Relative clauses are word groups that have a subject and a verb and begin with a relative pronoun:
- whose that which whichever
- who whoever
- whom whomever
- what whatever
Learning the abbreviation WTWW, WW, WW, WW will help to remember these. These are dependant clauses since they depend upon an independent clause to complete a thought and, therefore, a sentence. Relative pronouns are also conjunctions since they join parts of a sentence.
- That I have always wanted to visit.
- Which are green.
- Wherever I play every day.
They can also be fixed by adding more information. Remember, when you use the word that, you never use a comma.
- New York is a city that I have always wanted to visit.
However, you may or may not need a comma with who or which. If you need the information to understand the meaning of the sentence, you do not need a comma. If the information is just added in as extra information, you need to indicate this with commas.
- Oranges which are green should not be eaten.
- My guitar, which I play every day, was a gift from my father.
See Commas for more information on necessary (restrictive) and (nonrestrictive) clauses with who, which, and that.
