Relative clause

Definition

A subordinate clause functioning as a modifier of an NP.

It has an antecedent.

It contains a gap or dependency linked to that antecedent.

Headed by a relative word (relative pronoun or relative adverb) or is bare.

Examples

> the claim that she made

→ that she made = relative clause, modifying claim

> the place where we met

→ where we met = relative clause modifying place

Key properties

• Cannot substitute for an NP.

• Always modifies an NP.

• Involves an anaphoric dependency.

When you can drop a relative pronoun

Clause type	Pronoun role	Can you drop it?	Example
Restrictive	Subject	❌ No	The person who called you…
Restrictive	Object	✅ Yes	The book (that) I read…
Non-restrictive	Subject	❌ No	My uncle, who lives in Paris…
Non-restrictive	Object	❌ No (in standard English)	My uncle, whom I met yesterday…

Ways to Introduce Relative Clauses in CGEL

In CGEL, a relative clause can be introduced by a few different types of heads, depending on whether the clause modifies an NP and what role its internal constituents play. The main ones are:

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1. Relative Pronouns

• Function: Serve as the subject, object, or complement inside the relative clause and link it to the antecedent NP.

• Common forms: who, whom, whose, which, that

• Examples:

  1. The man who arrived yesterday is my uncle. → who = subject of relative clause

  2. The book that I read was fascinating. → that = object of relative clause

  3. The girl whose bike was stolen is upset. → whose = possessive determiner

Notes:

• Relative pronouns are obligatory when the antecedent is explicitly marked as subject/object in the clause.

• That can function as a general relative pronoun for humans or things, without distinction of case.

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2. Relative Adverbs

• Already discussed: where, when, why

• Function: Serve as the adverbial head of the relative clause; link it to a time, place, or reason antecedent.

• Restriction: They cannot serve as subjects or objects; they act adverbially inside the relative clause.

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3. Zero or Ø Relative

• Function: Relative clause introduced with no overt relative pronoun or adverb.

• Often called a “gap” relative or bare relative in CGEL.

• Examples:

  1. The book I read was fascinating. → Ø (no relative pronoun), object role filled by gap

  2. The people we met were friendly. → Ø, object of met

Notes:

• Usually occurs when the relative pronoun would be the object of the clause and can be omitted.

• The gap is co-indexed with the antecedent NP.

• CGEL treats this as syntactically fully grammatical and a common alternative to overt pronouns.

4. Other Possibilities (less common in standard English)

• Sometimes “as” in certain comparative relatives:

  • He is taller than I am. → comparative clause

• But generally, relative clauses are introduced by:

  1. Relative pronouns → for NP-subject, object, or possessive functions

  2. Relative adverbs → for time, place, reason

  3. Zero relative → gaps where object is understood