Is This the Clause Which I Want?

34. Is This The Clause Which I Want?

Like essential and non-essential clauses in sentences, some dependent phrases can amend or clarify the main thought in a sentence by introducing additional information. The words used, called relative pronouns in this case, are typically “that,” “which,” and “who.” While the rules about identifying the essential and non-essential components of these dependent phrases remain the same for relative clauses, there are complex ways in which they are employed that can make the reader's job more difficult. In general, it is easier to read sentences that do not employ relative clauses. However, it is impossible to avoid these clauses entirely, so using them on purpose—and phrasing them for clarity—makes the reader's job easier and your meaning more obvious.

• Example: “The shaduf was an ancient tool which enabled dry farming.”
• Example: “An ancient tool called a shaduf enabled dry farming.”

The second example is a simpler, more direct statement. The subject— shaduf —has an essential piece of information—enabled dry farming—that is added to the sentence by a relative pronoun, but doesn't necessarily need the relative pronoun to be clear.

We could test the sentence by asking, “is X (subject) the Y (object) which does Z (action)?” by replacing the variables X, Y, and Z with the component parts of the sentence in question. If the components fit, you might want to ask if you are using the proper phrasing.

• Example: “Is (X) the shaduf the (Y) ancient tool which (Z) enabled dry farming?”

To correct a relative clause (if you decide that it needs correcting), simply reduce the variables by asking the same question in a simplified form: “Does X (subject/object) do Y (action)?”

• Example: “Did (X) the ancient tool called a shaduf (Y) enable dry farming?”

Now, reword it as a statement instead of a question.

• Example: “An ancient tool called a shaduf enabled dry farming.”

These steps get us from the first example to the second example above. Notice that both examples contain the same basic language and relay the same essential information. Yet the second example is clearer, more concise, and easier to read. Thus, the intentional phrasing to avoid using relative clauses helps clarify the meaning of the sentence. Notice, too, that the title to this whole section can be tested and simplified in the same way.

• Example: “Do I want this clause?”

Note: when you must use a relative clause, it is best to follow the usage guidelines for relative pronouns like “that,” which,” and “who” from section 31. It tends to be easier, and therefore your writing is more clear, to think of clauses in terms of essential and non-essential statements and employ commas to indicate which you are using. In sum, use commas to define essential versus non-essential clauses rather than thinking about when a pronoun is being relative or not. Certainly you must be aware of this section and its usage rules, but it may prove easier to think in terms of section 31 when constructing your sentences. It ought to clarify your meaning more effectively, and commas are easier to understand anyway.

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Like essential and non-essential clauses in sentences, some dependent phrases can amend or clarify the main thought in a sentence by introducing additional information. The words used, called relative pronouns in this case, are typically “that,” “which,” and “who.” While the rules about identifying the essential and non-essential components of these dependent phrases remain the same for relative clauses, there are complex ways in which they are employed that can make the reader's job more difficult. In general, it is easier to read sentences that do not employ relative clauses. However, it is impossible to avoid these clauses entirely, so using them on purpose—and phrasing them for clarity—makes the reader's job easier and your meaning more obvious.

	• Example: “The shaduf was an ancient tool which enabled dry farming.” • Example: “An ancient tool called a shaduf enabled dry farming.”
	The second example is a simpler, more direct statement. The subject— shaduf —has an essential piece of information—enabled dry farming—that is added to the sentence by a relative pronoun, but doesn't necessarily need the relative pronoun to be clear.
	We could test the sentence by asking, “is X (subject) the Y (object) which does Z (action)?” by replacing the variables X, Y, and Z with the component parts of the sentence in question. If the components fit, you might want to ask if you are using the proper phrasing.
	• Example: “Is (X) the shaduf the (Y) ancient tool which (Z) enabled dry farming?”
	To correct a relative clause (if you decide that it needs correcting), simply reduce the variables by asking the same question in a simplified form: “Does X (subject/object) do Y (action)?”
	• Example: “Did (X) the ancient tool called a shaduf (Y) enable dry farming?”
	Now, reword it as a statement instead of a question.
	• Example: “An ancient tool called a shaduf enabled dry farming.”
	These steps get us from the first example to the second example above. Notice that both examples contain the same basic language and relay the same essential information. Yet the second example is clearer, more concise, and easier to read. Thus, the intentional phrasing to avoid using relative clauses helps clarify the meaning of the sentence. Notice, too, that the title to this whole section can be tested and simplified in the same way.
	• Example: “Do I want this clause?”
	Note: when you must use a relative clause, it is best to follow the usage guidelines for relative pronouns like “that,” which,” and “who” from section 31. It tends to be easier, and therefore your writing is more clear, to think of clauses in terms of essential and non-essential statements and employ commas to indicate which you are using. In sum, use commas to define essential versus non-essential clauses rather than thinking about when a pronoun is being relative or not. Certainly you must be aware of this section and its usage rules, but it may prove easier to think in terms of section 31 when constructing your sentences. It ought to clarify your meaning more effectively, and commas are easier to understand anyway.