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Common Mistakes in English: Relative Clauses

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Common Mistakes in English: Relative Clauses

Relative clauses are a type of subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun or pronoun. They are introduced by a relative pronoun (who, which, that) or a relative adverb (when, where, why).

Here are some common mistakes that people make with relative clauses:

  1. Using the wrong relative pronoun.

    2. The relative pronoun must agree with the noun or pronoun it refers to in number and gender. For example, you would use "who" for a singular person, "which" for a singular thing, and "that" for a plural person or thing.

  2. Misplacing the relative clause.

    3. The relative clause should be placed as close as possible to the noun or pronoun it refers to. This will help to make the sentence clear and easy to understand.

  3. Using a comma before the relative clause.

    4. A comma is not needed before a relative clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence. An essential relative clause provides information that is necessary to identify the noun or pronoun it refers to. For example, in the sentence "The man who lives next door is a doctor," the relative clause "who lives next door" is essential because it tells us which man we are talking about.

  4. Using a comma after a nonrestrictive relative clause.

    5. A nonrestrictive relative clause provides additional information about a noun or pronoun, but it is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. A nonrestrictive relative clause is set off by commas. For example, in the sentence "The man, who lives next door, is a doctor," the relative clause ", who lives next door," is nonrestrictive because it provides additional information about the man, but it is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Here are some examples of correctly written relative clauses:

  • The man who lives next door is a doctor.
  • The book that I am reading is very interesting.
  • The car which we bought is a hybrid.
  • The day when I met you was the best day of my life.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve your English writing skills and make your writing more clear and concise.