Editing Dependent clause (section)

==Relative (adjectival) clause==
{{Main article|Relative clause}}
In [[Indo-European languages]], a relative clause, also called an adjectival clause or an adjective clause, meets three requirements:
#Like all dependent clauses, it contains a verb (and also a subject unless it is a [[#Non-finite dependent clauses|non-finite dependent clause]]). However, in a [[pro-drop language]] the subject may be a [[zero (linguistics)|zero pronoun]]: the pronoun may not be explicitly included because its identity is conveyed by a verbal [[inflection]].
#It begins with a '''relative adverb''' [''when, where'', ''how'', or ''why'' in English] or a relative pronoun [''who, whom, whose, that, what'' or ''which'' in English]. However, the English relative pronoun (other than ''what'') may be omitted and only implied if it plays the role of the object of the verb or object of a preposition in a restrictive clause; for example, ''He is the boy I saw'' is equivalent to ''He is the boy whom I saw'', and ''I saw the boy you are talking about'' is equivalent to the more formal ''I saw the boy about whom you are talking''.
#The relative clause functions as an adjective, answering questions such as "what kind?", "how many?" or "which one?"

The adjective clause in English will follow one of these patterns:

*Relative Pronoun [Functioning as Object of Verb]  +  Subject  +  Verb
:This is the ball '''''that'' I was bouncing.'''

*Relative Pronoun [Functioning as Object of Verb] (Omitted but Implied) +  Subject  +  Verb
:This is the ball '''I was bouncing.'''

*Relative Adverb + Subject + Verb (possibly + Object of Verb)
:That is the house '''''where'' I grew up.'''
:That is the house '''''where'' I met her.'''

*Relative Pronoun [Functioning as Subject]  +  Verb (possibly + Object of Verb)
:That is the person '''''who'' hiccuped.'''
:That is the person '''''who'' saw me'''.

*Relative Pronoun [Functioning as Object of Preposition] + Subject + Verb (possibly + Object of Verb) + Preposition
:That is the person '''''who(m)'' I was talking about.'''
:That is the person '''''who(m)'' I was telling you about.'''

*Preposition + Relative Pronoun [Functioning as Object of Preposition] + Subject + Verb (possibly + Object of Verb)
:That is the person '''about ''whom'' I was talking.'''
:That is the person '''about ''whom'' I was telling you.'''

*Possessive Relative Pronoun + Noun [Functioning as Subject] + Verb (possibly + Object of Verb)
:That is the dog '''''whose'' big brown eyes pleaded for another cookie.'''
:That is the dog '''''whose'' big brown eyes begged me for another cookie.'''

*Possessive Relative Pronoun + Noun [Functioning as Object of Verb] + Subject + Verb
:That is the person '''''whose'' car I saw.'''

For a discussion of adjective clauses in languages other than English, see [[Relative clause#Examples]].

===Punctuation===
====English punctuation====
The punctuation of an adjective clause depends on whether it is essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive) and uses commas accordingly. Essential clauses are not set off with  commas; nonessential clauses are. An adjective clause is essential if the information it contains is necessary to the meaning of the sentence:

*The vegetables ''that people often leave uneaten'' are usually the most nutritious.

The word "vegetables" is non-specific. Accordingly, for the reader to know which are being mentioned, one must have the information provided in the adjective clause (in italics). Because it restricts the meaning of "vegetable", the adjective clause is called a restrictive clause. It is essential to the meaning of the main clause and uses no commas (and so does not experience a pause when spoken).

However, if the additional information does not help to identify more narrowly the identity of the noun antecedent but rather simply provides further information about it, the adjective clause is nonrestrictive and so requires commas (or a spoken pause) to separate it from the rest of the sentence:

*Broccoli, ''which people often leave uneaten'', is very nutritious.

Depending on context, a particular noun could be modified by either a restrictive or nonrestrictive adjective clause. For example, while "broccoli" is modified nonrestrictively in the preceding sentence, it is modified restrictively in the following.

*The broccoli ''which (''or'' that) people leave uneaten'' is often nutritious.