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Pedagogic Grammar

RELATIVE CLAUSES

Defining (identifying,

restrictive) clauses

Non-defining (non-

identfying, non-restrictive)

Connective

(Sentential)

relative

Describes the preceding

noun in such a way as to

distinguish if from other

nouns of the same class; it is essential to the clear

understanding of the noun;

No comma is used to

separate it;

Do not define the noun,

only add extra information;

Not essential, can be

omitted; Separated by commas

Pronouns cannot be

omitted;

More common in written

english

Refer not only

to the noun, but

to the whole

sentence[HE ate a

fungus], which

made him ill.

form: similar to

non-defining

clauses

Persons:

Subject Usually Who

The man who robbed you

has been arrested.That afterall, nobody, no

one, somebody, anybody

etc.

Who

!!!(*that)

Object of a

verb

Whom (most Formal,

Written)

Who

That

(most common in speech)

Whom (formal)

Who (informal)

With a

preposition

Preposition + Whom

(formal)

The man to whom I spoke

Who, That (informal) +

Preposition at the end of

clause

Preposition + Whom

Who (informal) +

Preposition at the end of

clause

possessive Whose whose

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Defining (identifying,

restrictive) clauses

Non-defining (non-

identfying, non-restrictive)

Connective

(Sentential)

relative

Things:

Subject Which (more formal)That Which!!!(*that)

Object of a

verb

Which

That, (esp. after all,

much, little, everything,

none, no, superlatives)

Which

!!!(*that)

Object of a

preposition

Preposition + Which

(formal)

Which, That, +

preposition at the end ofthe clause

Preposition + Which

(formal)

Which + preposition at the

end of the clause

possessive Whose + clause (formal)

With + phrase

Whose (for animals and

things)

Of which (very formal)

RELATIVE CLAUSES REPLACED BY A PRESENT PARTICIPLE

participles used as adjectives can replace participles:

most of thepeople inviteddidnt turn up. -> people who were invited

word order: participles cannot always be used as adjectives before nouns. When we put a

participle before a noun, it usually expresses some more permanent characteristic; it is more

like an adjective than a verb. E.g. an interesting book, but *the discussed problems

participle clauses can replace relative clauses:

e.g. Most of the people invited to the reception were old friends

Theres a woman crying her eyes out over there.

When the verb in the clause is in the continuous tense

People who were waiting for the bus often shelter in my doorway. -> People waiting

for the bus often

when the verb in the clause expresses habitual or continuous action

boys who attend this school have to wear uniform. -> Boys attending this school

when a verb in the clause expresses a wish (wish, desire, want, hope)

People who wish to go on the tour must book. -> people wishing to go

a non-defining clause containing one of the above verbs or verbs of knowing or

thinking (know, think, believe, expect)

Bill, who wanted to make an impression on Ann, took her to-> Bill, wanting to make

an impression on Ann, took her to