Relative Clauses

Reduced relative clauses and participial phrases

Introduction

Advanced writers reduce relative clauses to participial phrases for conciseness. "The man who is standing there" becomes "The man standing there." This creates more elegant, flowing prose.

Understanding when and how to reduce clauses—and when you cannot—is a mark of advanced proficiency. These structures are common in formal writing and journalism.

Mastering reduced relatives makes your writing more concise and sophisticated.

Themes

All Grammar (Basic) in This Chapter (9)

• Reduced Relative Clauses Shortening relative clauses by removing relative pronoun and verb
• Sentential Relative Clauses Relative clauses referring to entire sentences
• whom in Formal Contexts Correct use of whom in relative and interrogative clauses
• Nominal Relative Clauses Relative clauses that function as nouns
• Prepositions with Relative Pronouns Formal placement of prepositions in relative clauses
• Reduced Relatives (Present Participle) Shortening relative clauses with -ing
• Reduced Relatives (Past Participle) Shortening passive relative clauses
• Absolute constructions Participle clauses with their own subject
• Avoiding dangling participles Ensuring participle clauses have correct subjects