Relative clauses in English exercises. Adverbial clauses in English. Types of Relative Clause in English

An English sentence can be compared with a Russian one in that their structure is partially similar, and we are not talking about sentence members, but about parts of one phrase. So, they are found in the language. The second ones, which will be discussed in this article, in turn, are complex, where all parts are equal and independent, and complex. A complex sentence is so called because one or more of its parts are subordinate to another, and these subordinate parts themselves can answer different questions and act as different components of a phrase. These features led to the emergence of such a concept as clauses, and determined the classification of types of clauses in accordance with their role in the sentence. This will be discussed in this article. We will look at what subordinate clauses are in English, what types of them are distinguished and how they differ from each other.

General information about accessory parts

The translation of the word clause is “part”, and further we are talking about those parts of a complex sentence that can convey different meanings and answer different questions. In general, there are main / principal - main and subordinate clauses - subordinate clauses in English (parts). This division is very clearly visible in the subjunctive mood, because conditional sentences in English consist directly of the following components: the main sentence carries the main essence, and the subordinate part contains the condition.

It is worth noting that parts of a complex sentence can be connected either through conjunctions or other connecting words, or not have any connecting units. Example of a union connection:
She was sure that nobody would come to see her off She was sure that no one would come to see her off.

An example of a non-union connection:
I wish I had been there a few days before– It’s a pity that I wasn’t there a few days before.

It is also impossible not to note the fact that subordinate clauses do not have any specific place, i.e. they can either precede the main parts or come after them:

· It was hard to overcome the problem because the task was too difficult– It was difficult to overcome the problem because the task was too difficult

· When he phoned in the evening, I was watching my favorite TV program – When he called in the evening, I was watching my favorite program

The translation of clauses today can also be considered all subordinate clauses, including those that contain the main members of the sentence. This is perhaps due to the fact that the types of subordinate clauses are very numerous, and when talking about parts of a complex sentence, it is important to emphasize all fragments of the phrase without exception. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the types of clauses in more detail, give examples from different categories, and determine what questions each type answers.

Main types of subordinate parts

It is customary to distinguish the following types of subordinate clauses in English:

1. Subject clause

or, more simply put, a part that contains a subject. It shows the relationship of this clause to the predicate and can appear either at the beginning or at the end and be preceded by various conjunctions or connecting words (who, what, which, where, that, etc.):

What does he want to do is to go away right now - What he wants to do is leave right now

2. Predicative clause - subordinate predicates

They are in many ways reminiscent of the previously described subject clauses, since they also contain one of two main members. In addition, approximately the same conjunctions and connecting elements are also used before them - who, what, that, how, why, etc. The only difference is that those subordinate clauses in English that have a predicative usually appear in the second half:

The problem was how the boys could reach that place– The problem was how the boys could get to that place

3. Object clause - additional clauses

In fact, they perform the function of a full-fledged supplement. Additional subordinate clauses can be connected to the main part through a variety of conjunctions and connecting elements - that, is, what, who, whatever, whoever, etc. Such parts are also called explanatory and answer the questions of indirect cases: what? about whom? etc.:

He always does what his mother tells him to do He always does what his mother tells him to do.

4. Attributive clauses

They act as definitions and are associated with either nouns or pronouns that appear in the main clause. Determinative clauses in English can be associated with main clauses through different elements: these can be relative pronouns (who, that, which, etc.), relative adverbs (when, where), and the method can also be non-union. Complex sentences with attributive clauses are quite popular due to the possibility of different ways of coordinating with the main part; Usually the attributive clause answers the question which? and may look like this:

He started in the hope that everyone would support him– He started in the hope that everyone would support him

5. Adverbial clauses

which constitute perhaps the largest subgroup. Complex sentences with adverbial clauses are very common, since they convey a lot of meaning and have several separate subtypes. It is logical to assume that SPPs with adverbial clauses have a part within them in the adverbial function, which can have different meanings and be used to display different situations. So, any table with these types will offer the following options:

a) Adverbial clause of time - subordinate time in English

Quite often, parts of time and conditions stand together, since both subordinate conditions and time are clearly reflected in the subjunctive mood, where they have special grammatical norms for the formation of time. Temporal clauses have conjunctions that precede them - as, as soon as, till, until, when, etc.:
As soon as I saw her, I called my friends to tell them this news – As soon as I saw her, I called my friends to tell them this news

b) Adverbial clauses of place

There is usually nothing complicated in them, and the words that precede them are somehow connected with the place - where, wherever:
I feel good where I live– I feel good where I live

c) Adverbial clauses of purpose

Their essence lies in the name itself: they convey the purpose for which the action is performed. They are preceded by such well-known structures as in order, so that, etc.:

