Precision in Professional Communication - Relative Clauses

Precision in Professional Communication - Relative Clauses

Business writing that demands clarity relies on precise communication techniques. Relative clauses are your secret weapon for adding detailed information to your sentences, making your communication more refined and professional.

What Are Relative Clauses?

Relative clauses are groups of words that provide additional information about a noun. They help you combine ideas into more sophisticated and flowing sentences, reducing the need for multiple short statements. Think of them as a way to pack more meaning into fewer words.

Two Types of Relative Clauses

1. Defining Relative Clauses

Defining relative clauses provide essential information that is crucial to understanding the meaning of the sentence. Without these clauses, the meaning would be incomplete or unclear.

Key Points:

• Use "that" or "which" for things

• Use "who" for people

• No commas are used

• The information is critical to understanding the noun

Examples:

2. Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Non-defining relative clauses add extra information that is interesting but not essential to the meaning of the sentence. These clauses are separated by commas and can be removed without changing the core meaning.

Key Points:

• Use "which" for things

• Use "who" for people

• Always use commas

• The information is supplementary

Examples:

Understanding Relative Clauses Through a Simple Example

Let's explore relative clauses using a scenario about sisters:

Scenario 1: One Sister

If you have only one sister, you might say:

Here, "who is an engineer" is a non-defining relative clause. The information about her being an engineer is extra - you're simply adding interesting details. If you removed "who is an engineer," the core meaning of the sentence remains clear.

Scenario 2: Two or More Sisters

If you have two sisters - one an engineer and one a doctor - and want to specify which sister bought the car, you would say:

Now, "who is an engineer" is a defining relative clause. This information is essential because it identifies which specific sister you're referring to.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Misplacing the Relative Pronoun Incorrect: "Here's the report that the errors were in." Correct: "Here's the report that contained the errors."

2. Unnecessary Relative Clauses Avoid adding clauses that don't provide meaningful information.

Practical Exercise - Answers Below

Rewrite these sentences using relative clauses:

1. The team completed the project. The project was critical to our annual goals.

2. Our new software platform increases productivity. It was developed by our in-house tech team.

3. We hired a consultant. The consultant specializes in digital transformation.

4. The marketing strategy has been successful. The strategy targets millennials.

5. Sarah leads the innovation team. She has over 15 years of experience.

Pro Tips for Using Relative Clauses

• Keep the clause close to the noun it describes

• Choose the right relative pronoun

• Use relative clauses to add precision, not complexity

• Read your sentence aloud to check clarity

Challenge Yourself

Next time you write an email or report, look for opportunities to use relative clauses. Can you make your writing more precise and professional?

Turning Priorities into Action

Last week, we discussed how to identify your priorities. This week, let’s explore why this process is essential and how taking consistent action can make all the difference.

I am passionate about investing and education - both my own and teaching others business English. What do these have in common? They take time. There’s no shortcut to mastering a skill or building wealth. Unfortunately, because the end goal often seems so distant, many people delay taking action.

Think about planting a tree. If you want a beautiful tree in your garden 10 years from now, you need to plant it today. The same is true for your goals. Whether it’s achieving C1 Advanced English level or building a portfolio to fund a comfortable retirement, delaying the start delays the result.

Breaking Down Long-Term Priorities

Big goals can feel overwhelming, but breaking them into smaller steps makes them achievable. For example:

• Improving English Proficiency: Set specific, manageable tasks, like attending one weekly lesson, practising with a language partner, completing online exercises or listening to podcasts.

• Health Goals: Create a routine with realistic activities, such as running twice a week or preparing healthy meals on Sundays.

• Investing: Invest what you can afford every week or every month (for ideas see our sister Financial Fluency newsletter).

The key is to make these steps measurable. Clear targets like “one hour of study per week”, “two workouts per week” or “200€ per month” help you track progress and build confidence.

Building Momentum with Weekly Planning

Weekly planning keeps you focused and accountable. Dedicate time to:

• Reviewing your priorities.

• Identifying key tasks for the week.

• Scheduling time to complete them.

Ask yourself:

• What are the most important tasks this week to move me closer to my goals?

• How much time can I realistically dedicate?

This regular practice helps you avoid distractions and ensures your actions align with your long-term vision.

Staying Flexible

Life doesn’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. What matters is maintaining consistency and adapting when needed. If you fall behind, reassess your priorities and adjust your timeline. The important thing is to keep going.

The Power of Action

Success in any area - whether education, health, or investing - requires taking action now. Don’t let the size of your goal or the time it will take hold you back. Instead, focus on what you can do today to make progress.

Plant the seeds for your future this week. What’s your first step?

Word of the Day: Accountable

Accountable - adjective - someone who is accountable is completely responsible for what they do and must be able to give a satisfactory reason for it.

Prepositions with Accountable

• Accountable to: This is used to indicate the person or group you are responsible to.

  • Example: As an employee, you are accountable to your manager.

  • Meaning: You are responsible for reporting to or justifying your actions to your manager.

• Accountable for: This is used to specify the task, action, or outcome you are responsible for.

  • Example: He is accountable for completing the project by the deadline.

  • Meaning: He is responsible for ensuring the project is finished on time.

As a CEO, you may be accountable to your shareholders, meaning you are responsible for the company's performance and must justify your decisions and actions to them.

As a business owner, you may be accountable to yourself, meaning you take personal responsibility for your goals, decisions, and the success of your business.

Practice

• Who are you accountable to at work or in your studies?

• What are you currently accountable for in your daily responsibilities?

Relative Clauses -Practical Exercise Answers

1. Defining Relative Clause: The team completed the project that was critical to our annual goals.

2. Non-Defining Relative Clause: Our new software platform, which was developed by our in-house tech team, increases productivity.

3. Defining Relative Clause: We hired a consultant who specializes in digital transformation.

4. Defining Relative Clause: The marketing strategy that targets millennials has been successful.

5. Non-Defining Relative Clause: Sarah, who has over 15 years of experience, leads the innovation team.

Do you have any Business English Questions?

Please email me and I will do my best to answer them in future newsletters.

Until next Wednesday - have a great week!

Iain.

www.communicateenglish.com