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Academic Language: Noun Phrases with Relative Clauses

Academic Language

Noun Phrases with Relative Clauses

1. What Is a Noun Phrase with a Relative Clause?

A noun phrase (NP) is a group of words built around a noun (people, things, ideas, places, etc.).

A relative clause (RC) adds more information about the noun.

Example

"Older people who are overweight may develop serious medical conditions."

  • Head noun: older people
  • Relative clause: who are overweight
  • Function: Adds essential information.

Relative Pronouns / Adverbs

  • People: who that whose
  • Things: that which
  • Places: where
  • Time: when
  • Reasons: why

2. Defining Relative Clauses

Essential Information

Information necessary to identify the noun.

  • 🔹 No comma is used.
  • 🔹 Use "that" often.

"People who are unemployed often experience higher stress levels."

3. Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Extra Information

Adds extra, non-essential information.

  • 🔹 Use commas.
  • 🔹 NOT "that". Use who/which/whose.

"Professor Janek, who specializes in public health, will speak today."

5. Common Academic Errors (and Fixes)

Incorrect Correct Reason
People which live in urban areas… People who live in urban areas… Use who for people.
The factory that located near the river… The factory that is located near the river… Missing verb.
Countries, that have low GDP, need support. Countries that have low GDP need support. Defining clause → no commas.
The data which were collected last year, suggest… The data which were collected last year suggest… No comma because clause is essential (defining).

6. Guided Practice

A. Identify the head noun + relative clause

Example: Students who study abroad gain independence.

Head Noun students
Relative Clause (RC) who study abroad

B. Choose correct pronouns

Choose from: who, which, that, when, where, why, whose.

1.
The cities have high pollution need stricter laws.
2.
The professor you met yesterday will supervise your research.
3.
The year the tsunami occurred changed the region forever.
4.
The school students come from low-income families requires more funding.
5.
The organization, was founded in 1994, now operates globally.

C. Sentence Combination

Change the two sentences into one noun phrase with a relative clause.

1. The woman is an experienced researcher. She studies public health.

2. They visited a village. The village had no clean water.

3. The economic crisis happened in 2008. It affected millions.

4. The scientist won an award. His research helped treat cancer.

5. The forests are disappearing. The forests are home to many species.

7. Extra Practice

A. Multiple Choice: Choose the Correct Relative Pronoun

1. The countries ___ have high unemployment need economic reforms.

2. The scientist ___ discovered the vaccine won a global award.

3. The year ___ the policy was introduced saw economic growth.

4. The communities ___ rely on farming are affected by climate change.

5. The hospital, ___ was built in 1990, treats over 2,000 patients monthly.

B. Choose the Correct Option

1. Students ___ fail the exam can take a resit.

2. The regions ___ literacy levels are low require more funding.

3. The book ___ you recommended helped me understand the topic.

4. The meeting ___ we discussed the project was productive.

5. The factory ___ is located near the river produces textiles.

C. Identify: Defining (D) or Non-Defining (ND)

1. The report, which was published in 2023, highlights key trends.
2. The countries that rely on oil exports face economic risks.
3. The researcher who won the award teaches at Harvard.
4. Biodiversity, which is essential for ecosystems, is declining.
5. The villages where drought is common require more support.

D. Error Recognition

Identify the part of the sentence containing the error.

1. People which live in crowded cities often experience stress.

2. The survey, that was conducted last year, revealed major issues.

3. The town where I visited last month is famous for its temples.

4. The students who assignments are late must see the teacher.

5. The plan what the government introduced aims to reduce poverty.

E. Matching Exercise

1. the countries
2. the researcher
3. the forests
4. the year
5. the policies

F. Fill-in-the-Blank

Use: who, which, that, when, where, whose, why

1. The professor teaches statistics is on leave.

2. The reasons students drop out must be understood.

3. The study examined 20 countries received global attention.

4. The school students come from rural areas needs more support.

5. The city I grew up still has a very low crime rate.

G. Sentence Combination

1. The scientist won an award. He discovered a new antibiotic.

2. The village has no clean water. The village is located in a remote area.

3. The year was difficult. Inflation increased rapidly in that year.

H. Identify the Relative Clause

1. Many countries [that face water shortages] need global assistance.

*Identify the start/keyword of the clause bracketed

2. The report, [which was written by experts], proposes several solutions.