I looked at him so that he could understand the seriousness of my intention– I looked at him so that he could understand the seriousness of my intentions

d) Of cause - reasons

This part is designed to show one reason or another in relation to the main part. May begin with conjunctions because, for, since, as, etc.:

I decided not to go there since I didn't know anyone at that party– I decided not to go there because I didn’t know anyone at that party.

e) Of condition – subordinate clauses of condition

They are quite familiar to those who remember Subjunctive Mood and conditionals. Conditional clauses usually begin with conjunctions such as if (whether), unless, in case, etc.:

In case she comes, nobody will meet her – If she comes, no one will meet her

f) Of comparison

Their essence is quite simple: their translation begins with the words “as if”, “as if”, which are usually expressed through identical conjunctions as if/as though or other structures: as – as, so – as, etc.:

He looked as if nothing could frighten him“He looked like nothing could scare him.”

g) Of result – result or, as they are also called, consequences

The translation of such constructions is “so much that...”, “such that...”. Such clauses are usually expressed through the so that structure, but this case of its use should not be confused with an adverbial clause of purpose, where the essence will be completely different. Here's what a corollary clause looks like:

We were deeply involved in working on the project, so that we didn’t hear he come– We were so involved in working on the project that we didn’t hear it arrive

h) Of manner - way of action

The conjunction as usually shows how an action is performed, that is, the way it is performed. For example:
He did everything as you ordered him- He did everything as you ordered him

i) Adverbial clause of concession - concessions

A typical translation with which such a part will begin is “although”, “despite”, etc. The following meanings are expressed through the conjunctions although, though, however, despite, etc.:

Though he was free, he refused to help us – Although he was free, he refused to help us

As can be seen from all of the above information, there are quite a few types of subordinate clauses of a sentence, but each of them has individual distinctive features in the form of conjunctions that introduce them, therefore big problems and studying this extensive topic usually does not cause any difficulties.

A relative clause is a subordinate clause that performs a defining function in a sentence.

Let's look at a few sentences with attributive clauses to understand what they are.

My friend who lives in Canada has been divorced recently. A friend of mine who lives in Canada recently got divorced.

That's the boy who broke my glasses. This is the boy who broke my glasses.

This is the exercise that I couldn't do. This is an exercise that I have not been able to solve.

The poem which you wrote is great! The poem you wrote is great!

The girl whom you wrote is my cousin. The girl you wrote to is my cousin.

This is Mike whose elder sister was on yesterday party. This is Mike, whose older sister was at the party yesterday.

Where is this the house which/that you bought? Where is the house you bought?

As you can see from the examples, Relative Clauses in English can begin with such relative pronouns as ( relative pronoun) :

who (who, which – used only with people),

that (which, which – used with inanimate and animate objects),

which (which - can only appear in the middle of a sentence, is used with inanimate objects),

whom (to whom – used with animate objects),

whose - whose.

Now let's move on to the most important thing, the Relative clause rules:

Friends, today we will talk about defining and non-defining clauses. I’ll say right away that in the Russian language there is no such concept, therefore, for example, in the phrase “Here is the house that Jack built,” we put a comma, but the English (This is the house that Jack built) do not. This topic is very important for the correct translation into English of constructions with the words which, whose, what, etc. So, in English there are so-called relative clauses (subordinate clauses that perform the function of definition). They can be defining (show what or who we are talking about) and non-defining (contain additional information that can be thrown away).

1) Let's consider first defining clauses, which contain extremely important information that cannot be thrown away without changing the meaning of the phrase. Let's take these examples:
The bike that is broken is in the garage. In this case, using the qualifier that is broken, we distinguish the object from a number of others. In other words, we have a lot of bicycles, and the one that is now broken is in the garage.

