Question

In this sentence, Jessie injured the same ankle that was hurt before, I know that the relative clause is "that was hurt before" and is the adjective clause modifying the direct object of injured, the ankle. Then why is the noun function of the relative clause is the subject? All help is appreciated

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

What functions as a subject is not really the relative clause, but the relative pronoun - "that". Relative pronouns can act as subjects or objects in the clause they introduce. Let's compare:

1. I am the only person who saw Erica.

2. I am the only person who Erica saw and recognized.

Notice that in sentence 1, "who" is the subject of the clause "saw Erica". However, in sentence 2, "who" is the object. The subject of the verb "saw" now is "Erica".

The same happens in the clause "that was hurt before". The relative pronoun "that" - which is substituting the noun "ankle" - is the subject of the clause "was hurt before". Therefore, we can say its noun function is the subject.