...that I want to buy

Question

This is the car that I want to buy.Is "that I want to buy" a relative and content clause at the same time in the sentence above?

Vsuresh · Accepted Answer

I see it as a relative clause only.

BillJ · Answer

This is the car that I want to buy.

No, the underlined is just a relative clause. To be a relative clause and a content clause at the same time would be impossible.

There are two major difference between the two types of clause:

1. Relative clauses always contain a relativised element – actually present or understood – that is anaphorically related to an antecedent. Content clauses, on the other hand, contain no such link.

2. Relative clauses typically function as modifiers of nouns and nominal. By contrast, content clauses almost always function as complements of verbs, as well as of nouns, adjectives and prepositions. Further, declarative content clauses can function as subjects and extraposed subjects, but relative clauses can't.

...that I want to buy

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