Tom's brother who works at the supermarket is a friend of mine. Question. How many brothers does Tom have? Answer: two or more. In this case, the qualifier who works at the supermarket allows us to distinguish this particular brother from all the others. If we take out this phrase, we will not be able to understand which brother we are talking about.

Stroke incidence data are obtained from sources that use the ICD (International Code of Diseases) classification systems. We cannot throw out the relative clause, because otherwise there will be clearly insufficient information (from sources. From some unknown sources?).

So, defining clauses contain information that is important for understanding the entire phrase, they cannot be thrown out without losing the meaning, they allow you to distinguish an object from a number of others and Not separated by commas (yes, despite the fact that in Russian a comma is always placed before the words which, whose, etc.). It is also worth remembering that with animate nouns it is used who(in colloquial speech it can be replaced by that), and with inanimate ones - which (some authors recommend using only that in defining clauses, others allow both which and that. I propose to focus only on that to make it easier).

2) Non-defining clauses they introduce additional information that can be thrown out, and the meaning of the phrase will still be clear. Let's remember about the bicycle in the garage and make a non-defining clause out of it:

The bike , which is broken, is in the garage. In this case, we only have one bike, it’s in the garage. The fact that it is broken is additional information that can be thrown out and the phrase will still make sense. NB! Pay attention to commas and the fact that they are not friendly with that! Only which/who!

Tom's brother, who works at the supermarket, is a friend of mine. Question. How many brothers does Tom have? Answer: one. Throw it away who works at the supermarket, we get the same meaning, just without additional information.

Another example of the use of non-defining clauses is sentences with constructions after “what”, for example: Smoking is harmful to health, which is well known to every smoker. Smoking is bad for your health, which is well known to every smoker. In such cases, you must use a comma and use which as the subject. If the sentence is very long, it is better to break it into parts: Smoking is bad for your health. This is well known to every smoker (or, even better, let’s turn it into active voice: Every smoker knows it very well).
Lately I have stopped liking which in such constructions, because sometimes they turn out to be ambiguous:
Smoking is bad for your health, which is well known to every smoker. - you might think that “health is well known to every smoker.”
Therefore, I prefer to write with this, better as a separate sentence.

Finally, how to get rid of this beauty. 🙂

Books that were printed before 1600 are rare and valuable. Tuesday is the only day that is possible for the meeting. Here are some cells that the researcher has identified.

(NB: who/which/that + have cannot be replaced like this: We need to talk about some problems that have arises during the operation).

You should also remember that the phrase after which/who/that refers to the word that comes before it. Accordingly, if this is not the case in a Russian phrase, it is better to construct the translation in such a way as to avoid ambiguity. Here are a couple of fun examples on the subject:

The man who spoke French… The dog that bit me… Let's add additional information about the man and the dog, forgetting that it is impossible to separate the defined word and that/who: The man on the horse who spoke French… The dog sitting near the building that bit me… 😀

So remember the polyglot horse and only put who/that after the word they refer to!

Relative clauses

What is it and how to use it?

Relative clause - or in Russian a attributive clause - is part of a complex sentence that depends on the main one. It usually combines two small sentences into one or simply adds new interesting information to make it clearer, let's see an example.

I have a mother who works as a doctor. - I have a mother who works as a doctor.

I missed the bus that was going to take me to church. - I missed the bus that was supposed to take me to church.

Defining relative clauses

Defining relative clauses provide important information about

Compare:

1. My sister, who lives in London, is coming to Paris.

2. My sister who lives in London is coming to Paris.

In the first sentence, subordinate clausewho lives in Londonis a non-defining relative clause. This subordinate clause provides additional information: I have only one sister and she lives in London. If we omit the information about where my sister lives, it will still be clear what we want to say.

The second sentence is a defining relative clause: I have several sisters, and at the moment I am talking about the sister who lives in London.

In defining relative clauses we can omit the linking word

I "ve eaten the pasta (which) I made yesterday.

Restrictive subordinate clauses are not separated by commas when writing.

Non-defining relative clauses

Non-defining relatives give additional information about the subject. In this case, the subordinate clause is separated by commas on both sides.

That project, which I started years ago, still isn't finished.

Exercises.

1 .

1. That is the shop ____ was awarded as the best shop in the city. 2. The girl ____ brother go with me to the gym is a good singer. 3. The man ____ broke into our house was caught in two days. 4. She visits her grandmother ____ lives in countryside every summer. 5. She was wearing a dress ___ looked like princess’. 6. The bookshelf ____ we bought last week has broken down. 7. The man ___ was sitting on the bench turned around and saw his granddaughter. 8. A woman ____ son was crying paid no attention to him. 9. The woman ____ car had broken down on her way home spend 3 hours waiting for help. 10. My best friend ____ I have known for years will never let me down. 11. He didn’t follow the instructions ____ he was given, so he failed to pass the test. 12. The girl ___ lived next door was very shy and couldn’t say a word to protect herself at school. 13. I need to buy a laptop ____ can work up to 5 hours without a charger. 14. My father ___ is a doctor has no idea how to repair a car. 15. The photo ____ is placed on the mantel was taken at the picnic two years ago.

2. Use the appropriate relative pronoun.who, which, that, when, why, whereorwhose.

His sister, … name is Lara, works at the library.

Her last film, … I couldn’t understand at all, was a great success.

Give him something... will take away the pain.

I work in the town… my son lives.

We'll show you the poem... changed my life.

Doctors, … claim money, are shameless.

Is there a shop near here… sells milk?

That’s the main reason…I came to you.

I’ll never forget my childhood… I was so happy.

People... live in flats shouldn't have animals.

The car…he bought last month is fantastic.

This is the most beautiful waterfall…we have ever seen!

3. Connect the sentences using subordinate clauses.

For example: My dad works in a factory. It makes parts for computers. (My father works in a factory. It produces parts for computers.) – The factory... makes parts for computers. – The factory where my dad works makes parts for computers. (The factory where my father works makes computer parts.)

There is a bakery near my house. It sells wonderful pies. – The bakery…sells wonderful pies.

They lived in a cottage. It was struck by lightning. – The cottage... was struck by lightning.

Jane made a seafood salad. Nobody likes it. – Nobody likes the salad….

Jack is an architect. He designed the Opera House. – Jack is the architect… .

The woman didn’t apologize. Her cat bit me. – The woman...didn’t apologize.

Madonna is a famous American singer. Her parents were born in Italy. – Madonna... is a famous American singer.

The apartment is the biggest in the house. The lawyer lives there. – The apartment … is the biggest in the house.

We play tennis in a sports centre. It is very expensive. – The sports center… is very expensive.

Answers

1. which 2. whose 3. who 4. who 5. that 6. that 7. who 8. whose 9. whose 10. whom 11. that 12. who 13. that 14. who 15. that

whose (His sister, whose name is Lara, works in the library.)

which/that (Her last film, which I didn't understand at all, was a big success.)

that (Give me something to relieve the pain.)

where (I work in the city where my son lives.)

which/that (We'll show you the poem that changed my life.)

who (Doctors who demand money are unscrupulous.)

that/which (Is there a store nearby that sells milk?)

why (This is the main reason why I came to you.)

when (I will never forget my childhood, when I was so happy.)

who (People living in apartments should not have animals.)

which/that (The car he bought last month is fantastic.)

that (This is the most beautiful waterfall we have ever seen!)

The bakery which is near my house sells wonderful pies. (The bakery located near my house sells excellent pies.)

The cottage where they lived was struck by lightning. (The cottage they lived in was struck by lightning.)

Nobody likes the salad which Jane made. (Nobody likes the salad Jane made.)

Jack is the architect who designed the Opera House. (Jack is the architect who designed the Opera House.)

The woman whose cat bit me didn’t apologize. (The woman whose cat bit me did not apologize.)

Madonna, whose parents were born in Italy, is a famous American singer. (Madonna, whose parents were born in Italy, is a famous American singer.)

The apartment where the lawyer lives is the biggest in the house. (The apartment in which the lawyer lives is the largest in the house.)

The sports center where we play tennis is very expensive. (The sports center where we play tennis is very expensive.)

Answers:

neither (We asked both of them, but neither of them knows his address.)

either (He lived in Milan and Madrid, but he did not like either city.)

either – or (She is very slim. I think she is either an athlete or a model.)

either – or (Anna never works all day. She works either in the morning or in the afternoon.)

either (He has 2 cars, but I don't like either of them.)

both (She couldn't make her choice, she liked them both.)

either (You can go to Oxford either by bus or by train.)

