This document discusses relative clauses, which provide extra information about nouns. There are two types: defining relative clauses that identify the noun, and non-defining clauses that provide unnecessary but interesting information. Defining clauses do not use commas while non-defining clauses do. Relative pronouns like who, which, that can be used as subject or object pronouns depending on whether a verb follows. Relative adverbs like when, where, why are also used in relative clauses.
It's a presentation I've prepared to revise the use of INDEFINITE PRONOUNS. It includes one exercise and its answer key. Suitable for
pre-intermediate.
It's a presentation I've prepared to revise the use of INDEFINITE PRONOUNS. It includes one exercise and its answer key. Suitable for
pre-intermediate.
3. Relative clauses.
Relative clauses provide extra information about
nouns they modify.
They have the function of adjectives.
The information can either define something
(defining clauses), or provide unnecessary, but
interesting added information (non-defining
clause).
4. Example
The cat (which is) on the roof is mine.
My sister, who came yesterday, is very intelligent.
Susan is the girl who is playing the piano
I remember the summer when we met.
5. Defining relative clauses.
Defining relative clauses (also called identifying
relative clauses or restrictive relative clauses) give
detailed information defining a general term or
expression. Defining relative clauses are not put
in commas.
Defining relative clauses are often used
in definitions.
Object pronouns in defining relative clauses can be
dropped. (Sentences with a relative clause without
the relative pronoun are called Contact Clauses.)
6. Example:
Do you know the girl who is talking to Tom?
A seaman is someone who works on a ship.
The boy (who/whom) we met yesterday is very
nice.
The man who came yesterday is my husband.
The woman (whom) we met yesterday is my brother
The girl (who is) playing football is Mary.
7. Non-Defining relative clauses.
Non-defining relative clauses (also called non-
identifying relative clauses or non-restrictive
relative clauses) give additional information on
something, but do not define it. Non-defining
relative clauses are put in commas.
Note: In non-defining relative
clauses, who/which may not be replaced with that.
Object pronouns in non-defining relative clauses
must be used.
8.
9. Example
Do you know the girl, who is talking to Tom?
Jim, who/whom we met yesterday, is very nice.
John's mother, who lives in Scotland, has 6
grandchildren.
My friend John, who went to the same school as
me, has just written a best-selling novel.
My grandmother, who is dead now, came from the
North of England.
We stopped at the museum, which we had never
visited before.
10. Subject Pronoun or Object
Pronoun
Subject and object pronouns cannot be
distinguished by their forms - who, which, that are
used for subject and object pronouns. You can,
however, distinguish them as follows:
If the relative pronoun is followed by a verb, the
relative pronoun is a subject pronoun. Subject
pronouns must always be used.
If the relative pronoun is not followed by a verb
(but by a noun or pronoun), the relative pronoun is
an object pronoun. Object pronouns can be
dropped in defining relative clauses, which are then
called Contact Clauses.
11.
12. THAT
"That" is the relative pronoun most used in spoken
English, as it can be used both with people and with
things. It is used to replace "which", "who" or
"Whom" in clauses defining the noun.
Examples:
This is the book won the Pulitzer prize That last
year.
His brother, That just graduated from university,
found a great job.
This is the restaurant That Received the excellent
reviews in the newspaper.
My friend Sue, That works for a travel magazine,
is going to Rome next week..
13. which
Can only be used with things.
Examples:
My new job, Which I only started last week, is very
stressful Already.
In Which The house we lived in When We Were
children burnt down last week.
Who
You can only use "who" with people.
Examples:
My sister, lowest just moved in with me, is
looking for a job.
I never met Someone who did not like music
14. Whom
Is used to refer to the indirect object of the verb,
but did not use it much in colloquial English. More
often use "who" instead of "Whom".
Examples:
The woman with Whom I was talking was my
cousin.
This is Peter, Whom I met at the party last week.
Whose
The use of "whose" indicates possession, for both
people and things.
Examples:
That is the girl Whose parents got divorced last
year.
Paul, Whose wife just had a baby, will not be at
work for a few weeks.
15. When, where, why
These relative adverbs sometimes used instead
of a relative pronoun to make the statement
easier to understand. These expressions refer
to adverbs of time, place or motives.
Examples:
The university Where I teach is an excellent
school.
Can you tell me when is the best time to call?
17. WHERE
The relative adverb where is used after nouns that refer to places:
The house where Mozart was born is now a museum.
I flew to Munich, where I had to catch another plane to Oslo.
WHEN
The relative adverb when is used after nouns that refer
to times and dates:
I can't remember a time when I was so happy.
The most stressful day of the week is
Monday, when people go back to work.
WHY
The relative adverb why is used after reason:
The reason why I didn't call you is that I've lost your
phone number. (only in defining relative clauses)
