Relative clause

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A relative clause is a clause that is used to narrow the reference of a referential phrase and in which the referent of the phrase plays a semantic role. It is introduced by a relative pronoun and which modifies its NP antecedent.

Example

(i) The Ferrari [which I can't afford e]

In this example the Ferrari is the antecedent of the relative clause which I can't afford e, and which is the relative pronoun. The relative clause always contains a gap - e - which is the trace of the relative pronoun. Movement of the relative pronoun is usually treated on a par with wh-movement. See Relativization, Restrictive Relative Clause.

Subtypes

• restrictive relative clause
• appositive relative clause
• contact relative clause

Origin

The term relative goes back to the 16th century in English, but at the time in connection with relative pronouns.

Links

Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics

References

• Smits, R.J.C. 1989. The relative and cleft constructions of the Germanic and Romance languages, doct. diss. KUB, Tilburg, Dordrecht: Foris, 1988.

Other languages

German Relativsatz