What is a Free Relative Clause?
A free relative clause is a highly advanced, specialized type of relative grammatical clause that remarkably functions as an entirely independent noun phrase.
The defining characteristic of a free relative clause is that it has the noun it refers to (the antecedent) completely "built-in" to the pronoun itself.
In a standard relative clause, the preceding noun stands separately from the relative pronoun:
- I will happily eat the thing [that you cook]. (The physical noun "thing" is visibly separated from the clause.)
In a free relative clause, the pronoun absorbs and includes the noun's meaning:
- I will happily eat [what you cook]. (The word "what" literally means "the thing that")
In this example, the entire bracketed clause "what you cook" mathematically acts as the direct object (O) of the verb "eat," just like a single noun would.
Free Relative Clause Structure and Formula
Because free relative clauses function entirely as nouns, you place them into a sentence anywhere a regular noun would go: as the subject, the object, or the complement.
S + V + [Free Relative Pronoun + S + V] (acting as Object)
[Free Relative Pronoun + S + V] (acting as Subject) + V + O
1. Using it as a Subject
The entire clause acts as the subject (S) performing the main verb's action.
- [What she said rapidly] surprised everyone in the room.
- [Whoever wins the final dramatic race] will receive a massive golden trophy.
2. Using it as a Direct Object
The entire clause receives the action of the main verb.
- You can easily invite [whoever you want to the party].
- I will actively buy [what I specifically need].
List of Pronouns Used in Free Relative Clauses
These highly specialized pronouns begin a free relative clause. Note that many utilize the "-ever" suffix to strongly indicate a vast sense of "any possible option" or "it absolutely does not matter."
| Free Pronoun | Built-in Hidden Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| what | the specific thing(s) that | I cannot hear what you are currently saying. |
| whatever | literally anything that | You can unapologetically do whatever you want. |
| who | the specific person who | I legitimately do not know who sent the beautiful flowers. |
| whoever | absolutely anyone who | Whoever physically arrives last will have to wait outside. |
| where | the specific place that | This historic spot is exactly where I grew up. |
| wherever | absolutely any place that | Please feel free to sit wherever you like today. |
| when | the specific time that | Midnight is exactly when the spectacular magic happens. |
| whichever | the one(s) that (from a tight limited choice) | Confidently choose whichever you vastly prefer, the red or the blue. |
How to Tell the Difference Between "What" and "That"
A notoriously common point of confusion for advanced learners is knowing whether to use "what" or "that." The trick revolves entirely around the presence of a leading noun.
| Grammar Rule | Usage Context | Example Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Use THAT | Use when there is a visible noun immediately prior. | I thoroughly loved the book that you kindly gave me. |
| Use WHAT | Use when there is NO preceding noun. | I thoroughly loved what you kindly gave me. |
Common Errors to Avoid:
| ✗ Incorrect Formatting | ✓ Grammatically Correct |
| :--- | :--- |
| I do not believe the thing what he clearly said. | I do not believe the thing that he clearly said. |
| I do not ultimately believe that he said. | I do not ultimately believe what he said. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can free relative clauses use commas?
Unlike non-defining relative clauses, free relative clauses practically never use commas. They function tightly as subjects or objects and should not be grammatically separated from their core verbs by commas.
Is "however" a free relative pronoun?
Yes! "How" and "however" can function identically as free relative pronouns referring to "the way that" or "any way that." Example: "You must precisely fix the system however you possibly can."
Are free relative clauses considered dependent or independent?
Even though a free relative clause contains a subject and a verb internally, it relies entirely on the main sentence to function as a noun, making the clause inherently dependent.
Summary & Cheatsheet for Free Relative Clauses
| Pronoun Focus Area | Function / Built-in Meaning | Formula Example |
|---|---|---|
| what, whatever | Physically refers to unknown things. | What you desperately need is a good, long rest. |
| who, whoever | Specifically refers to human people. | I will boldly speak to whoever is currently in charge. |
| where, wherever | Spatially refers to physical locations. | This dark alley isn't where I unfortunately left my shiny keys. |
| whichever | Specifically refers to a highly limited choice. | Take whichever you genuinely want the most. |
💡 The key takeaway: View a free relative clause as a phenomenally highly efficient "two-in-one" grammatical package. It is a full clause that miraculously mathematically acts precisely like a single, solitary noun object!