6. Grammar: Reduced Relative Clauses

There are two ways of categorizing relative clauses. The most common way is to distinguish between those called “defining” and those called “non-defining”, as discussed in Section 5 above. This distinction refers to the fact that defining relative clauses are necessary to identify/understand the noun they refer to, and non-defining relative clauses are not necessary to identify the noun, but give extra information about it.

 

Examples:

Defining (no commas): The man who wrote the book is going to speak. (the relative clause identifies which man)

Non-defining (commas): My father, who wrote the book, is going to speak. (the relative clause gives extra info because the subject – father – is already clearly identified)

 

These clauses usually immediately follow the noun they modify.

You learned about defining and non-defining relative clauses in Section 5 above. However, there is another way to distinguish between types of relative clauses: those that modify (refer to, identify) one noun (see line A in the table below) and those that refer to the entire preceding clause, i.e. the information that is in that clause (see line B in the table below). This section (Section 6) compares these two types of relative clauses and explains how they can be reduced by using the present participle (see the sentences in italics in the table below). You learned some basics about the use of the present participle (-ing form) of verbs in Unit 2b, but now you are going to study its use in the reductions of relative clauses in more detail. Study the table below carefully and then read this detailed explanation.

 

Two separate sentences

Two separate sentences

 

Tests have been carried out successfully. They (These tests) confirm that all components are working properly.

ABS stands for “anti-lock braking system”. It (ABS) is a standard part of every car.

 

 

Tests have been carried out successfully. This (The result of these tests) confirms that all components are working properly.

 

 

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Relative Clauses

 

Defining Relative Clauses

Non-Defining Relative Clauses

(A) Relative clauses modifying a noun

1) Tests which confirm that all components are working properly have been carried out successfully.

Tests confirming that all components are working properly have been carried out successfully.

2) ABS, which stands for “anti-lock braking system”, is a standard part of every car.

ABS, standing for “anti-lock braking system,” is a standard part of every car.

(B) Relative clauses referring to the info in the whole main clause

 

 

--

(Never a defining clause).

3) Tests have been carried out successfully, which confirms that all components are working properly.

Tests have been carried out successfully, confirming that all components are working properly.

 

Now, let´s practise this grammar point to see if you understand it fully and can use it freely without hesitation. The table above gives an overview of types of sentences you are going to practise. In tasks A, B and C, you will practice the type illustrated in box 1 of the table. You can either do all the three tasks, or just some of them, depending on how much practice you need to be able to use this grammar point automatically. Task D is a combination of sentence types from boxes 1 and 2. Task E combines sentence types exemplified in all three boxes. In addition, the context in this task is technical, not general.