Relative Clauses Questions Medium
Relative clauses and adverbial clauses are both types of dependent clauses that provide additional information in a sentence. However, there are some key differences between the two.
Relative clauses, also known as adjective clauses, function as modifiers and provide more information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. They are introduced by relative pronouns (such as who, whom, whose, which, or that) or relative adverbs (such as when, where, or why). Relative clauses can be essential (restrictive) or non-essential (non-restrictive). Essential relative clauses provide necessary information to identify the noun or pronoun they modify, and they are not separated by commas. Non-essential relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information and are separated by commas.
Example of a relative clause:
"The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting."
Adverbial clauses, on the other hand, function as adverbs and provide information about the verb, adjective, or adverb in the main clause. They answer questions such as how, when, where, why, or to what extent. Adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions (such as because, although, if, when, or where). They can indicate time, place, manner, condition, reason, purpose, or contrast.
Example of an adverbial clause:
"I will go to the party if I finish my work on time."
In summary, the main difference between relative clauses and adverbial clauses lies in their function and the type of information they provide. Relative clauses modify nouns or pronouns, while adverbial clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.