8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
1/14
RELATIVE CLAUSES
Relative PronounsThey do two jobs at once. They are used
as the subjects or objects of verbs, like
other pronouns; at the same time, theyjoin clauses together, like conjunctions.
What
s the name of the blonde girl? She justcame in.
Whats the name of the blonde girl who just
came in?
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
2/14
RELATIVE CLAUSES
The most common relative pronouns arewho, which, whom and that. Who and
whom are used for people; which is used
for things.Whom, (MUST be used after
prepositions) which refers to the object of
a verb or a preposition, is quite formal,not usually found in defining relative
clauses and much more common in non-
defining relative clauses.
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
3/14
RELATIVE CLAUSES
That can very often be used instead ofthe other relative pronouns. In fact, it is
often used (preferred) after quantities
like: all, every(thing), some(thing),any(thing), no(thing), none, little, few,
much, and only. Also, used after
superlatives. Theres nothing that can be done.
Is this all thats left? (More natural than Is this
all which is left?)
She
s the kindest woman thatIhave ever met.
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
4/14
RELATIVE CLAUSES
Defining Relative Clauses: They identify theperson or thing which we are talking about.
The information they provide could not easily
be left out. Is that the woman who wants to buy your car?
Non-defining Relative Clauses: They give
useful additional information, but they do not
identify the noun they qualify. They couldeasily be left out. They are seldom found in
speech. Ive justseen Thomas, who wants to buy your
car.
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
5/14
RELATIVE CLAUSESCHARACTERISTICS of defining and non-defining relative
clauses
DEFINING NON-DEFINING
No pauses in spoken language and nocommas in written language.
Pauses in spoken language and commasin written language.
Thatis very often used instead ofwho
/which.Could you iron the trousers that are
hanging up behind the door?
Thatcannot be used instead ofwho
/which.Ipassed him a large glass of whisky,
which he drank immediately.
We often leave out the relative pronoun ifit is the object of the verb in the relative
clause (common in spoken English:
contact clause).He is a man people like at first
sight.
Object pronouns cannot be left out.*Ipassed him a large glass of
whisky, he drank immediately.*
Prepositions can come either beforerelative pronouns or at the end of the
clause. Much more common at the end.
This is the room Churchill wasborn in.
Prepositions can come either beforerelative pronouns or at the end of the
relative clause. Usually before.
Repsol, of which the government hadan importantshare, has been sold.
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
6/14
The man who / that told me thisrefused to give me his name.
The man (who / that) I bought it from
told me to oil it. This is the picture which / that caused
such a sensation.
The car (which / that) I hired brokedown.
My neighbour, who is very pessimistic,
says there will be no apples this year.
RELATIVE CLAUSESEXAMPLES (1/2)
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
7/14
She wanted Tom, whom / who she
liked as a partner.
That block, which cost five million
pounds to build, has been empty for
years.
These books, which you can get at any
bookshop, will give you all theinformation you need.
Sherwood Forest, through which well
be driving, isnt a forest any longer.
RELATIVE CLAUSESEXAMPLES (2/2)
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
8/14
WHAT (the thing(s) that)
I gave her the money (which / that) she
needed.
Igave her just whatshe wanted.
WHOSE. This is a possessive relative word. It can
refer to people or things, although of which can be
used, and is sometimes preferred, for things. It is
useful to remember that whose cannot be omitted ina defining relative clause.
This is Henry, whose wife works for my brother-in-
law.
It was a meeting whose importance / the
RELATIVE CLAUSES
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
9/14
WHEN, WHERE, WHY (relative adverbs) 1/4After nouns referring to times and places,
when and where can be used to mean at
which or in which. After the word reason,whyis used to mean for which.The exam will be on Tuesday, when you said
would be better
This hotel, where I first met her, is my
favourite.
Is there any reason why you should have a
holiday?
RELATIVE CLAUSES
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
10/14
WHEN, WHERE, WHY (relative adverbs) 2/4
When is often replaced by that or even
dropped after common nouns referring totime (time, day, month, year) in an
informal style.
Can you suggest a time (when / that) it
will be convenient to meet?
Ill never forget the day (when / that) we
met.
RELATIVE CLAUSES
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
11/14
WHEN, WHERE, WHY (relative adverbs) 3/4
The same thing happens to where after
somewhere, anywhere, everywhere,nowhere and place, but not after other
words.
Have you gotsomewhere (that) I can
lie down for an hour?
We need a place (that) we can stay for
a few days.
RELATIVE CLAUSES
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
12/14
WHEN, WHERE, WHY (relative adverbs) 4/4
The same thing happens with why after
reason.The reason (that) youre so bad
tempered is that youre hungry.
After way, in which can be replaced by
thator dropped in an informal way.
I didnt like the way (that) she spoke to
me.
RELATIVE CLAUSES
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
13/14
WHICH referring to a whole clause (SentenceRelative)
The relative clause does not make reference to the
noun before it, but to the whole of the previous
clause: He showed me a photo that upset me. (defining
relative clause)
He got married again a year later, which surprised
everybody. He showed me a photo, which upset me. (sentence
relative)
She cycled from London to Glasgow, which is
pretty good for a woman of 75. (sentence relative)
RELATIVE CLAUSES
8/7/2019 Bridges2-Unit05-CW-RelativeClauses-1 0-11
14/14
Top Related