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CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Adjective Clause 1. The Definition of Adjective Clause
English is a foreign language which has different characteristic from our language. Learning new language means establishing new system of the language
where learners have to learn many aspects of new language which are very different from their native language such as vocabulary, sound of the words
pronunciation, spelling, semantics, rules of grammar and so on. Although grammar does not belong to English skills, it is no doubt that
knowledge of grammatical rules is essential to be learnt for mastering a language and it would be impossible to learn language effectively without knowing the
grammar. First, before the writer giving the definition of relative pronoun, she would
like to explain about adjective clause. To know adjective clause is essential because in the English Textbooks, magazines, newspapers, and the other
frequently use the adjective clauses. There are many experts who state the definition of adjective clause.
According to Elbaum said An adjective clause is a group of words with subject and verb that describes a noun.
1
As Huddleston and Pullum said that a relative clause is a special kind of subordinate clause whose primary function is as
modifier to a noun or nominal.
2
In addition, an adjective or relative clause is one type of dependent clause. It modifies a noun or pronoun or occasionally a whole
sentence.
3
Altenberg and Vago said that a relative caluse adjective clause is a kind of dependent clause; it provides additional information about a noun phrase
1
Sandra N. Elbaum, Grammar in Context 2: Fourth Edition, Boston: Thomson Heinle, 2006, p. 354
2
Rodney Huddleston and Geofrey K. Pullum, A Student’s Inroduction to English Grammar,
New York: Cambbridge University Pres, 2010, p.183
3
Patricia k. Werner and John P. Nelson, Mosaic 2 Grammar Forth Edition, New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2002, p.115
in the main clause.
4
An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun. It describes, indentifies, or gives further information about a noun. An
adjective clause is also called a relative clause.
5
From the definitions above, the writer concludes that adjective clause is a
clause which modifies or decribeds noun or pronoun as antecedent. 2. The Types of Adjective Clauses
According to Yule, relative caluse can be divided into two types restrictive clause and non restrictrive clause relative clauses. Restrictive relative clause is
term for rlative clause which defines or restricts the reference of the noun.
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Furthermore, it can be understood; restricted relative caluse serves to restrict the reference of the noun phrase modified. A non-restrictive relative clause give extra
information aboout antecedent.
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Non-restrictive relative clause is indicated commass arroud it. The cha
racteristic is used because the noun’s reference is already clear and thus the clause does not restrict it.
Tabel 2.1 The characteristics of restrictive and non restrictive relative clause
Restrictive Non-restrictive
Defining Necessary information
No separation makers Not usually after proper noun
Not as additional comments Not with quantity expressions
Initial that and zero relative With general antecedents
Shorter and more common Non-defining
Extra information Separations maker e.g. commas
After proper noun Provide additonal comments
With quantity expression Not with that or zero relative
Not with general antecedents Longer and less common
4
Evelyn P. Altenberg and Robert M. Vago, English Grammar, New York: Cambbridge University Pres, 2010, p. 121
5
Betty Scrampfer Azar, Understanding and Using Grammar Third Edition, London: Prentice- Hall, Inc, 1999, p. 267
6
George Yule, Explaining English Grammar, New York: Oxford University Press, 1998, p. 240
7
Yule, Ibid, p.249
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