Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into TOEFL Skill 118, which is all about mastering relative clauses. This skill is super important for both the Reading and Writing sections of the TOEFL, so pay close attention, guys! Understanding and using relative clauses correctly will seriously boost your score and help you write more complex and nuanced sentences. So, what exactly are relative clauses, and why should you care about them? Well, let's break it down.

Understanding Relative Clauses: The Basics

Okay, so what are relative clauses? Think of them as extra little details, like side notes, that add more information to a noun in your main sentence. They always start with a relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that, whose, where, when, why) and they function as adjectives, meaning they describe or modify a noun. For example, in the sentence "The book that I borrowed from the library is really interesting," the words that I borrowed from the library make up the relative clause. They give you extra information about the book. They tell you which book we're talking about. The most common relative pronouns are:

• Who: Used for people.
• Whom: Also used for people, but more formal (and often less used in everyday conversation). It acts as the object of the verb or preposition within the clause.
• Which: Used for things (objects, animals, or ideas).
• That: Can be used for both people and things, but it's often more common in restrictive clauses (we'll get to that).
• Whose: Shows possession (belonging to someone or something).
• Where: Used for places.
• When: Used for times.
• Why: Used for reasons.

See? Easy peasy! The key is to recognize the relative pronoun and the information that follows it. Often, the relative clause will be set off by commas, but not always. Pay attention to how the clause changes the meaning and whether it is essential or not. Knowing this is crucial for the TOEFL, because it's all about precision. The exam tests your ability to identify the correct structure and meaning of sentences, and relative clauses are a big part of that. Understanding the function of each relative pronoun, the role they play in the sentence, will help you score better.

Types of Relative Clauses: Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive

Now, let's talk about the two main types of relative clauses: restrictive and nonrestrictive. This is where things get a bit more nuanced, but don't worry, we'll break it down.

Restrictive Clauses

Restrictive clauses give essential information. They tell you which specific person or thing the sentence is talking about. They're like a crucial piece of the puzzle. Without the information in the restrictive clause, the meaning of the main sentence would be incomplete or unclear. Critically, these clauses are not set off by commas. They're an integral part of the sentence, providing necessary details. Here's an example: "The students who study hard get good grades." In this sentence, who study hard is a restrictive clause. It tells you which students get good grades – only the ones who study hard. If you take that clause away, the sentence becomes vague. It doesn't specify which students are getting good grades. "The students get good grades" is true, but it's not the complete picture.

Nonrestrictive Clauses

Nonrestrictive clauses, on the other hand, provide extra, non-essential information. They add a detail but don't change the basic meaning of the sentence. Think of them as a bonus. You can remove them, and the main sentence will still make sense. Nonrestrictive clauses are always set off by commas. Look at this example: "My sister, who lives in London, is a doctor." The clause who lives in London is nonrestrictive. It's extra information about your sister, but even without it, the sentence still makes sense: "My sister is a doctor." It's just a little more detail that's nice to know. Knowing the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses is super important for punctuation on the TOEFL. You have to be able to identify which type of clause you're dealing with, because it will tell you whether or not you need to use commas. The TOEFL loves to test this, so make sure you've got it down!

Identifying and Correcting Relative Clause Errors

Alright, now that we know the basics, let's talk about how to spot and fix relative clause errors, the ones that are likely to trip you up on the TOEFL. Here's what to look out for:

Pronoun Choice

Make sure you're using the correct relative pronoun. Remember:

• Who/Whom: For people.
• Which: For things.
• That: For both (but often used in restrictive clauses).

Comma Usage

Pay close attention to commas, as you've learned. Nonrestrictive clauses need commas; restrictive clauses don't. A misplaced comma can completely change the meaning of your sentence.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The verb inside the relative clause must agree with the noun that the clause is describing. For example, "The man who is here..." (singular subject, singular verb) vs. "The people who are here..." (plural subject, plural verb).

Placement

The relative clause should be placed as close as possible to the noun it's modifying. A misplaced clause can make your sentence confusing and ambiguous. For example, is it the house with the red door? Or is it the dog with the red door? Placement is key to being understood.

Practice Makes Perfect: Exercises and Examples

Let's get our hands dirty with some practice! Here are some exercises to help you hone your relative clause skills.

Exercise 1: Identify the Relative Clause

In the following sentences, identify the relative clause and state whether it's restrictive or nonrestrictive.

1. The car that I bought last week is already broken.
2. My friend, who is a talented musician, just released a new album.
3. The book which has a blue cover is mine.
4. The city where I grew up is very beautiful.

Answers:

1. that I bought last week - Restrictive
2. who is a talented musician - Nonrestrictive
3. which has a blue cover - Restrictive
4. where I grew up - Restrictive

Exercise 2: Correct the Errors

Correct the errors in the following sentences.

1. The woman which lives next door is very friendly.
2. The dog, that is brown, belongs to my neighbor.
3. The students who studies hard will succeed.

Answers:

1. The woman who lives next door is very friendly. (Incorrect pronoun)
2. The dog that is brown belongs to my neighbor. OR The dog, which is brown, belongs to my neighbor. (Incorrect comma, pronoun)
3. The students who study hard will succeed. (Subject-verb agreement)

Exercise 3: Write Your Own

Write a sentence using a relative clause for each of the following:

1. A person
2. A place
3. A thing

Answers (Example):

1. I met a man who works at the library.
2. I visited the town where I was born.
3. I lost the pen that I loved the most.

Conclusion: Mastering Skill 118 for TOEFL Success

Alright, guys, you made it! We covered a lot today about TOEFL Skill 118 and relative clauses. You learned the definition of relative clauses, the different types (restrictive vs. nonrestrictive), common errors, and how to correct them. Relative clauses are an important part of the TOEFL, so take the time to practice and master them. Remember to focus on the key elements: the correct pronoun choice, the placement of the clause, and the proper use of commas. Keep practicing, and you'll be well on your way to a higher score on the TOEFL exam. Now go out there and conquer those relative clauses! Good luck with your studies, and keep practicing! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. And don't forget to review the other skills to improve your score. You've got this!