Attributive clauses

1. Restrictive relative attributive clauses as a rule are not separated from the principal clause by stops.

You may be sure every smuggler in the Apennines will do for a man who was

in the Savigno revolt what he will not do for us. (Voynich)

2. Non-restrictive relative attributive clauses are as a rule separated from the principal clause by a comma.

Tom presented himself before Aunt Polly, who was sitting by an open

window. (Twain)

I turned hastily round, and found at my elbow a pretty little girl, who begged

to be directed to a certain street at a considerable distance. (Dickens)

3. Continuative attributive clauses are always separated from the principal clause by a comma.

Oliver was frightened at the sight of so many gentlemen, which made him

tremble: and the beadle gave him another tap behind, which made him cry.

(Dickens)

4. Appositive attributive clauses, are never separated from the principal clause by a stop.

The thought that his adored daughter should learn of that old scandal hurt Ms

pride too much. (Galsworthy)

She paused with an uneasy sense that instead of defending Kath she was

providing ammunition against her. (Lindsay)

Adverbial clauses.

1. When an adverbial clause follows-the principal clause, no stop is generally used. When it precedes the principal clause, it is separated from it by a comma.

The solicitor addressed me as he descended the stair. (Ch. Bronte)

He sank into a silence so profound that Aunt Hester began to be afraid he had

fallen into a trance. (Galsworthy)

He drew the blanket over his head that he might not hear. (Voynich)

When Phyl called to see how Pearl was getting on, she found her still curled

up sulkily in her arm-chair. (Lindsay)

Though I had now extinguished my candle and was laid down in bed, I could

not sleep. (Ch. Bronte)

If any shareholder has any question to put, I shall be glad to answer it.

(Galsworthy)

2. An adverbial clause of result coming after the principal clause, which is usually the case, is often separated by a comma.

The thicket was as close as a brush; the ground very treacherous, so that we

often sank in the most terrifying manner. (Stevenson)

Exercise 1.