Either (Will you have fish or chicken? – It doesn’t matter. Either one or the other will do.)

(Will you have apple juice or orange juice? – Neither, thank you. I don’t like juice.)

(Will you have a salad or a steak? – Both. I’m so hungry.)

either (Isn't he using one of the phones?)

neither – nor (My old grandmother could neither read nor write.)

Neither (None of them invited me, so I didn't go there.)

both (You should keep both hands on the steering wheel.)

either (I don't like horror movies, and neither does my husband.)

Both (Both mom and dad have green eyes.)

neither (I asked two friends to help me with the test, but neither of them knew the answer.)

either (Her dress was either black or brown.)

either (Ask Fred or Linda to buy some milk.)

neither – nor (We can’t meet today or tomorrow. I’m terribly busy.)

Either, neither, both

To move on to a more detailed consideration of this topic, study them translations of these conjunctions:

neither... nor - neither... nor;

either ... or - or ... or, either ... or;

both ... and - and... and, both... and.

Now let's study each of these combinations separately.


Neither... nor - neither... nor

This conjunction is negative and serves to connect homogeneous members of a sentence. To make it clearer, consider a few examples.

NeitherKatenorher friend answered the question (the conjunction connects subjects) - Neither Katya nor her friend answered the question.

We broughtneitherbooksnorcopy-books (alliance connect additions) - We didn't bring any books or notebooks.

We mustn'tneitherhelpnorlend the money to John (conjunction connects predicates) - We are not obliged to help or lend money to John.

We boughtneitheroldnornew flat (conjunction connects definitions) - We have not bought either the old or the new apartment.

Please note that the unionneither ... norconnects any members of a sentence: these can be subjects, definitions, objects, predicates, etc.

It should be remembered that the combinationneither ... noroften serves to connect subjects, then the predicate agrees with the nearest subject. But this rule is usually not observed, and the predicate is put in the plural, as shown in the examples above.

Consider this note with an example.

Neithermy friendsnorKate wantsto go to a party - Neither my friends nor Katya want to go to a party (the predicate agrees with the nearest subject).

Neithermy friendsnorKate want to go to a party - Neither my friends nor Katya want to go to a party (the predicate is in the plural - this translation option is usually used).

It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that in an English sentence there can only be one negation, and since the conjunctionneither ... nor - negative, the predicate in a sentence must always be affirmative. This can be seen from all the above examples.

Ifneither

Study the example.

Weneithersent the parcelnorthe letter - We have not sent either the parcel or the letter.

Either... or - or... or, either... or

This conjunction is used in affirmative sentences, connecting homogeneous members. Unlike the conjunction neither...nor,either ... or, connecting subjects, agrees with the nearest of them.

To make the use of this conjunction more clear, study several examples.

Eitherour classmates,oryour friendhascomplained to the teacher - Either our classmates, or your friend complained to the teacher.

Ifeitherdoes not refer to the subject, then it can be placed before the predicate verb.

They willeitherbuild a restaurantora shopping center in this district - They will build either a restaurant or a shopping center in this district.

If the sentence is negative, then the conjunctioneither ... orcan act as a unionneither ... nor.

Study the example.

We didn't painteitherceilingorwall - We didn't paint either the ceiling or the wall.

Both... and - and... and, both... and

This conjunction is used in affirmative sentences and connects homogeneous members of the sentence. If a conjunction connects subjects, then the predicate must be used in the plural.

Study some examples.

BothJohnandthat engineer refuse to work - Both John and that engineer refuse to work.

We sawboththe universityandthe school - We saw both the school and the university.

1. Choose the appropriate option from the brackets.

We have asked them both but … (neither/both) of them knows his address.

He has lived in Milan and Madrid but he didn’t like … (either/neither) of the cities much.

She is very slim. I think she is … (either/neither) a sportsman … (or/nor) a model.

Anna never works all day. She works … (either/neither) in the morning … (or/nor) after lunch.

He has 2 cars, but I don't like … (either/neither) of them.

She couldn't choose between them, she liked them ... (both/either).

You can take … (either/neither) a bus or a train to get to Oxford.

Would you like fish or chicken? - It doesn’t matter. … (Either/Both) will do for me.

