Have you ever wondered whether the word “that” should be considered a relative pronoun or a relative adverb? Perhaps you’ve been confused by the way it’s used in different sentences, or maybe you’ve never given it much thought at all. In any case, understanding the difference between these two parts of speech can be incredibly helpful in improving your writing and communication skills.
So, what exactly is a relative pronoun or adverb, and how does “that” fit into the picture? Simply put, relative pronouns and adverbs are words that are used to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. They provide additional information about a noun or subject in the sentence, and can help to clarify the meaning of the overall message. However, while both types of words serve a similar function, there are important differences between the two that can impact how they’re used in a sentence.
Types of Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns are words that introduce a dependent clause and connect it to an independent clause. There are five types of relative pronouns:
- That
- Which
- Who
- Whom
- Whose
Each of these relative pronouns has a specific use and can be used differently depending on the context of the sentence. Here is a breakdown of each relative pronoun:
| Relative Pronoun | Usage |
|---|---|
| That | Used to refer to people, animals, or things |
| Which | Used to refer to things or animals |
| Who | Used to refer to people |
| Whom | Used to refer to people (as an object of a verb or preposition) |
| Whose | Used to show possession |
It’s important to use the correct relative pronoun in a sentence to avoid confusion or ambiguity. Understanding the usage of each relative pronoun can help to make your writing more clear and effective.
Functions of Relative Adverbs
Relative adverbs, much like relative pronouns, are used to link a dependent clause to an independent clause. They serve the purpose of introducing additional information about the independent clause, usually in the form of context or background information.
There are three primary functions of relative adverbs:
- They function as a substitute for a noun or noun phrase and modify the verb of the independent clause.
- They provide information about time, place, or reason to help clarify the context of the independent clause.
- They can create a cause-and-effect or explanatory relationship between the dependent and independent clauses.
Examples of Relative Adverbs in Action
Let’s take a look at some examples to better understand the functions of relative adverbs.
Function 1: Substitute for a Noun or Noun Phrase
Example: The store where I bought my shoes is having a sale this weekend.
Where serves as a substitute for “the store,” and modifies the verb “bought.”
Function 2: Provide Information about Time, Place, or Reason
Example: I am going to the park where we had our picnic last summer.
Where provides information about the place in order to provide context for the independent clause.
Function 3: Create a Cause-and-Effect or Explanatory Relationship
Example: I am hesitant to try new foods, since I am allergic to peanuts.
Since creates a causal relationship between the dependent and independent clauses. Therefore, the second clause provides an explanation for the first.
Summary of Functions
Overall, the primary functions of relative adverbs are to clarify context, provide additional information, and create cause-and-effect or explanatory relationships between the dependent and independent clauses. By using relative adverbs, one can provide additional context and information for their writing, allowing the reader to better understand the overall meaning and intent of the text.
| Function | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Substitute for a Noun or Noun Phrase | The reason why I’m late is because of traffic. |
| Provide Information about Time, Place, or Reason | The hotel where we stayed was on the beach. |
| Create a Cause-and-Effect or Explanatory Relationship | He was late to work since he missed his train. |
By using these functions, writers can improve the clarity and cohesiveness of their writing, ultimately leading to a better reading experience for their audience.
Relative Clause Examples
A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that functions as an adjective, providing additional information about the noun or pronoun it modifies. It begins with a relative pronoun or relative adverb that introduces the clause and connects it to the rest of the sentence. Here are some examples of relative clauses:
- The man who stole my wallet has been arrested.
- The book, which I borrowed from the library, was very interesting.
- This is the restaurant where we had our first date.
As you can see, the relative pronouns in these examples are “who”, “which”, and “where”, respectively. They connect the relative clause to the rest of the sentence and provide additional information about the noun or pronoun they modify.
Relative clauses can also be introduced by relative adverbs such as “when”, “where”, and “why”. Here are some examples:
- She remembers the day when she first met him.
- This is the city where I was born and raised.
- I don’t understand the reason why he did that.
Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses
Relative clauses can be classified as either restrictive or non-restrictive, depending on whether they limit the meaning of the noun or pronoun they modify. A restrictive relative clause provides essential information that is necessary for identifying the person, place, or thing being referred to. It is not set off by commas. Here is an example:
The person who stole my wallet has been arrested.
In this sentence, the relative clause “who stole my wallet” restricts the meaning of “person” and identifies a specific individual who committed a particular action.
A non-restrictive relative clause, on the other hand, provides additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun it modifies. It is set off by commas. Here is an example:
My brother, who is a doctor, lives in New York.
