Which term describes a relative clause not marked by explicit relative pronoun or complementizer?

Which term describes a relative clause not marked by explicit relative pronoun or complementizer?

• A. Reduced relative clause
• B. Relative clause
• C. Nonrestrictive clause
• D. Free relative clause

Answer: (A)

A reduced relative clause describes a noun with a clause that does the job of a relative clause but without an explicit relative pronoun or complementizer. It shortens the full form by using a participle instead of who/that is or was. For example, “The man walking down the street” means “The man who is walking down the street.” Here the relative pronoun and auxiliary are dropped, and the -ing participle stands in for the verb of the clause. Another form uses a past participle to show a passive meaning, as in “The book written by Tolstoy” for “The book that was written by Tolstoy.” This construction keeps the modification tight and directly attaches to the noun, which is why it’s described this way.