A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause introduced by a relative pronoun. For more information, please read the previous lessons in this section.
Here the clause ‘who just walked in’ is an example of a relative clause. It modifies the noun boy. Relative clauses are also called adjective clauses.
Much like adjectives, relative clauses, also known as adjective clauses, modify nouns.
2. Reduced relative clauses
Relative clauses are sometimes shortened.
Reduced relative clauses refer to the shortening of a relative clause which modifies the subject of a sentence. Reduced relative clauses modify the subject and not the object of a sentence.
1. Remove the relative pronoun.
2. Remove the verb (usually "be," but also "seem," "appear," etc.).
3. Place the adjective used in the relative clause or the adjective phrase before the modified noun.
1. Remove the relative pronoun.
2. Remove the verb "be".
3. Place the prepositional phrase after the modified noun.
If the verb is in the active voice, it gets reduced to a present participle phrase.
Any active tense can be changed to a present participle phrase e.g. present simple, past simple, present continuous, present perfect etc.
1. Remove the relative pronoun.
2. Remove the verb "be" or auxiliary verb if there is any.
3. Place the present participle phrase after the modified noun.
If the relative clause is in the passive voice.
1. Remove the relative pronoun.
2. Remove the verb "be" or any auxiliary verb if there is.
3. Place the past participle or past participle phrase before the modified noun.
If you wish to emphasise the prior completion of the activity in the participle phrase.
1. Remove the relative pronoun.
2.Replace has/have/had by "having".
3. Place the past participle before the modified noun.
If you do not wish to emphasise in the particle phrase the prior completion of the activity, then it is more common to use the present participle.
When the verb “have” meaning possession, we can omit relative pronoun and “have” and use with(+) or without(-).
1. The only => to
2. Superlative => to
3. The first, last, second, next => to
Jack is the first person who has handed in this exam.
Jack is the first person to have handed in this exam.
Reduced structures can also be used with the adjectives available and possible.