Relative or adjective or attributive clause

[ian2]

Just have a simple question:

Is there a place in our USINGENGLISH.com where I can find definitions of relative clause, adjective clause and attributive clause? Are they the different names of the same thing? Thanks.

[Casiopea]

Try here: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary.html

[ian2]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Try here: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary.html

Thanks. But are there differences between them? I have thought of them as the different names of the same thing. But someone asked me about the differences. Honestly I don't know there is a difference.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by ian2

Just have a simple question:

Is there a place in our USINGENGLISH.com where I can find definitions of relative clause, adjective clause and attributive clause? Are they the different names of the same thing? Thanks.

A relative clause is headed (begins with) a relative pronoun. That's how its form is described. As for what it does (its function in the senetence) it acts as an adjective; it modifies a noun (which is why a relative clause can also be defined as an adjective or adjectival clause). Now, adjective clauses can occur either before or after the noun they modify. An attributive clause occurs after its noun (which is why a relative clause is also defined as an attributive clause.)

In short,

Form (what it looks like): relative clause
Function (what it does): adjective clause
Position (where it sits): attributive clause

Have a look here.

All the best.