>> ZG·Lingua >  >> Theoretical Linguistics >> Pragmatics

What is the difference between WH-interrogatives and relative clauses?

Let's break down the difference between WH-interrogatives and relative clauses:

WH-Interrogatives

* Function: They ask questions.

* Structure: Begin with a WH-word (who, what, where, when, why, how) followed by a verb and the rest of the question.

* Example:

* Who is going to the party?

* What did you eat for breakfast?

* Where did you find that book?

Relative Clauses

* Function: They provide additional information about a noun.

* Structure: They are introduced by a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) and function as adjectives.

* Example:

* The girl who won the race is my sister. (tells us which girl)

* The book that I read was very interesting. (tells us which book)

* The house where I grew up is still standing. (tells us which house)

Key Differences

1. Purpose: WH-interrogatives seek information, while relative clauses provide more detail.

2. Position: WH-interrogatives are standalone questions, while relative clauses are parts of sentences.

3. Function: WH-interrogatives act as complete sentences, while relative clauses function as adjectives.

Here's a simple way to remember:

* WH-interrogatives: "Who, what, where, when, why, how?" - these words are used to ask questions.

* Relative Clauses: They act like "extra details" about a noun.

Example:

* WH-interrogative: Where did you go on vacation? (asks for a location)

* Relative Clause: I went to the beach, which was very beautiful. (gives information about the beach)

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Copyright © www.zgghmh.com ZG·Lingua All rights reserved.