This document provides examples and explanations of when to use relative pronouns such as "that", "which", or omitting the pronoun altogether based on whether the embedded sentence contains a preposition or what the pronoun refers to. Key factors are whether the embedded sentence contains a preposition, and if the relative pronoun stands for the subject or object. Examples are given for each scenario.

1. Pages 245-146, Exercise 14
Using relative pronouns when, that
or 0
(0 = no relative pronoun is needed)

2. Pages 245-146, Exercise 14
In this exercise, you need to
think about two different
factors:

3. When you use when as a relative
pronoun, it’s because the embedded
sentence has a preposition.
AND
You can leave out the pronoun when
it stands for an object in the
embedded sentence.

4. #1. Six o’clock is the time
_________ the auction
stops

5. Main Sentence:
Six o’clock is the time.
Embedded Sentence:
The auction stops at the
time.

6. There is a preposition in the
embedded sentence, so we use the
relative pronoun when:
1. Six o’clock is the time
when the auction stops.

7. Also, the relative pronoun stands
for an object in the embedded
sentence:
Embedded Sentence:
The auction stops at the
time.

8. Therefore, you can leave out the
relative pronoun if you prefer:
1. Six o’clock is the time when
the auction stops.
Six o’clock is the time the
auction stops.
Both sentences are correct.

9. 2. Do you remember the year
_________ Meg Whitman
started to work for eBay?

10. Main Sentence:
Do you remember the year?
Embedded Sentence:
Meg Whitman started to
work for eBay in the year.

11. There is a preposition in the
embedded sentence:
Embedded Sentence:
Meg Whitman started to
work for eBay in the year.

12. Therefore, use relative pronoun
when:
2. Do you remember the
year when Meg Whitman
started to work for eBay?

13. Also, the relative pronoun stands
for an object in the embedded
sentence:
Embedded Sentence:
Meg Whitman started to
work for eBay in the year.

14. Therefore, you can leave out the
relative pronoun if you prefer:
2. Do you remember the year when Meg
Whitman started to work for eBay?
Do you remember the year Meg
Whitman started to work for eBay?
Both sentences are correct.

15. 3. 2008 was a year _______
had 366 days.

16. Main Sentence:
2008 was a year.
Embedded Sentence:
The year had 366 days.

17. There is no preposition in the
embedded sentence, so we use the
relative pronoun that or which:
3. 2008 was a year that
had 366 days.

18. Also, the relative pronoun stands
for the subject in the embedded
sentence:
Embedded Sentence:
The year had 266 days.

19. Therefore, it is not possible to
omit the relative pronoun.
You can use either that or which,
but the relative pronoun is
required.

20. 4. New Year’s Eve is a time
___________ I love.

21. Main Sentence:
New Year’s Eve is a time.
Embedded Sentence:
I love the time.

22. There is no preposition in the
embedded sentence, so we use the
relative pronoun that or which:
4. New Year’s Eve is a time
which I love

23. However, in this case the relative
clause stands for an object in the
embedded sentence:
Embedded Sentence:
I love the time.

24. Therefore, you can omit the
relative pronoun. There are three
ways to say this sentence that
are all equally correct:
New Year’s Eve is a time that I love.
New Year’s Eve is a time which I love.
New Year’s Eve is a time I love.

25. Now you try it:
5. February is the only month
__________ has fewer than
30days.

26. Main Sentence:
February is the only month.
Embedded Sentence:
February has fewer than 30
days.

27. Ask yourself:
• Does the embedded
sentence have a
preposition?
• Does the relative
pronoun stand for the
subject or the object?

28. Now you try it:
6. My birthday is a day
________ I think about my
past.

29. Main Sentence:
My birthday is a day.
Embedded Sentence:
I think about my past on
that day.

30. Ask yourself:
• Does the embedded
sentence have a
preposition?
• Does the relative
pronoun stand for the
subject or the object?

31. Now you’re on your own!