What characteristic of a relative clause helps to identify it?

A relative clause is defined by its function of providing additional information about a noun and is specifically marked by including both a subject and a verb. This structure allows the relative clause to form a complete thought while also connecting back to the noun it modifies. For instance, in the sentence "The book that you gave me was fascinating," the clause "that you gave me" functions as a relative clause, offering extra detail about "the book."

The presence of both a subject and a verb is essential for distinguishing relative clauses from other types of clauses, as it indicates that the clause contains an action or a state of being relevant to the subject. This aspect is crucial for understanding how the relative clause integrates into the larger sentence structure, fulfilling its descriptive role.

Other options do not consistently apply characteristics of relative clauses. For instance, while some relative clauses may begin with a conjunction, not all conjunctions serve this function. Additionally, relative clauses do not function exclusively as adverbs; rather, they serve to modify nouns. Lastly, while a direct object might be present in a complete sentence, it is not a defining feature of relative clauses themselves.