Language Tip 3
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AbelSanchezALanguage Tip 3
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AbelSanchezALanguage tip #3
Relative clauses 1: that, which and commas (and who too)
Take‐home message: Use that (or occasionally which) for restrictive relative
clauses; but use which, preceded by a comma, for nonrestrictive relative clauses.
A relative clause is a kind of dependent clause that modifies a noun phrase.
Relative clauses are commonly introduced by relative pronouns, the most
important ones being that, which and the personal pronoun who. In Spanish,
the equivalent function of these words is carried by que or lo cual.
Relative clauses can be restrictive (defining) or nonrestrictive (nondefining).
Restrictive: Noun phrase Relative clause
Apples that are stored in the dark last longer.
As the name suggests, a restrictive relative clause restricts and defines the
meaning of the noun phrase it modifies. So in the example, we are not talking
about all apples, but only those that are stored in the dark.
Note that, because the restrictive relative clause is an integral part of the noun
phrase it modifies, it is NOT separated from the main clause by commas.
If you remove a restrictive relative clause, the meaning of the main clause will
be altered, and possibly rendered nonsense:
Apples last longer.
An impersonal restrictive relative clause can be introduced with either ‘that’ or
‘which’. It is generally better to use ‘that’, but sometimes you might prefer
‘which’ in order to avoid a ‘that ... that’ grouping:
Complementizer Relative pronoun
Accumulated evidence suggests that the genes that/which
regulate self‐renewal in normal stem cells perform the same function
in cancer stem cells.
Language tip #3
Nonrestrictive: Noun phrase Comma Relative clause Comma
Apples, which were possibly the first cultivated fruit, are a recurring
motif in creation myths.
A nonrestrictive relative clause does not restrict the meaning of the noun
phrase. Instead it adds supplementary information that enriches our
understanding of it. So in the example, the relative clause provides information
about apples in general.
A nonrestrictive relative clause MUST be separated by a comma from the noun
phrase it modifies. And if the clause is inserted in the middle of the sentence,
there MUST be a comma after it.
If you remove a nonrestrictive relative clause, the main clause still makes the
same sense:
Apples are a recurring motif in creation myths.
For impersonal nonrestrictive clauses, you must use ‘which’, together with the
required commas; you CANNOT use ‘that’.
Thus, for impersonal relative clauses, we tend to use ‘that’ for restrictive
clauses and must use ‘which’ for nonrestrictive clauses. However, what truly
identifies a relative clause as restrictive or nonrestrictive is the use of commas.
This is perhaps better illustrated with the personal relative pronoun ‘who’,
since here there is no alternative word:
Restrictive: Spanish scientists who struggle with English face many problems.
Meaning: Some Spanish scientists struggle with English, and these
people face problems because of this.
Nonrestrictive: Spanish scientists, who struggle with English, face many problems.
Meaning: All Spanish scientists struggle with English, and they all face
problems because of this.
Language tip #3
Still not sure?
Check your text against the following examples:
Correct
Restrictive: PcG genes that regulate self‐renewal in stem cells perform a similar
function in cancer stem cells.
PcG genes which regulate self‐renewal in stem cells perform a similar
function in cancer stem cells.
Both sentences are grammatically correct, and in both the relative clause
makes a statement about a subset of PcG genes. These sentences could be
scientifically correct if it’s true that only some PcG genes regulate self‐renewal
in stem cells. It is generally better to use ‘that’ for a restrictive relative clause.
Note that there are NO COMMAS.
Nonrestrictive: PcG genes, which regulate self‐renewal in stem cells, perform a similar
function in cancer stem cells.
Here the nonrestrictive relative clause, flanked by commas and introduced by
‘which’, makes a statement about all PcG genes. Notice how the mere
presence of commas radically changes the meaning.
Incorrect
PcG genes, that regulate self‐renewal in normal stem cells, perform a
similar function in cancer stem cells.
The commas indicate a nonrestrictive clause, but ‘that’ can only introduce a
restrictive clause. What is the author’s intention? Either the commas have to
go (making a restrictive clause) or ‘that’ must be changed to ‘which’ (making a
nonrestrictive clause).
PcG genes, which regulate self‐renewal in normal stem cells‐perform a
similar function in cancer stem cells.
Here there might be a comma missing from the end of a nonrestrictive clause,
or perhaps the comma at the beginning should be removed to create a
restrictive clause. Only the author can tell.
PcG genes that regulate self‐renewal in normal stem cells, perform a
similar function in cancer stem cells.
If we assume that the author intended a restrictive relative clause, the comma
is incorrect (an example of the ‘comma after subject’ error).