English Studio
Grammar c2 - Advanced relative clauses in literary contexts
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Relative clauses are used to add extra information to a noun or pronoun in a sentence. In literary contexts, relative clauses can describe characters, settings, events, or provide additional details that contribute to the richness of the narrative. They can be defining or non-defining, and sometimes they can be reduced to give more compact descriptions.
Defining Relative Clause: Provides essential information about the noun. Without it, the meaning of the sentence would be incomplete. It begins with who, whom, which, or that.
Example: The novel that captivated readers worldwide was translated into several languages.
Non-Defining Relative Clause: Adds extra information that is not crucial to the meaning of the sentence. It is always set off by commas.
Example: The author, whose books are famous, will be visiting next week.
Reduced Relative Clause: This is a shortened version of the relative clause, often used in more advanced writing. The subject and relative pronoun can be omitted if they are the same as the subject of the main clause.
Example: The woman sitting at the desk is the director. (Instead of "who is sitting at the desk")