09级英教一班李小丽291608018
On Difference Between Restrictive Attributive Clause And Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause Abstract:There are various noun clauses, including subject clause, predictive clauses, object clauses and appositive clauses. They play different role in the sentences. But when we mentioned the noun clauses, I have to mention another clause which are called attributive clause. It can not only modify a noun, but also a sentence. It acts as different role in the sentence. And it is very common used in the sentence. So it is very important knowledge points when a English learner learns English. In addition, there are two types of attributive clauses which are called restrictive attributive and non-restrictive attributive. This paper analyses difference between restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause from four aspects: definition of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause, The usage of relatives pronouns and relative possessive words in restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause, The detail of relatives pronouns and relative possessive words’usage in restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause, The translation of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause, The function of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause, The form of non-restrictive attributive clause.
Key words: Restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause; relatives pronouns and relative possessive words; form; function; usage.
1 Introduction
As English learner, we all know that attributive clause plays the role of the attributive in compound sentence. In accordance with the attributive clause and its a ntecedent’s relationship, we can divide it into restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive clause. But how can we distinguish them? Now let me introduce how to distinguish between restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause. In order to distinguish them clearly, it can be into four parts, including, definition of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause, The usage of relatives pronouns and relative possessive words in restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause, The translation of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause, The function of Restrictive Attributive Clause and Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause, The form of Restrictive Attributive Clause and Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause.
2 Definition of Restrictive Attributive Clause and Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause
Restrictive Attributive Clause act as modify and restrict to its antecedent. Subordinate clause and object clause’s relationship are very closely so
that it is indispensable part of the main clause. If Subordinate clause is left out, the meaning of the object clause would be affected. In addition, it would not use the commas between subordinate clause and main clause. Compare: Those who reveal state secrets will be severely punished. The moon is a world that is completely still and where utter silence prevails. However, in Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause, subordinate clause and object clause’s relationship are not very closely. It only acts as additional explanation of the antecedent. Though it is left out, it won’t be affected the meaning of the object clause. A typical feature of Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause is that it is separated from its noun by a comma. Compare: My father, whom you met in Paris, is now back in London. Y ou, who are in the prime of your life, come forth with greater contributions for the benefit of the people!
3 relatives pronouns and relative possessive words
3 .1 The usage of relative pronouns and relative possessive words in Restrictive Attributive Clause And Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause
As all we known, both relative pronouns and relative possessive word can be used in Attributive clause. And the most common relative pronouns are who , whom, which and that. Who and whom are used for people; which is used for things. And that can be not only used for people but also things. When, where and why are relative possessive words. Both of them
can be used in restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause. In restrictive attributive clause, that can often (but not always) be used instead of whom or which, and quite often instead of who. Compare: The trumpet’s the instrument that really excites me. She’s the only person that understands me. In addition, when the relative pronouns and relative possessive words act as object. They can be left out. Compare: How much was it he stole? But in non-restrictive attributive clause, that can not be instead of anything. And the relative pronouns and relative possessive word can’t be left out when they act as object. Compare: Those people, whom we met yesterday, are staying near our house.
