Relatiivilause

Relatiivilause, often translated as relative clause, is a type of subordinate clause that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It provides additional information about the noun it refers to, acting like an adjective. In many languages, relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns such as who, whom, whose, which, and that, or by relative adverbs like where, when, and why. These words connect the subordinate clause to the main clause and also function as grammatical elements within the relative clause itself.

There are two main types of relative clauses: restrictive and non-restrictive. Restrictive relative clauses are essential to the meaning of the noun they modify; they identify or specify which noun is being discussed. They are typically not set off by commas. For example, "The book that I am reading is fascinating." Here, "that I am reading" specifies which book.

Non-restrictive relative clauses, on the other hand, provide extra, non-essential information about a noun that is already clearly identified. They are set off by commas. For instance, "My brother, who lives in London, is visiting next week." The clause "who lives in London" adds information but isn't necessary to identify which brother is being discussed. Understanding relatiivilause is crucial for constructing complex sentences and for accurately interpreting meaning in various languages.