supplementary relative clause

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word supplementary relative clause. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word supplementary relative clause, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say supplementary relative clause in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word supplementary relative clause you have here. The definition of the word supplementary relative clause will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofsupplementary relative clause, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Examples
  • His sister Mary, who has been married five times, was left a considerable fortune.
  • The washing machine has broken down, which isn't good news.

Noun

supplementary relative clause (plural supplementary relative clauses)

  1. (grammar) A relative clause, usually set off by a comma or commas, that provides additional information about the person or thing referred to, or about a statement that has been made, as opposed to information that is essential to specifying or identifying who or what is meant.
    Synonyms: non-restrictive relative clause, non-defining relative clause
    Antonyms: integrated relative clause, restrictive relative clause, defining relative clause
    Hypernyms: supplement; relative clause < subordinate clause < clause
    • 2024, Geoffrey K. Pullum, The Truth About English Grammar, Polity Press, →ISBN, page 112:
      Supplementary relative clauses (which other books call “appositive relatives” or “non-restrictive relatives”) are optional parenthetical interruptions of sentences. They can always be left out without changing the main assertion (though the ancillary information they contribute will be gone). The most important thing to remember about them in writing is that they must be separated off by punctuation, typically commas: The duke, [who the organizers had hoped __ would present the award], was unable to attend owing to illness.