Relative ClausesTo conclude this section. It seems that the distribution of elements in an English
sentence is partly due to structural conditions imposed by X-bar theory and the
selectional requirements of certain heads, partly due to the morphological properties of
certain heads and partly due to general ordering requirements affecting certain
elements. Specifically we have seen the effects of the following conditions:
(71) a verbs follow their subjects
b negation follows the finite tense and precedes the verb
c adverbs (follow the finite tense and) precede the verb
The brackets around the condition in (71c) indicate that this seems to be a preference
rather than a rigid condition and that if it is impossible for the adverb to both follow
the tense and precede the verb, both are in the same place for example, then the
condition may be relaxed.
4 Relative Clauses
There is another construction in English which looks like an embedded interrogative
clause, but which is very different in interpretation. This clause acts as the modifier of
the noun inside the DP:
(72) a I asked [who you met]
b the man [who you met]
Such noun modifier clauses are called relative clauses.
4.1 The position of the relative clause inside the NP
As relative clauses seem to modify nouns we can assume that they occupy a position
within the phrase headed by the noun. There is evidence that this is so as the noun and
the relative clauses can be pronominalised and coordinated separately from the
determiner:
(73) a the [mistake that I made] was much bigger than that one
b these [components that we make] and [boxes that we pack them in]
There are two possible adjunction sites inside the NP: the N' and the NP itself.
There is some evidence that relative clauses are adjoined to the N'. For example, if it is
the case that the adjectival phrase is adjoined to the N', then the fact that the relative
clause can be adjoined lower still than APs indicates that they must also be adjoined to
N' and not to the NP:
(74) my favourite [places I like to go] and [people I like to visit]
In this example, the AP favourite modifies both places I like to go and people I like to
visit, indicating that these are below the adjective: