relative clause

American  

noun

1. a subordinate clause introduced by a relative pronoun, adjective, or adverb, either expressed or deleted, especially such a clause modifying an antecedent, as who saw you in He's the man who saw you or (that ) I wrote in Here's the letter (that ) I wrote.

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Example Sentences

The sentence would still be able to stand without the relative clause.

From BBC

They created a short online grammar quiz called Which English? that tested noun–verb agreement, pronouns, prepositions and relative clauses, among other linguistic elements.

From Scientific American

It is used in questions and relative clauses, which are rarer and more complex than “he saw him” type sentences.

From Economist

Though the sentence may be beyond salvation, passivizing the relative clause would be a place to start: the former United Nations diplomat who has been tapped by protesters demanding Mr. Morsi’s ouster.

From Literature

“Which” can be either subjective or objective case — it is used for both the subject and the object of a relative clause.

From New York Times