Indefinite vs. Definite   POSTMODIFIERS   RESTRICTIVE RELATIVE CLAUSES: The second most common form of postmodification requiring the definite article is relative clauses that restrict the meaning of the noun to one specific instance of that noun. relative clauses can occur in the full form (starting with the relative pronouns who, that or which), reduced form (the relative pronouns are omitted leaving -ing and -ed participles), or prepositional phrases from which the verb has been deleted. Full Relative clauses:   The man who is wearing the pink tie is my professor.   The fields that fall under the "nanoscale" umbrella are many and diverse.   Reduced Relative clauses:   Among the challenges facing us are those concerned with creating enabling technologies. ( = the challenges that will be facing us...)   This technique is similar to the approach used by the semiconductor industry. ( = the approach that has been used by...)   Defining Prepositional Phrases:   The population density in Japan is nearly four times that of the Netherlands. ( = density that is found in japan...)   We lack the resources to address this problem. ( = resources that are needed to address...)   Be careful to not confuse "Identifying" relative clauses (requires ‘the’) with "Classifying" relative clauses (requires ‘a/an’). Classifying relative clauses are typical of formal definitions and describe the class of things that the term belongs to.   "Identifying" relative clause:   Select the device that you want to change by clicking on the link below.   "Classifying" relative clause: TERM CLASS DEFINING DETAILS A Cell Phone is a device that uses a microwave radio signal to link into pre-existing telephone communication grids.     Press the button below to see how shared information can make a noun unique:

Finnish Virtual University / © 2006 Miraftabi, McAnsh & Pennington