RELATIVE CLAUSES• Subordinate clause: two verbs in the same sentence.

I passed the exam which we did last week.

• Add information: important or not (extra/additional)

The Alhambra, which is in Granada, is a moorish castle.

My brother, who is two years older than me, is studying medicine.

(I know what and who I’m talking about in both cases)

• Always need a relative pronoun (sometimes omitted)

IMPORTANT INFO1. To make clear what we are talking about:

They bought Mary the bike which she liked. (THAT bike, not any other bike, THAT ONE).

2. No commas.

3. Relative pronouns can be omitted if they are NOT the SUBJECT.

I haven’t read the email (which) he sent me.

Can you pass me the book which is on the table?

4. Can use THAT as a relative pronoun.

DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE (ESPECIFICATIVAS)

EXTRA INFO1. Between commas

New York, which is in the East Coast, is an amazing city.

I've always wanted to go to New York, which is an amazing city.

2. Relative pronouns CANNOT be omitted.

3. CANNOT use THAT as a relative pronoun.

NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE (EXPLICATIVAS)

Which: things / clause Who: people

Whose: possessionWhere = in which: place

When: time What = the things that

Why: that’s the reason why

1) REMEMBER: A PRONOUN REPLACES A NOUN

Have you seen those people who we met [them] on holiday?

The house which we rented [it] in London had two bedrooms.

That’s the park where we hang out [there] every weekend.

RELATIVE PRONOUNS

• Chris did really well in his exams, which is quite a surprise.

• She's studying to become a doctor, which is difficult.

3) WHICH can also refer to the whole clause before it.

I’m going to Canada next summer, which is amazing.

which = THE FACT that I’m going to Canada next summer.

He broke up with her on her birthday, which broke her heart.

which = THE FACT that he broke up with her on her birthday.

2) THAT - after all, everything, nothing, something and superlatives.

Is that the best that you can do?

Nothing that you can say will make me feel better.

WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT?

• The MOST IMPORTANT information is in the main sentence.

• LESS IMPORTANT information is in the relative clause.

The film Avatar, which was directed by James Cameron, won three Oscar Awards.

My friend John, who is in my class, has just won a poetry contest.

PREPOSITIONS

FORMAL / INFORMAL STYLE

• INFORMAL STYLE: the preposition is placed after the verb.

This is the book which I told you about.

That’s the girl who I was talking to.

• FORMAL STYLE: the preposition is placed before the verb.

This is the book about which I told you.

That’s the girl to whom I was talking. (PREPOSITION in front of WHO = WHOM)

WHOM• After a preposition in formal context.

For whom is this present?

To whom am I speaking?

• Usually for direct objects.

• The person whom you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.

That’s the house where I live.

That’s the house (that) I live in.

That’s the house (which) I live in.

PLACE: WHERE, THAT… IN, IN WHICH