What is the difference between a relative clause and a subordinate clause?

Relative Clauses Questions



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What is the difference between a relative clause and a subordinate clause?

The main difference between a relative clause and a subordinate clause is their function within a sentence.

A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. It is usually introduced by a relative pronoun (such as who, which, that, whom, or whose) or a relative adverb (such as when, where, or why). Relative clauses are used to add descriptive or identifying information to the noun or pronoun they modify.

On the other hand, a subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and functions as a dependent clause within a sentence. Subordinate clauses can serve various purposes, such as expressing time, cause and effect, condition, contrast, or concession. Unlike relative clauses, subordinate clauses do not specifically modify a noun or pronoun in the main clause, but rather provide additional information or context to the main clause.