Relative Clauses
• Relative Pronouns:
• - Who/Whom
• - Which
• - That
• - When
• - Where
• - Whose
Uses
OBJECT PERSON PLACE TIME
Who/Whom
Which (with preposition) (with preposition)
That
Where
When
Whose(possession)
Types
Defining: when the clause has the
function of identifying or classifying the
noun/pronoun they are referring to. They
are also called identifying/restrictive.
Non-defining: when the clause has the
function of giving extra information about a
noun/pronoun that is already identified.
They are also called non-identifying/non-
restrictive.
Examples
• The doctor, who came early, advised
her to stay in bed for two days.
Non-Defining
• The doctor who came early advised
her to stay in bed for two days.
Defining
WHO vs. WHOM
- - “Who” is substituted by “whom” when the person you are referring to
has an object function in the relative clause.
- - WHOM: Formal register.
- - WHO: Informal register.
- - THAT can substitute “who” but not “whom” in informal defining
relative clauses. It cannot substitute “whom” because it cannot be
preceded by a preposition.
- -- “Whom” cannot be changed by “who” when it is preceded by a
preposition.
Examples
• Whom shall we call?
• By whom are they elected?
• Two girls whom I met in Boston
• Lord Singleton, for whom she had immense
respect
WHICH
- “Which” and “that” are interchangeable in defining
relative clauses.
-WHICH: Formal register
-THAT: Informal register
- “Which” can refer to the whole previous clause.
WHEN & WHERE
- WHEN is used to refer to time. An equivalent structure is the
use of “which” preceded by the pertinent preposition. The only
condition is that the relative clause must be defining.
I’ll never forget the day when/on which I first met you.
- WHERE is used to refer to place. Whenever the relative
clause is defining, “where” can also be substituted by “which”
preceded by a preposition.
Do you know a shop where/in which I can find sandals?
WHOSE
-- It indicates possession. It usually relates to a person,
but it can also relate to things.
I saw a girl whose hair came down to her waist.
I wouldn’t fly with an airline whose safety record is so poor.
This game, whose rules I don’t understand, was his
favourite.
Omission of the Relative
Pronoun
- Defining relative clauses have the possibility of omitting the
relative pronoun whenever they are functioning as object of
the relative clause. (INFORMAL REGISTER)
What did you think of the wine (that/which)drank last night?
I poured him a glass of wine, which he drank at once.
I feel sorry for the man (whom/who) she married later.
Reduced Relative Clauses
- An –ing participle or an –ed participle can be used instead of a relative
pronoun and a full verb.
Anyone touching that wire will get a shock.
(Anyone who touches that wire will get a shock.)
The baby, having finished his supper, asked for his bottle.
(The baby, who had finished his supper, asked for his bottle.)
I found him sitting at a table covered with papers.
(I found him sitting at a table which/that was covered with papers.)
That table, now covered by papers, brings me good memories of my
youth.
(That table, which is now covered by papers, brings me good
memories of my youth.)