In this sentence, the relative clause “who is a doctor” provides additional information about “my brother” but does not limit or restrict the meaning of the noun. If we remove the relative clause, the sentence still makes sense:
My brother lives in New York.
Relative Clauses with Prepositions
Relative clauses can also be introduced by prepositions such as “in”, “on”, “at”, and “by”. Here is an example:
| Preposition | Relative Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | which | The town in which I grew up was very small. |
| on | that | The book on which I am basing my research is very informative. |
| at | whom | The professor at whom I was shouting did not hear me. |
| by | whose | The painting, by whose artist I do not know, is very beautiful. |
These relative clauses provide additional information about the noun or pronoun being modified and help to clarify its meaning in the context of the sentence.
Essential vs. Non-essential Relative Clauses
Relative clauses, whether essential or non-essential, have an important role in making clear and concise sentences. An understanding of the difference between them is necessary to use them effectively.
Essential relative clauses, also known as restrictive relative clauses, define who or what is being referred to in the sentence. They provide essential identifying information on the noun being referred to, and without it, the meaning of the sentence would change. For example, in the sentence, “The car that Mary bought was red,” the relative clause “that Mary bought” is essential because it identifies the specific car being discussed.
On the other hand, non-essential relative clauses, also known as non-restrictive relative clauses, provide additional, nonessential information about the noun being discussed. These clauses are set apart from the main sentence with a comma. For example, in the sentence, “My brother, who is a doctor, is coming to visit me,” the relative clause “who is a doctor” is non-essential information that adds detail to the subject “my brother.”
- Essential relative clauses are necessary to the meaning and identify who or what is being discussed.
- Non-essential relative clauses add extra information and are set apart by commas.
- It is important to identify the distinction between the two types of relative clauses to use them appropriately.
Below is a table that summarizes the differences between essential and non-essential relative clauses:
| Essential Relative Clauses | Non-essential Relative Clauses |
|---|---|
| Define and identify the subject or object of the sentence | Provide extra, non-essential information about the noun being discussed |
| Cannot be deleted from the sentence without changing its meaning | The sentence’s meaning would not change if the relative clause were removed |
| Do not have commas before or after the clause | Have commas before and after the clause to set it apart from the main sentence |
Understanding the difference between essential and non-essential relative clauses can help make sentences clearer and more concise. By using them appropriately, we can communicate our message effectively and efficiently.
Rules for Punctuating Relative Clauses: Subsection 5 – Guidelines for Using Commas in Relative Clauses
Using commas correctly in a sentence is crucial as it helps to improve clarity and prevent any confusion for the reader. But when it comes to relative clauses, the use of commas may vary depending on the type of clause and its position in the sentence.
Here are some guidelines to help you punctuate relative clauses correctly with commas:
- Use a comma before the relative pronoun when the clause is non-restrictive or adds extra information to the sentence. For example: “My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us next week.”
- Do not use a comma when the relative clause is restrictive and essential to the meaning of the sentence. For example: “The man who stole my wallet is still at large.”
- Use commas to separate multiple relative clauses in a sentence. For example: “The car, which belonged to my grandfather, who passed away last year, has been sold.”
- Do not use commas when the relative pronoun “that” is used instead of “who”, “whom”, or “which”. For example: “The company that I work for has offices worldwide.”
- Do not use a comma before a relative adverb (when, where, why) in a restrictive relative clause. For example: “I still remember the day when we first met.”
To help you further understand how to punctuate relative clauses correctly, here is a table showing the difference between non-restrictive and restrictive clauses:
| Non-Restrictive | Restrictive |
|---|---|
| Gina, who is my sister, is coming over for dinner. | The student who won the award is in my class. |
| John’s new car, which is blue, is parked outside. | The car that John just bought is parked outside. |
| The movie, which I saw last week, was amazing. | The movie that won the Oscar was amazing. |
By following these guidelines for using commas in relative clauses, you can avoid common punctuation errors and improve the clarity of your writing. Remember, the correct use of commas helps to make the meaning of your sentence clear and easy to understand.
Correct Usage of Who vs. Whom
Relative pronouns are used to connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun. They are called “relative” because they introduce clauses that relate to the noun or pronoun. Two commonly used relative pronouns are “who” and “whom.”
The main difference between “who” and “whom” is their function in a sentence. “Who” is used as a subject pronoun, while “whom” is used as an object pronoun.
- Use “who” when referring to the subject of a sentence or clause. For example: “Who is going to the party?” (The subject is “who” and the verb is “is going.”)
- Use “whom” when referring to the object of a verb or preposition. For example: “Whom did you invite to the party?” (The subject is “you,” the verb is “invite,” and the object is “whom.”)
