Which functions does a relative clause primarily serve?

• A. To connect two independent clauses
• B. To substitute for a noun
• C. To provide additional detail about a noun
• D. To contrast two ideas

Answer: (C)

A relative clause primarily serves to provide additional detail about a noun. It enhances a sentence by adding descriptive information without creating a separate or independent clause. For example, in the sentence “The book that I borrowed was fascinating,” the relative clause “that I borrowed” gives more context about which book is being referred to, thereby enriching the meaning.

This function makes relative clauses particularly useful in both spoken and written language, as they allow for more complex and informative sentence structures. They often begin with relative pronouns such as "who," "which," or "that," which link the clause to the noun being described.

The other choices reflect different grammatical functions but do not accurately capture the primary role of a relative clause. For instance, while relative clauses do link ideas, they do so specifically by elaborating on nouns rather than connecting independent clauses directly. Similarly, they do not replace nouns outright or serve the purpose of contrasting ideas; rather, they focus on providing specific information that further characterizes the noun in question.