Relative clauses December, 2013 Tomašević Snežana

Definition A relative clause is a part of a sentence beginning with a relative pronoun (although this pronoun can be omitted in certain cases) that gives additional / detailed information. 2

Relative Pronouns Who Which Whose Where When What That

The boy who is dancing The girls who are talking The girl who is riding a motorcycle The boys who are playing chess Refers to people

5 who I usually speak to the woman. She owns the hotel. I usually speak to the womanwhoowns the hotel. Use: people

The film which we watched The elephant which is at the Zoo The pencils which are in the mug The paella which we ate yesterday The shoes which she likes

7 which I have got a lovely dog.It has got white fur. I have got a lovely dogwhichhas got white fur. Use: things/animals

8 that She’s the teacher who came to our school last week. This is the house which belongs to my friend. Use: That can replace who or which in defining relative clauses and in an informal style. She’s the teacher that came to our school last week. This is the house that belongs to my friend.

Bembibre, the village where I live The high school where we study New York, where the Empire State is London, where we went

Refers to time The time when we start classes In summer when it is sunny The moment/day/month/year when we met At night when we sleep

Refers to a whole idea not mentioned. He does not like what the newspaper says I don’t understand what I am listening Do you know what is in the box?

WhoseWhose The teacher whose sweater is red is Chinese Cervantes, whose novel is El Quixote, was Spanish. Whose for the possessive case. It joins an owner with an object possessed.

Kinds of relative clauses Defining Non- defining Students who develop independent learning skills achieve good academic results. Albert Einstein, who put forward the theory of relativity, is considered by many as the most intelligent person in human history.

Defining clauses give detailed information defining a general term or expression. give detailed information defining a general term or expression. Do you know the girl who is talking to Tom? are often used in definitions are often used in definitions A sailor is someone who works on a ship. Object pronouns in defining relative clauses can be omitted. The boy (who/whom) we met yesterday is very nice.

Non-defining clauses give additional information on something, but do not define it. give additional information on something, but do not define it. are put between commas. are put between commas. Mary, who is talking to Tom, is my friend Note: In non-defining relative clauses, who/which may not be replaced with that. Object pronouns in non-defining relative clauses must be used. Jim, who we met yesterday, is very nice.

Subject Pronoun or Object Pronoun? 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 followed by a verb, the relative pronoun is a subject pronoun. Subject pronouns must always be used. The book which/that is on the table... 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 omitted in defining relative clauses, which are then called Contact Clauses. 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 omitted in defining relative clauses, which are then called Contact Clauses. The book (which/that) George put on the table...

Relative Pronouns in Defining Relative Clauses

PersonObject Subjectwhowhich Object who, whom which Possessivewhosewhose Relative Pronouns in Non-Defining Relative Clauses

19 1.He’s the man. He painted my house. 2. What is the name of the boy? He telephoned you. 3. They are the people. They are offering Sue a job. 4. That’s the woman. She works in the post office. 5. Please, give me the keys. They are on the table. He’s the man who painted my house. What is the name of the boy who telephoned you? That’s the woman who works in the post office. Please, give me the keys which are on the table. They are the people who are offering Sue a job. Who / which / that