- You can also use “whom” as the object of a verb in a passive sentence. For example: “The award will be given to whom the judges select.” (The subject is “the award,” the verb is “given,” and the object is “whom.”)
When in doubt, a good rule of thumb is to determine whether “who” or “whom” can be replaced with “he” or “him.” If “he” fits, use “who.” If “him” fits, use “whom.”
Here is a table summarizing the correct usage of “who” and “whom.”
| Usage | Example | Correct Pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Who is going to the party? | who |
| Object | Did you invite whom to the party? | whom |
| Object (passive) | The award will be given to whom the judges select. | whom |
Using “who” and “whom” correctly can improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Keep in mind the function each pronoun serves in a sentence and use them accordingly.
Common Errors to Avoid with Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns and relative adverbs are commonly used in the English language to relate clauses or phrases to one another.
Relative pronouns are used to connect sentences or clauses and act as the subject or object of the sentence. Meanwhile, relative adverbs are used to relate a sentence to the noun or pronoun that goes before it.
Even though they are essential to constructing complex sentences, relative pronouns and adverbs can be a source of confusion and errors in writing. Below are some of the common errors that you should avoid when using relative pronouns:
- Using that instead of who or which – While the pronoun that is commonly used to introduce a restrictive clause, it should not be used to refer to people. Instead, use who or whom for people and which for things.
- Omitting the relative pronoun – Sometimes, the relative pronoun can be omitted from the sentence, but doing so can lead to ambiguity or confusion. Always include the relative pronoun unless it doesn’t add clarity to the sentence.
- Mismatching relative pronoun and antecedent – The antecedent of a relative pronoun should always match its gender and number, even if the antecedent is implied. For example, if the antecedent is a singular noun, the relative pronoun should be singular as well.
- Using who instead of that – While who is used for people and that is used for both people and things, using who to refer to a thing is sometimes unavoidable. In such cases, using that instead of who can make the sentence less awkward and more concise.
- Confusing whose and who’s – Whose is a possessive pronoun, while who’s is a contraction of who is or who has. Be mindful of their meanings and use them correctly to avoid confusion.
- Mixing up where, when, and why – Where should be used to refer to a place, when for time, and why for reason. Mixing them up can change the intended meaning of your sentence.
- Using that after a preposition – That is not used after a preposition. Instead, use a preposition followed by which to introduce the modifying clause.
Conclusion
Proper use of relative pronouns and adverbs plays a significant role in ensuring the clarity and coherence of your writing. By avoiding these common errors, you can improve the overall quality of your composition and avoid misunderstandings.
| Error Type | Examples | Correct Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Using that instead of who or which | The boy that is entering the room… | The boy who is entering the room… |
| Omitting the relative pronoun | The woman I saw yesterday… | The woman who/that I saw yesterday… |
| Mismatching relative pronoun and antecedent | The student that passed their exam… | The student who passed his/her/their exam… |
| Using who instead of that | The book, who I read yesterday… | The book that I read yesterday… |
| Confusing whose and who’s | Who’s been using my computer? | Whose computer is this? |
| Mixing up where, when, and why | The time where we met… | The time when we met… |
| Using that after a preposition | The book from that I learned… | The book from which I learned… |
Always keep in mind the proper usage of relative pronouns and adverbs to enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing.
Is That a Relative Pronoun or Relative Adverb?
1. What is a relative pronoun?
A relative pronoun introduces a dependent clause and relates it to the noun or pronoun it modifies. Examples include “who,” “whom,” “that,” and “which.”
2. What is a relative adverb?
A relative adverb introduces a dependent clause and relates it to the word it modifies in terms of time, place, or reason. Examples include “when,” “where,” and “why.”
3. How can I differentiate between a relative pronoun and a relative adverb?
Ask yourself whether the word is introducing a dependent clause that functions as an adjective or as an adverb. If it’s modifying a noun or pronoun, it’s a relative pronoun. If it’s modifying a verb or adjective, it’s a relative adverb.
4. Can the same word be both a relative pronoun and a relative adverb?
Yes, some words can function as both relative pronouns and relative adverbs depending on the context. For example, “when” can introduce a clause that modifies a noun (“the day when we met”) or a verb (“remember when we met”).
5. What are some common relative pronouns?
Common relative pronouns include “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” and “which.”
6. What are some common relative adverbs?
Common relative adverbs include “when,” “where,” and “why.”
7. Why is it important to know the difference between a relative pronoun and a relative adverb?
Understanding the difference can help you use these words correctly in your writing and avoid mistakes that could confuse your readers.
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for reading this article on relative pronouns and relative adverbs. We hope you found it helpful and informative. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask. And be sure to check back soon for more useful language tips and tricks.