Like relative pronouns, relative adverbs, too, are used to introduce relative clauses. Also, clauses introduced by relative adverbs are called Adjective clauses. To form various mixed and complex sentences it becomes essential to learn relative clauses formed with the help of relative adverbs. So let’s start our blog “relative clauses by relative adverbs”.
Understanding relative clauses and relative adverbs
1. Relative adverbs are certain types of adverbs used to introduce relative clauses.
2. They add extra information relating time, place, reason, etc. in the main clause of sentence.
3. Role of antecedents is very vital in their functioning.
Examples of relative adverbs and relative clauses
Same words are used to introduce Wh questions. But, here, these are used to connect two clauses — main and subordinating clauses.
Where, When,
Why, How
Here are some useful examples.
- This is the place where I learnt to drive
- I think it was Sunday, when we went for picnic.
- August 15th is the day when India got freedom.
- June, when monsoon arrives, is the best month to swim.
- Antarctica where temperature is too low is the best place for polar bear.
- Equatorial region, where rainfall is heavy, is the difficult place to live.
- The Sevagram Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi lived is a very inspirational place.
- I think there must be some problem why she refused to go.
- I don’t know the reason why he is upset?
- Do you know how the recipe is prepared?
- Can you teach me the method how swimming is mastered?
These adverbs look like interrogative adverbs but they do the work of relating two clauses – Main and dependent clause.
- I don’t know the reason why he is upset?
- Do you know how the recipe is prepared?
- Can you teach me the method how swimming is mastered?
- Nobody knows how weight is reduced?
- You are unaware about the reason why he is absent
Interlink between relative adverbs and adjective clauses
Clauses introduced by these adverbs are generally called “Adjective clauses” as they work like adjectives in the given sentence.
In the following examples, clauses introduced by these adverbs play the role of adjectives clauses.
- This is the island where captain Cook made his sojourn.
- Nobody knows the reason why did captain abort this mission.
- August 15th is the day when India got freedom.
- Antarctica where temperature is too low is the best place for polar bear.
- The Sevagram Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi lived is a very inspirational place.
I) Where, when, why, and how are used to join two clauses by relating antecedents
This is the place where I learnt to drive
The Sevagram Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi lived is a very inspirational place.
In above examples, nouns “place” and “Sevagram Ashram” are related by where relative adverbs.
II) Use of Relative adverbs as – restrictive and non-restrictive clauses.
This is the place where I learned to drive.
August 15th is the day when India got freedom.
Antarctica where temperature is too low is the best place for polar bear.
The Sevagram Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi lived is a very inspirational place.
I think there must be some problem why she refused to go.
I don’t know the reason why he is upset?
Do you know how the recipe is prepared?
Can you teach me the method how swimming is mastered?
Though these adverbs looks like interrogative adverbs, but do the work of relating two clauses.
Difference between restrictive and non restrictive relative clauses
Restrictive relative clauses means adding essential information to the antecedents; whereas, non-restrictive relative clauses means adding mere extra information.
In case of restrictive relative clauses, these clauses give us extra essential information about identified noun as antecedents.
On the other hand, in non restrictive relative clauses non essential extra information is added in an sentence. Removal of such information and clause will not affect the essence of the original sentence. Generally, non restrictive clauses are introduced by relative adverb “which” preceded by comma.
Some useful examples of restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses introduced by relative adverbs:–
- This is the place where I learnt to drive. (restrictive clause)
- I think it was Sunday, when we went for picnic. (non-restrictive clause)
- August 15th is the day when India got freedom. (restrictive clause)
- June, when monsoon arrives, is the best month to swim. (broken clause)
- Antarctica where temperature is too low is the best place for polar bear. (restrictive clause)
- I don’t know the reason why he is upset ?(restrictive clause)
- Do you know how the recipe is prepared?(restrictive clause)
Like relative adverbs, relative pronouns, too introduce relative or adjective clauses. You may go through our blog Noun Clause And Adjective Clause for deeper insight.
So far, we have learnt how relative adverbs play the role of subordinating conjunctions to join two clauses like main and depending clauses.
By reading this subject matter, you can easily master the adjective clause.
A guide to subordinating conjunctions
for reference:
https://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/Relative%20Clauses.pdf