What is the function of 'whose' in non-defining relative clauses?

Relative Clauses Questions Long



62 Short 71 Medium 80 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is the function of 'whose' in non-defining relative clauses?

In non-defining relative clauses, the function of 'whose' is to indicate possession or ownership. It is used to refer to a person or thing and show that something belongs to or is associated with that person or thing. 'Whose' is a possessive pronoun that introduces the relative clause and connects it to the noun it modifies.

For example, consider the sentence: "John, whose car was stolen, reported the incident to the police." Here, 'whose' is used to show that the car belongs to John. It provides additional information about John and his car, but it does not define or identify him. The relative clause "whose car was stolen" is non-defining because it is not essential to the meaning of the sentence; it simply adds extra information.

In summary, the function of 'whose' in non-defining relative clauses is to indicate possession or ownership and connect the relative clause to the noun it modifies.