3.2 The detail of relatives pronouns and relative possessive words’usage in Restrictive Attributive Clause and Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause
In restrictive attributive clause, we very often use that instead of the other relative pronouns, especially in a conversational style. Compare: He’s the man that people like at the first sight. We also often leave out the relative pronoun if it is the object of the verb in the relative clause. This is extremely common in conversational English. Compare: Anything you say is all right with me. What’s more, prepositions can come either before relative pronouns or at the end of relative clauses. In conversational English, it is much more common to put prepositions at the end (and to leave out the pronoun).Compare: The people with whom he worked with
regarded him as eccentric. (Formal style) The people he worked with thought he was a bit strange. Note that after a preposition who and that are impossible; whom or which must be used (as in the first example) In addition, note that a restrictive attributive clause is not used after a noun which is already completely indentified by words. Compare: The house which I bought last year has got a lovely garden. or My house, which I bought last year has got a lovely garden. In Restrictive Attributive Clause, present and past tenses are sometimes used instead of future and conditional. Compare: I’ll give you anything you ask for. (Not: * . . . will ask for) I’d give you anything you asked for. (Not: * . . . would ask for) However, non-restrictive attributive clauses are rather unusual in conversation. They are often heavy and formal, and are much more common in written English. A non-restrictive attributive clause is separated from its noun by a comma (because it is not a necessary part of the meaning of the noun) If the sentence continues after the clause, there is another comma. For example; This is Mr Gallagber, who writes comic poetry. Smallpox, which once killed thousands of people every year, has now been wiped out. In non-restrictive attributive clauses, that cannot be used, and object pronouns cannot be left out. For example: I passed him a large glass of whisky which he drank immediately. What’s more, prepositions can come at the end of non-restrictive relative clauses (but in a formal style, they are usually put before the relative pronoun).Compare:
She spent all evening talking about her latest book, which none of us had ever heard of. Universal Agroplastics, of which Max Harrison was until recently the chairman, has made a loss of three million pounds this year. Furthermore, note that in non-restrictive attributive clauses, whom is quite often found. Compare: The small man in the raincoat, whom nobody recognized, turned out to be Olivia’s first husband. In non-restrictive attributive clauses, determiners (eg some, any, none, all, both, several, enough, many, and few) can be used with of whom and of which. Compare: It’s a family of eight children, all of whom are studying music. They picked up five boat-loads of refugees, some of whom had been at sea for two months. This structure is also possible with other expressions of quantity, and with superlatives. For example; a number of whom, three of which, half of which and so on.
4 The translation of Restrictive Attributive Clause and Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause
When we translate a restrictive attributive clause, we must translate the clause as the antecedent’s attributive. However, when we translate a non-restrictive attributive clause, we can translate it as the same as a clause which is range the same position as main clause.
5 The function of Restrictive Attributive Clause and Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause
Restrictive attributive clause only modify and restrict the antecedent.
Compare: I was the only person in my office who was invited. But non-restrictive attributive clause can not only modify the antecedent, but also modify all the subject. Compare: I was endeavoring to put off one sort of life for another sort of life, which was not better than the life I had known.
6The form of Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause
When the relative pronoun refers back to a person and is the subject of the non-defining relative clause, who is used, e.g:
The woman, who later died in hospital, has not yet been named.
When the relative pronoun refers back to a thing and is the subject of the non-defining relative clause, which is used, e.g:
This new project, which begins in September, will cost several million pounds.
When the relative pronoun refers back to a person and is the object of the non-defining relative clause, who or whom are used, e.g:
Her previous manager, who she had never liked, retired six months ago. Edward's brother, whom she later married, never spoke to his parents again.
Register note. As in defining relative clauses, whom is rather formal and would only be used in written English or formal spoken English.
When the relative pronoun refers back to a thing and is the object of the non-defining relative clause, which is used, e.g:
This bar of chocolate, which he devoured immediately, was the first thing he had eaten in two days.
Note that, unlike in defining relative clauses, there is no zero relative pronoun, i.e. the pronoun cannot be left out when it is functioning as the object of the relative clause, cf:
He was a distant cousin who/whom/that she had never met. (defining) He was a distant cousin she had never met. (defining)
A distant cousin, who/whom she had never met, was meeting her for lunch. (non-defining)
7 Conclusion
From what has been discussed above, we can see that relatives pronouns and relative possessive words play an very important role in restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause. So there is no doubt that it is one way to distinguish restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause through them. As for Chinese, the translation of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause may be another effected way to distinguish restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive clause. What’s more, the function of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause can also distinguish them. They play different role in the sentence. In addition, there are some tips about the form of non-restrictive attributive clause which will help you to learn restrictive attributive clause and
non-restrictive attributive clause. Thought it is hard for us to distinguish restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive clause. But some ways which mentioned in the paper will help to distinguish them.
