relative clause: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

In modern usage, particularly in American English, 'that' is used for defining clauses (essential info), and 'which' is used for non-defining clauses (extra info, set off by commas). British English is sometimes more flexible with 'which' in defining clauses.

You can omit the relative pronoun only when it is the object of the relative clause. E.g., 'The man (whom) I saw' is fine. You cannot omit it when it is the subject. E.g., 'The man who saw me' cannot become '*The man saw me' with the same meaning.

A contact clause is another term for a defining relative clause where the relative pronoun (that, who, which) has been omitted because it functions as the object. E.g., 'The book I read' (instead of 'The book that I read').

Generally, 'who/whom' is for people, 'which' is for things/animals, and 'that' can be used for both. Using 'which' for people is rare and often considered archaic or overly formal (e.g., 'Our team, which consists of ten people...'). It is safer to use 'who' for people.

A clause that modifies a noun or noun phrase and is introduced by a relative pronoun (e.

Relative clause is usually formal, academic, technical in register.

Relative clause: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛl.ə.tɪv ˈklɔːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛl.ə.t̬ɪv ˈklɑːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.