

A weak economy can cloud the job prospects of college graduates.

A weak economy discourages older workers from retiring.

Stephen King says the best horror movies appeal to the worst in human nature.

Stephen King’s Misery portrayed a demented fan trying to keep her favorite author captive.

Dogs often pick up some very bad habits.

Dogs copy the behaviors of their owners.

The diet contains one-third less fat than the American diet.

The Chinese eat the diet.

The trading card hobby has blossomed into a multi-billion dollar business.

The trading card hobby once only dealt in sports figures.

The multi-billion dollar business swaps cards of such cultural idols as Batman and Madonna.

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