参考文献：
（1）M·斯旺Practical English Usage（牛津英语用法指南）牛津大学出版社外语教学出版社，1992年2月第1版
(2)张震久，孙建民Modern English Grammar in Use （英语应用语法）北京大学出版社2006年8月弟1版
（3）Grammar book(语法大全) 喀什维吾尔文出版社2006年5月第1版
参考网址：Http://www cognitive grammar of Attributive Clause
On Difference Between Restrictive Attributive Clause And Non-Restrictive Attributive Clause
Outline
1 Introduction
I will explain why I write on difference between restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause. How I write it. The purpose of writing it is to make English learners learn it easily.
2 The detail of different between restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause
Firstly, I will write the definition of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause. Secondly, I will use the usage of relative pronouns and relative possessive words in restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause to approve their difference. Thirdly, the function of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause will become my material to distinguish them. In addition, the translation of restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause is part of material to support my article.
2 Conclusion
We can distinguish restrictive attributive clause and non-restrictive attributive clause through what we mentioned .
材料
在复合句中起定语作用的句子叫做定语从句（Attributive clause）。它类似形容词，修饰它前面的词即先行词（Antecedent）,所以也可称为形容词分句（Adjective clause）。这种惯用以关系或关系副词引导，还可称为（Relative clause）.
依照定语从句与它的先行词之间的关系可分为限制性定语从句与非限制性定语从句两种。
限制性定语从句对先行词起限定作用。从句与主句的关系很密切，它是主句不可缺少的部分，从句一旦省去，主句的意思就会受到影响，而且主句与从句间通常不用逗号。Those who reveal state secrets will be severely punished.
非限制性定语从句与先行词的关系不十分密切，只是对先行词加以说明、描述或解释，或对整个主句所陈述的事实或现象加以总结概括、补充说明，其前都有逗号分开。My father, whom you met in Paris, is now back in London. Y ou, who are in the prime of your life, come forth with greater contributions for the benefit of the people!
I was the only person in my office who was invited.
I was endeavoring to put off one sort of life for another sort of life, which was not better than the life I had known.
The trumpet’s the instrument that really excites me. She’s the only person that understands me.
Those people, whom we met yesterday, are staying near our house.
that can often (but not always) be used instead of whom or which, and quite often instead of who. Compare: The trumpet’s the instrument that really excites me. She’s the only person that understands me.
The form of non-defining relative clauses
When the relative pronoun refers back to a person and is the subject of the non-defining relative clause, who is used, e.g:
The woman, who later died in hospital, has not yet been named.
When the relative pronoun refers back to a thing and is the subject of the non-defining relative clause, which is used, e.g:
This new project, which begins in September, will cost several million pounds.
When the relative pronoun refers back to a person and is the object of the non-defining relative clause, who or whom are used, e.g:
Her previous manager, who she had never liked, retired six months ago. Edward's brother, whom she later married, never spoke to his parents again.
Register note. As in defining relative clauses, whom is rather formal and would only be used in written English or formal spoken English.
When the relative pronoun refers back to a thing and is the object of the non-defining relative clause, which is used, e.g:
This bar of chocolate, which he devoured immediately, was the first thing he had eaten in two days.
