Relative Clauses, Causatives & Connectives: Rules & Uses

TAKEAWAYS:

• Relative clauses join two sentences using who, which, that, whose, where, when (defining vs. non-defining).
• Causatives (make, let, have) show who makes someone do something (active vs. passive forms).
• Connectives (however, moreover, in addition) link ideas smoothly in writing.
• Commas separate non-defining clauses; defining clauses have no commas.
• NEB exams test error correction, sentence transformation, and essay writing using these structures.

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Relative Clauses

Relative clauses add extra information about a noun. They start with relative pronouns (who, which, that, whose, where, when).

1. Defining Relative Clauses (Essential)

• Definition: Provide essential information (no commas).
• Example:
  • The book that is on the table is mine.
  • The man who called you is my teacher.

2. Non-Defining Relative Clauses (Non-Essential)

• Definition: Add extra (non-essential) info (use commas).
• Example:
  • My brother, who lives in Kathmandu, is a doctor.
  • The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is very tall.

Key Rules:

Common Mistakes:

❌ The man who I met yesterday is my uncle. (Incorrect: whom needed) ✅ The man whom I met yesterday is my uncle.

❌ The house, which is very big, is empty. (Incorrect: that is better for defining) ✅ The house that is very big is empty.

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Worked Example: Original: I have a friend. He lives in Pokhara. Combined (defining): I have a friend who lives in Pokhara. Combined (non-defining): I have a friend, who lives in Pokhara, since childhood.

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Causatives (Make, Let, Have)

Causatives show who makes someone do something.

1. Make (Force/Require)

• Structure: Subject + make + object + base verb
• Example:
  • My mother makes me study every day.
  • The teacher made us write an essay.

2. Let (Allow/Permit)

• Structure: Subject + let + object + base verb
• Example:
  • My father lets me watch TV after homework.
  • She let her dog sleep on the couch.

3. Have (Get Someone to Do)

• Structure: Subject + have + object + past participle
• Example:
  • I had my brother repair the bike.
  • She had her hair cut yesterday.

Passive Causatives:

• Example:
  • I had my car repaired. (Active: I had a mechanic repair my car.)

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Worked Example: Original: The boss ordered. The workers cleaned the office. Causative: The boss made the workers clean the office.

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Connectives (Linking Words & Phrases)

Connectives join ideas, sentences, or paragraphs smoothly.

Types of Connectives:

1. Addition: and, also, moreover, furthermore, in addition
   • She is intelligent. Moreover, she is kind.
2. Contrast: but, however, although, despite, whereas
   • He is rich. However, he is unhappy.
3. Cause/Effect: because, since, as a result, consequently
   • She studied hard. As a result, she passed.
4. Time: when, while, after, before, meanwhile
   • I was reading when the phone rang.
5. Purpose: so that, in order to
   • He works hard so that he can succeed.

Common Mistakes:

❌ She is tired, but she went to school. (Correct: although) ✅ She is tired, although she went to school.

❌ I like tea and coffee. (Correct if both are true) ✅ I like tea, but I prefer coffee.

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Worked Example: Original: It rained. We stayed home. Combined (cause): Since it rained, we stayed home. Combined (contrast): It rained, yet we went out.

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Exam Tip: How to Score Full Marks

1. Relative Clauses:

   • Error Correction: Spot missing commas or wrong pronouns (who vs. whom).
   • Sentence Transformation: Combine two sentences using who, which, that.
   • Essay Writing: Use non-defining clauses for extra details (The Himalayas, which are the world’s highest mountains, attract many climbers.).

2. Causatives:

   • Fill in the Blanks: Choose make, let, or have correctly.
   • Rewrite Sentences: Convert active to passive (She made him clean → He was made to clean.).
   • Grammar Exercises: Avoid mixing tenses (❌ She makes me study yesterday. ✅ She made me study yesterday.).

3. Connectives:

   • Paragraph Writing: Use however, moreover to link ideas logically.
   • Comprehension Questions: Identify connectives that show contrast, cause, or addition.
   • Proofreading: Ensure connectives match the tone (formal: therefore; informal: so).

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NEB-Style Practice Questions

Section A: Relative Clauses

1. Combine the sentences using who/which/that:

   • This is the girl. She won the competition. → This is the girl who won the competition.

2. Add commas where needed:

   • The dog which barks loudly belongs to my neighbor. → The dog, which barks loudly, belongs to my neighbor.

3. Correct the error:

   • The man who I met is my uncle. → The man whom I met is my uncle.

Section B: Causatives

4. Fill in the blanks:

   • My father ______ me ______ (study) hard. → makes, study
   • She ______ her hair ______ yesterday. → had, cut

5. Rewrite in passive:

   • The teacher made us write an essay. → We were made to write an essay.

Section C: Connectives

6. Choose the best connective:

   • *She is poor. ______, she is happy.* → However
   • *He worked hard. ______, he succeeded.* → As a result

7. Complete the paragraph:

   • Nepal is a beautiful country. Moreover, its culture is rich. However, it faces many challenges.

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Final Checklist Before Exam

✅ Relative Clauses: Know who/whom/whose/which/that rules. ✅ Causatives: Remember make + base verb, let + base verb, have + past participle. ✅ Connectives: Practice addition, contrast, cause, time in writing. ✅ Commas: Use them only in non-defining clauses.

Good luck! 🚀