Question

Identify the relative clause in the following sentence:
A novelist is the person who writes the novel.
A) A novelist
B) who writes novel
C) a person
D) is a person who

Answer 1

Hint: In the given question, we have to identify the relative clause. Relative clause is the one which starts with relative pronouns and is often used to define a noun that precedes them. We generally use relative clauses to clear about which person or thing we are talking about or to give more information about a person, thing or situation.

Complete answer:
We are given a statement and have to identify the clause from the statement.
Let us evaluate the options:
Option A) A novelist – This option is incorrect because it is not a relative pronoun preceding the sentence. It is the noun and subject of the sentence.
Option B) who writes novel – This option is correct because relative pronoun “who” is used and is describing the noun that is preceding it i.e. “A novelist”.
Option C) a person – This option is incorrect because it is the goal and not defining or modifying the noun. It is not providing information about the novelist.
Option D) is a person who – This option is incorrect because it defines the goal and not preceded by the noun even though the relative pronoun “who” is used. It is not providing information about the novelist.

Hence option ‘B’ is the correct answer i.e, “who writes novel” is the relative clause.

Note: A relative clause describes the noun that precedes it, in the main part of the sentence. It is a dependent clause. The common relative pronouns are used as follows:
i) “who” and “whom” for people
ii) “Which” for things
iii) “That” for people or things
iv) “When” with times and “where” with places.