Note that, unlike in defining relative clauses, there is no zero relative pronoun, i.e. the pronoun cannot be left out when it is functioning as the object of the relative clause, cf:
He was a distant cousin who/whom/that she had never met. (defining) He was a distant cousin she had never met. (defining)
A distant cousin, who/whom she had never met, was meeting her for lunch. (non-defining)
1 In identifying clause, we very often use that instead of the other relative pronouns, especially in a conversational style. Compare: He’s the man that people like at the first sight. 2We also often leave out the relative pronoun if it is the object of the verb in the relative clause. This is extremely common in conversational English. Compare: Anything you say is all right with me. 3 Prepositions can come either before relative pronouns or at the end of relative clauses. In conversational English, it is much more common to put prepositions at the end (and to leave out the pronoun).Compare: The people with whom he worked with regarded him as eccentric. (Formal style) The people he worked with thought he was a bit strange. 4Note that after a preposition who and that are impossible; whom or which must be used (as in the first example) 5 Note that a restrictive attributive clause is not used after a noun which is already completely indentified by words. Compare: The house which I bought last year has got a lovely garden. or My house, which I bought last year has got a lovely garden. In identify Clause, present and past tenses are sometimes used instead of future and conditional. Compare: I’ll give you anything you ask for. (Not: * . . . will ask for) I’d give you anything you
asked for. (Not: * . . . would ask for)
1Non-identifying clauses are rather unusual in conversation. They are often heavy and formal, and are much more common in written English. 2A non- identifying clause is separated from its noun by a comma (because it is not a necessary part of the meaning of the noun) If the sentence continues after the clause, there is another comma. For example; This is Mr Gallagber, who writes comic poetry. Smallpox, which once killed thousands of people every year, has now been wiped out.3 In non- identifying clauses, that cannot be used, and object pronouns cannot be left out. For example: I passed him a large glass of whisky which he drank immediately.4 Prepositions can come at the end of non- identifying clauses (but in a formal style, they are usually put before the relative pronoun).Compare: She spent all evening talking about her latest book, which none of us had ever heard of. Universal Agroplastics, of which Max Harrison was until recently the chairman, has made a loss of three million pounds this year.5 Note that in non-restrictive attributive clauses, whom is quite often found. Compare: The small man in the raincoat, whom nobody recognized, turned out to be Olivia’s first husband. 6In non-restrictive attributive clauses, determiners (eg some, any, none, all, both, several, enough, many, and few) can be used with of whom and of which. Compare: It’s a family of eight children, all of whom are studying music. They picked up five boat-loads of refugees, some of whom had
been at sea for two months. This structure is also possible with other expressions of quantity, and with superlatives. eg; a number of three of which, half of which
The most common relative pronouns are who, whom, which and that. Who and whom are used for people; which is used for things. I don’t like people who lose their tempers easily.
In the compound sentence plays the role of the attributive is attributive clause. In accordance with the attributive clause and its first word can be divided into the relationship between the restrictive attributive clause and the restrictive attributive clause.
Identifying relative clause
1 In identify relative clauses,we very often use that instead of the other relative pronouns ,especially in a conversational style.
I’ve lost the bananas that I bought this morning.
That is especially common after the following words:
all every(thing) some(thing) any(thing) no(thing) none little few much only
That is also very often used after superlatives.
Is this all that’s left?
2 In identifying relative clause, we often leave out the relative pronoun if it is the object of the verb in the relative clause .This is extremely common in conversational English:
Nothing you do will make any difference.
3 Prepositions can come either before relative pronouns or at the end of relative clause. In conversational English ,it is much more common to put prepositions at the end (and to leave out the pronoun).Compare:
The people with whom he worked regarded him as eccentric.(Formal style)
The people he worked with thought be was a bit strange.(Conversational style)
4 Note that an identifying relative clause is not used after a noun which is already completely identified by other words.
Non-defining relative clauses
The relative clauses we have discussed so far are often referred to as defining relative clauses. This is because they supply information which is needed in order to identify a particular person or thing - they define exactly who or what we are referring to. A second type of relative clause exists in English. This kind of relative clause, usually separated by commas, gives additional information about a person or thing. Unlike in a defining relative clause, this information is not absolutely necessary in order to identify who or what we are talking about, it does not define, but adds information. Such relative clauses are often referred to as non-defining relative clauses, compare:
I could see two girls standing on the platform. The girl who was carrying
a small child got onto the train. (defining relative clause)
I could see two girls standing on the platform. One of the girls, who was carrying a small child, got onto the train. (non-defining relative clause) Non-defining relative clauses have a variety of uses in written English. As well as adding descriptive information, they are often used to indicate that one event happened after another, e.g:
She called out to the man, who ran off.
I picked up the model, which fell apart in my hands.
Sometimes non-defining relative clauses are used to make a comment about the whole situation described in a main clause, rather than someone or something mentioned within it, e.g:
She felt really nervous about the interview, which was understandable.