Embedded Clauses
Understand how embedded clauses can expand the variety of complex sentences to elaborate, extend and explain ideas.
Read this first
An embedded clause drops extra information into the middle of a sentence. Take it out and the sentence still works.
Words you need
- Embedded clause
- A clause tucked inside another, usually between commas.
- Relative pronoun
- Who, which or that, which starts the embedded clause.
- The removal test
- Take the clause out. If the sentence still stands, it was embedded.
Worked example
e.g. Add detail: The old bridge was closed.
- Decide what extra information to add. Say it was built in 1890.
- Choose the relative pronoun. For a thing, use which.
- Write the clause: which was built in 1890.
- Now find where the noun sits. It is bridge.
- Drop the clause in straight after that noun.
- Wrap it in a comma on each side. Both commas are needed.
- The old bridge, which was built in 1890, was closed.
- Run the removal test. Take it out: The old bridge was closed. Still works.
- That proves the commas are in the right places.
Insert after the noun. Comma each side. Then run the removal test.
Practice
After the noun, comma each side, then remove and test.
1Which relative pronoun is used for a person?with a picture
AnswerWho.
2How many commas does an embedded clause need?with a picture
AnswerTwo, one on each side.
3Embed who lived next door into The woman waved.with a hint
Need a hint?
Put it straight after the noun.
AnswerThe woman, who lived next door, waved.
4My brother who is a pilot lives in Perth. What is missing?with a hint
Need a hint?
Run the removal test.
AnswerThe two commas around who is a pilot.
5Embed which had no windows into The room felt cold.on your own
AnswerThe room, which had no windows, felt cold.
6Why does the removal test work?on your own
AnswerEmbedded information is extra. The main sentence must survive without it.
Think about it
1
Why not just write two sentences instead?
One good answerSometimes you should. Embedding is for detail that is extra, not equal in weight.
2
What happens if you use only one comma?
One good answerThe reader is left waiting for the clause to close. It reads as an error.
Common mistakes
An embedded clause goes at the end.
It goes straight after the noun it describes, which is usually mid-sentence.
You can embed as many as you like.
One per sentence is usually plenty. More and the main idea gets buried.