ORT Greenberg K. Tivon1 Relative Clauses Irena Tseitlin (based on The Student ’ s Grammar Notebook ” by Linda Taharlev)

ORT Greenberg K. Tivon2 relative pronoun A clause is a part of a sentence. A RELATIVE CLAUSE begins with a relative pronoun (who, which, where, when, whose or with that). person thing A relative clause talks about the person or thing in the sentence.

ORT Greenberg K. Tivon3 We use who and sometimes that to refer to people in relative clauses. J erry Hansen, who became a millionaire at the age of 21, went to my high school. The teacher that I told you about is going to teach our class next year. We use which and that to refer to things in relative clauses. The shirt that my mother bought me is too big. The pills that the doctor prescribed make me dizzy.

ORT Greenberg K. Tivon4 Who We use whom after prepositions to refer to people. ( Who cannot follow a preposition.) From whom did you receive permission? Note: whom is used in formal speech and in writing. In informal speech or writing, use who, but don ’ t forget to include the preposition. Who did you receive permission from?

ORT Greenberg K. Tivon5 We use whose to talk about possession in relative clauses. Selena, whose family immigrated to the U.S. only 5 years ago, graduated at the top of her class.

ORT Greenberg K. Tivon6 We use where to refer to places in relative clauses. The store where I bought these shoes is having a sale.

ORT Greenberg K. Tivon7 Relative clauses A relative clause can come in the middle or at the end of a sentence. Some relative clauses tell us which person or which thing the sentence is talking about. no commas (In sentences like these, there are no commas which separate the relative clause from the rest of the sentence.) People who are on a diet should take a vitamin supplement. The books that you ordered have arrived.

ORT Greenberg K. Tivon8 Relative clauses Some relative clauses give you additional information about a person or a thing. In such sentences, we already know which person or thing. The relative clause tells us something more about them. Relative clauses which give additional information are usually separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Your Aunt Ruth, who doesn ’ t stop talking, called me this afternoon. Mickey Cohen, whose older brother went to school with us, is getting married!

ORT Greenberg K. Tivon9 Relative clauses left out The words who, which or that can be left out of the relative clause if they are followed by a subject. The woman (who) you called yesterday about the loan returned your call. If they are followed by a verb, they cannot be left out. All cars that are parked illegally will be towed away.