What is a Relative Clause?

A relative clause is another term for an adjective clause. Relative, or adjective, clauses are dependent clauses that modify nouns or pronouns. They include a subject and a verb or verb phrase and are introduced by words known as relative pronouns and relative adverbs. These types of pronouns and adverbs are referred to as relative because they relate the clauses to the words they modify. That, who, whom, whose, and which are relative pronouns, and where, when, and why are relative adverbs.

Relative Clause Examples:

( That is cheerful is a relative clause. It contains the relative pronoun that, which also functions as the clause’s subject, and the verb is. The clause modifies the noun color.)

Relative Clause Example: The person to whom Candice owes the greatest gratitude is her mother.

( To whom Candice owes the greatest gratitude is a relative clause. It contains the relative pronoun whom, the subject Candice, and the verb owes. The clause modifies the noun person.)

Relative Clause Examples

( Which debuted last week is a relative clause. It contains the relative pronoun which, which also functions as the clause’s subject, and the verb debuted. The clause modifies the noun play.)

Relative Clause Example: We’re going to see a band whose lead singer is a friend of ours .

( Whose lead singer is a friend of ours is a relative clause. It contains the relative pronoun whose, the subject singer, and the verb is. The clause modifies the noun band.)

Relative Clause Example: I’m buying a gift for the neighbor who helped me move .

( Who helped me move is a relative clause. It contains the relative pronoun who, which also functions as the clause’s subject, and the verb helped. The clause modifies the noun neighbor.)

Relative Clause Example: Yellowstone National Park, which opened in 1872 , was the first national park in the country.

( Which opened in 1872 is a relative clause. It contains the relative pronoun which, which also functions as the clause’s subject, and the verb opened. The clause modifies the noun Yellowstone National Park.)

More Relative Clause Examples:

Relative Clause Example: The university where my sister goes to school is in Chicago.

( Where my sister goes to school is a relative clause. It contains the relative adverb where, the subject sister, and the verb goes. The clause modifies the noun university.)

Relative Clause Example: My family is taking a trip during the month when I graduate from high school .

( When I graduate from high school is a relative clause. It contains the relative adverb when, the subject I, and the verb graduate. The clause modifies the noun month.)

Relative Clause Example: Our early flight is the reason why we need to leave right away in the morning .

( Why we need to leave right away in the morning is a relative clause. It contains the relative adverb why, the subject we, and the verb need. The clause modifies the noun reason.)

Relative Clause Example: Kelli visited the office where her dad works .

( Where her dad works is a relative clause. It contains the relative adverb where, the subject dad, and the verb works. The clause modifies the noun office.)

Relative Clause Example: Summer is the season when I have the most fun .

( When I have the most fun is a relative clause. It contains the relative adverb when, the subject I, and the verb have. The clause modifies the noun season.)

Relative Clause Example: Diego biked to the lake where he likes to go swimming .

( Where he likes to go swimming is a relative clause. It contains the relative adverb where, the subject he, and the verb likes. The clause modifies the noun lake.)