Would you like apple juice or orange juice? - … (Either/Neither), thanks. I don't like juice.

Would you like some salad or some steak? - ... (Either/Both). I'm so hungry.

Doesn’t he use … (either/neither) of his phones?

My old granny could... (either/neither) read... (or/nor) write.

… (Either/Neither) of them invited me, so I didn’t go there.

You should keep … (either/both) hands on the steering wheel.

I don’t like horror films, and my husband doesn’t like … (either/neither).

… (Either/Both) my mother and father have green eyes.

I asked two friends to help me with the test, but … (either/neither) of them knew the answer.

Her dress was… (either/both) black or brown.

Please ask … (either/neither) Fred or Linda to buy some milk.

We can meet … (either/neither) today … (or/nor) tomorrow. I am terribly busy.

Fill in the gaps and complete the sentences. Use either... or, neither... nor, both... and.

1. I drink... coffee... hot chocolate.
 2. I didn't like the new book. It was ... interesting ... useful.
 3. I invited two friends, but ... Liz ... Jane could come to the .
 4. Granny promised me a nice dessert. It will be ... a chocolate cake ... an apple pie.
 5. Last year I visited ... London ... St Petersburg.
 6. Alex will phone me ... at five o "clock ... at six o" clock.
 7. No, thank you. I"ll have ... tea ... coffee.

8. - Did anybody come to see you last week?

Nobody did.... Julia... John was there.

9. - Have they arrived yet?

No, they haven't. But I expect them… today… tomorrow.

10. Borrow some money from your friends.... Ann... Mary will help you.

From your Russian language lessons you probably know that sentences can be simple or complex. Complex, in turn, are divided into complex and complex. For the former, both parts of the sentence are equal, while for the latter, one part is the main clause, and the second (or even several others) is a subordinate clause. “Wait, but what does the Russian have to do with it?” - you ask. The fact is that the English language has exactly the same types of sentences. And if everything is quite simple with simple and complex clauses, complex clauses and their subordinate clauses in the English language have their own characteristics, which we will talk about today.

Relative clauses in English: use

Complex sentences or complex sentences in English, as mentioned earlier, consist of 2 parts:

Almost always these parts can change places. In most cases they are separated by intonation, but sometimes the presence of a comma is acceptable. The peculiarity of subordinate clauses is that they cannot be used independently, since such clauses simply explain the main thing. Example:

Let's break down these proposals:

We hope that you have an idea of ​​what such a subordinate clause is. Now we can consider the types of subordinate clauses.

Types of subordinate clauses in English

There are 5 types of subordinate clauses in English:

1. The subject clause or subordinate clause performs the function of the subject, answers the questions “what? /Who?" and is introduced into the sentence by the conjunctions who, what, that, which, when, where, why, how, if / whether ).
   Examples:

1. The predicative clause or subordinate clause of the predicate is used in the function of the nominal part of the predicate with the same conjunctions that were used for the case above:

1. The object clause or additional clauses answer the questions “what?”, “for what?”, “whom?”. Can be introduced by already known unions, although non-union cases are also possible:

Non-union joining occurs only when the conjunction that is implied:

1. The attributive clause or subordinate attributive clauses serve as a definition. They answer the question “which one?” To enter them, conjunctions are required: that (which), which (which is only for inanimate), who (which is only for animate), whose (whose), why (why), where (where):

1. The adverbial clause or adverbial circumstance. Perhaps the largest group of subordinate clauses, which is divided into the following subgroups:

• Subordinate clauses that are introduced using where (where, where) and wherever (wherever / wherever):

• Subordinate clauses introduced by the conjunctions when (when), while (while), before (before), after (after), until / till (not yet / until), as soon as (as soon as), since (since):

• Subordinate reasons that are introduced using the conjunctions as (since), because (because), since (since):

• Subordinate objectives that use conjunctions that (to), in order that (in order to), so that (so that), lest (not to):

• Subordinate clauses of action and comparison are introduced using as if / though (as if), that (that), as (how):

• Subordinate concessions are introduced by the conjunctions although / though, whoever, however, whatever, no matter what / how, even though(although):

• Subordinate conditions that include the conjunctions if (if), unless (not yet), provided / in condition that (provided):