Relative clauses

RELATIVE CLAUSES

Relative clauses are often called adjective clauses, because they add information to the meanings of nouns, rather like adjectives. Compare: ripe plums = plums that are ready to eat

What are they?

2 TYPES

TYPE 1:DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

TYPE 2:NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

These provide essential information about the subject or object:-: What kind of government would you like? A government which promises to cut taxes.

DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

Non-defining relative clauses.These provide additional information which can be omitted. These clauses use a comma.

The government, which promises to cut taxes, will be popular.

RELATIVISERS

8

WHO

THAT

WHICH

WHEN

WHERE

WHOM

WHOSE

WHY

WHO

VS

Used for both types of relative clauses

Used for people

WHICH

Used for both types of relative clauses

Used for things or animals

WHOSE

VS

Used for both types of relative clauses

Used when talking about a relation of belonging/possession.

WHOM

Used for both types of relative clauses

Used for people in non-subject functions. Very formal.

THAT

THATCan be used instead of 'which' 'who' in defining relative clauses

'That' cannot be changed for 'which' 'who' in non-defining relative clauses.

Relative pronouns as subject: People: he is the man who/that lives next door. Things: this is the photo which/that shows my house. Possession: he is the man whose car was stolen.

Relative pronouns as object: People: He is the man (who(m) /that/that) l met. People: He is the man (that/who)I gave the money to. Things: This is the photo (which /that) l took.

Relative pronouns relating to people: object functionWe can leave out the relative pronoun when it is an object function and if it is a defining relative clause.______________________He is the man who(m)/that she saw at the shop yesterday. She is the woman who(m)/that she saw at the shop yesterday.They are the men who(m)/that she saw at the shop yesterday.They are the women who(m)/that she saw at the shop yesterday. We can use that, whom or who. Whom is more formal. We cannot leave out the relative pronoun when it is the subject of the relative clause.

NON-DEFININGEXAMPLES

o The astronauts are expected to land on the moon shortly. They are reported to be very cheerful.

o The astronauts, who are reported to be very cheerful, are expected to land on the moon shortly.

o The Thames is now clean enough to swim in. It was polluted for over a hundred years.

o The Thames, which is now clean enough to swim in, was polluted for over a hundred years.

DEFININGEXAMPLES

o The millionaire has made a public appeal.His son ran away from home a week ago.

o The millionaire whose son ran away a week ago has made a public appeal.

RELATIVE ADVERBS

Refers to the place where something takes place.

WHERE

This is the house where I lived as a child.This is Brigs' bakery where you can get great cakes.

Refers to the time when something takes place.

WHEN

That was the time when I went home for dinner.It was the day when we met.

Refers to reasons

WHY

This is the reason why she can't come to the party.

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