Relative Clauses

Relative Clauses

1. Defining (identifying)

   • We CAN'T omit the relative clause
     • It's the job which I would like to have
     • It's the job
   • NO commas
   • Relative pronoun + preposition
     • M Barry is the man to whom I sent the letter (Formal)
     • M Barry is the man I sent the letter to (Standard)
   • We can omit the relative pronoun when it refers to the Direct Object
     • She's the woman who I saw.
     • She's the woman I saw
   • Relative pronouns
     • SUBJECT
       • People (who/that): She's the woman who (that) reads the news on TV
       • Animals and things (which/that): That's the kind of dog which (that) makes a good pet
     • OBJECT
       • People (who/that): She's the woman who I saw on TV
         • to/ for/ whith whom: to whom it may concern...
       • Animals and things (which/that): This is the house which we live in
     • POSSESSION
       • People, animals and things (whose): She's the woman whose car was stolen
   • They provide information which is essential to identify the noun described

2. Non defining (non-identifying)

   • They give extra information, so we CAN omit the relative clause
     • Jane, who I bought my car, has gone to the States
     • Jane has gone to the States
   • We can't omit the relative pronoun
     • The summer here, which I don't like, lasts for months
     • The summer here, I don't like, lasts for months
   • We use COMMAS
   • Relative Pronouns
     • SUBJECT
       • Person (who): His wife, who is French, speaks 3 languages
       • Animals/Things (which): The PCs, which have been on sales, proved to be fantastic
     • OBJECT
       • Person (who/whom): His wife, who I met in Paris, is brilliant
       • Animals/things (which): The book, which I finished yesterday, is ok
     • POSSESSION
       • Person/Animals/Things (whose): His wife, whose car was stolen, is very nice
   • They provide information that is NOT essential to identify the noun described

3. relative adverbs

   • time
     • Adverb: That was the year WHEN I graduated
   • place
     • Adverb: That's the factory WHERE I work
   • reason
     • Adverb: I'll tell you the reason WHY you were fired

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