In this post I am going to explain the difference between relative and subordinate clauses.
Relative Clause
A relative clause is introduced by a relative pronoun:
- who
- whom
- whose
- when
- where
- that
- which
`who is clever` is the relative clause. It is introduced by the relative pronoun `who`.
`which is a pain to maintain` is the relative clause.
Relative Adverb Clause
A relative clause introduced by a relative adverb:
- when
- where
- why
`why John ate` is the relative adverb clause.
A simpler example:
`when we first met` is the relative adverb clause.Subordinate/dependent clause
A subordinate, or dependent clause is a way of joining a subordinate clause to the main clause. The subordinate clause can come before or after the main clause. It is introduced by a conjunction or relative pronoun.
In the above `After` is the conjunction and `After he ate` is the subordinate clause.
`because` is the conjunction and `because he was bored` is the subordinate clause.
Complementizer
A complementizer is a word used to turn a clause into a subject or object.
`it is raining` is a clause, and using `that` turns it into the object of `believes`. (If not already obvious, `that` is the complementizer in this sentence).
http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/g/relativeadverbterm.htm http://www.edufind.com/english-grammar/relative-adverbs/
