Is Adjective a Relative Adjective?

Relative adjectives are a specific type of adjective that introduce a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun. These adjectives are called “relative” because they relate to a noun that has been mentioned previously in the sentence. Understanding the role and usage of relative adjectives is crucial for mastering English grammar and composition.

What are Relative Adjectives?

Relative adjectives are a category of adjectives that serve to introduce a relative clause. A relative clause is a dependent clause that provides extra information about a noun or pronoun. Relative adjectives are used to connect the relative clause to the noun or pronoun it modifies.

The key characteristics of relative adjectives are:

1. Introduce a Relative Clause: Relative adjectives are used to introduce a relative clause, which is a dependent clause that provides additional information about a noun or pronoun.
2. Relate to a Previous Noun: Relative adjectives relate to a noun or pronoun that has been mentioned earlier in the sentence.
3. Examples: Common examples of relative adjectives include “whose,” “what,” “which,” “whichever,” and “whatever.”

Examples of Relative Adjectives

Let’s look at some examples to better understand how relative adjectives function:

1. Whose:
2. Example: “The student, whose essay won the competition, was awarded a scholarship.”

3. In this sentence, “whose” is the relative adjective that introduces the relative clause “whose essay won the competition,” providing additional information about the noun “the student.”

4. What:

5. Example: “Do you know what languages he speaks?”

6. Here, “what” is the relative adjective that introduces the relative clause “what languages he speaks.”

7. Which:

8. Example: “The book, which was published last year, is a bestseller.”

9. In this case, “which” is the relative adjective that introduces the relative clause “which was published last year.”

10. Whichever and Whatever:

11. Example: “Whichever team wins, they will be champions.”
12. Example: “Whatever decision you make, I will support you.”
13. In these examples, “whichever” and “whatever” are the relative adjectives that introduce the relative clauses “whichever team wins” and “whatever decision you make,” respectively.

Identifying Relative Adjectives

To identify a relative adjective, look for an adjective that is introducing a relative clause. The relative clause will provide additional information about a noun or pronoun that has been mentioned earlier in the sentence.

Here are some key steps to identify relative adjectives:

1. Identify the noun or pronoun that the relative clause is modifying.
2. Look for an adjective that is introducing the relative clause.
3. Determine if the adjective is “relating” the relative clause back to the previously mentioned noun or pronoun.

If the adjective meets these criteria, then it is a relative adjective.

Relative Adjectives vs. Relative Pronouns

It’s important to distinguish relative adjectives from relative pronouns, as they serve different grammatical functions.

Relative Pronouns:
– Relative pronouns, such as “who,” “whom,” “that,” and “which,” are used to introduce a relative clause and serve as the subject or object of the relative clause.
– Relative pronouns are pronouns that replace a noun or pronoun in the relative clause.

Relative Adjectives:
– Relative adjectives, such as “whose,” “what,” “which,” “whichever,” and “whatever,” are used to introduce a relative clause and modify a noun or pronoun.
– Relative adjectives do not replace a noun or pronoun in the relative clause; instead, they relate the relative clause back to a previously mentioned noun or pronoun.

The key difference is that relative pronouns function as part of the relative clause, while relative adjectives modify the noun or pronoun that the relative clause describes.

Relative Adjectives in Compound Sentences

Relative adjectives can also be used in compound sentences to connect two independent clauses. In this case, the relative adjective introduces a relative clause that provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in the second independent clause.

Example:
– “The company, whose products are sold worldwide, has announced a new line of eco-friendly items.”
– In this sentence, “whose” is the relative adjective that introduces the relative clause “whose products are sold worldwide,” which provides additional information about the noun “the company” in the first independent clause.

Relative Adjectives in Complex Sentences

Relative adjectives can also be used in complex sentences, where the relative clause is embedded within a larger sentence structure.

Example:
– “The student, whose essay on the topic of renewable energy was selected for publication, received a commendation from the dean.”
– In this complex sentence, the relative clause “whose essay on the topic of renewable energy was selected for publication” is introduced by the relative adjective “whose” and provides additional information about the noun “the student.”

Conclusion

Relative adjectives are a crucial component of English grammar, as they allow writers to provide additional context and information about nouns and pronouns. By understanding the role and usage of relative adjectives, students and writers can enhance their ability to craft clear, concise, and informative sentences.

References:

1. Linguapress.com. (n.d.). Relative Pronouns. [online] Available at: https://linguapress.com/grammar/relative-pronouns.htm [Accessed 25 Apr. 2023].
2. Grammarly. (2020). Adjective Clause: What It Is and How to Use It. [online] Available at: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/adjective-clause/ [Accessed 25 Apr. 2023].
3. The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (n.d.). Relative Clauses. [online] Available at: https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/relative-clauses/ [Accessed 25 Apr. 2023].
4. LibreTexts. (2020). Relative Adjective Clauses. [online] Available at: https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Languages/English_as_a_Second_Language/ESL_Grammar_The_Way_You_Like_It_%28Bissonnette%29/04%3A_Book_4/4.07%3A_Relative__Adjective_Clauses [Accessed 25 Apr. 2023].
5. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Definition of relative adjective. [online] Available at: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relative%20adjective [Accessed 25 Apr. 2023].