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 .

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Relative PronounsRelative Pronouns• WhoWho• WhichWhich• WhoseWhose• WhereWhere• WhenWhen• WhatWhat• ThatThat

The boy who is dancingThe boy who is dancing

The girls who are talkingThe girls who are talking

The girl who is riding a motorcycleThe girl who is riding a motorcycle

The boys who are playing chessThe boys who are playing chess

Refers to people

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who

I usually speak to the woman. She owns the hotel.

I usually speak to the woman who owns the hotel.

Use: people

The film which we watchedThe film which we watched

The elephant which is at the ZooThe elephant which is at the Zoo

The pencils which are in the mugThe pencils which are in the mug

The paella which we ate yesterdayThe paella which we ate yesterday

The shoes which she likesThe shoes which she likes

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which

I have got a lovely dog. It has got white fur.

I have got a lovely dog which has got white fur.

Use: things/animals

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thatShe’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 liveBembibre , the village where I live

The high school where we studyThe high school where we study

New York, where the Empire State isNew York, where the Empire State is

London, where we wentLondon, where we went

Refers to timeRefers to time

The time when we start classesThe time when we start classes

In summer when it is sunnyIn summer when it is sunny

The moment/day/month/year when we metThe moment/day/month/year when we met

At night when we sleepAt night when we sleep

Refers to a whole idea not mentionedRefers to a whole idea not mentioned..

He does not like He does not like whatwhat the newspaper says the newspaper says

I don’t understand I don’t understand whatwhat I am listening I am listening

Do you know Do you know whatwhat is in the box? is in the box?

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 clausesDefiningDefining

Non- definingNon- defining

Students who develop independent learning skills achieve good academic results.

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein, who put forward the theory of relativity, , who put forward the theory of relativity, is is considered by many as the most intelligent person in considered by many as the most intelligent person in human history. human history.

Defining clausesDefining clauses give give detailed information detailed information defining a general term or expression. defining a general term or expression.

Do you know the girl Do you know the girl whowho is talking to Tom? is talking to Tom?

are often used in are often used in definitionsdefinitions

A sailor is someone A sailor is someone whowho works on a ship. works on a ship.

Object pronouns in defining relative clauses can be omitted.Object pronouns in defining relative clauses can be omitted.

The boy (The boy (who/whomwho/whom)) we met yesterday is very nice.we met yesterday is very nice.

Non-defining clausesNon-defining clauses

give give additional information additional information on something, but do not define it. on something, but do not define it. are put are put between commasbetween commas..

MaryMary, who is talking to Tom, , who is talking to Tom, is my friendis my friend

NoteNote: In non-defining relative clauses, : In non-defining relative clauses, who/whichwho/which may not be may not be replaced with replaced with thatthat..

Object pronouns Object pronouns in non-defining relative clauses in non-defining relative clauses must be usedmust be used..

Jim,Jim, whowho we met yesterday, is very nice.we met yesterday, is very nice.

Subject Pronoun or Object Pronoun?Subject Pronoun or Object Pronoun?

IfIf the relative pronoun the relative pronoun is followed by a verbis followed by a verb, the relative , the relative pronoun is pronoun is a subject pronoun. a subject pronoun. Subject pronouns Subject pronouns must always must always be used.be used.

The book The book which/thatwhich/that is on the table is on the table......

If the relative pronoun If the relative pronoun is not followed by a verb is not followed by a verb (but by a (but by a noun or pronoun), the relative pronoun is noun or pronoun), the relative pronoun is an object pronounan object pronoun. . Object pronouns can be omitted in defining relative clauses, Object pronouns can be omitted in defining relative clauses, which are then called Contact Clauses.which are then called Contact Clauses.

The book The book (which/that) (which/that) George put on the tableGeorge put on the table......

Relative Pronouns in Defining Relative ClausesRelative Pronouns in Defining Relative Clauses

PersonPerson ObjectObject

SubjectSubject whowho whichwhich

ObjectObject who, whomwho, whom whichwhich

PossessivePossessive whosewhose whosewhose

Relative Pronouns in Non-Defining Relative Clauses

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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