Relative Clauses

Relative Clauses

1. Defining

   • It tells which noun we're talking about
   • Relative Pronoun is the subject
     • We can't drop it!
     • I'm looking for a secretary who / that can use a computer well. (After the object) The camera which / that costs £100 is over there. (After the subject)
   • Relative pronoun is the object
     • We can drop it!
     • She loves the chocolate (which / that) I bought. (After the object) The university (which / that) she likes is famous (After the subject)
   • Who / that (people)
   • Which / that (things)

2. Non-defining

   • It gives us extra information
   • Who (people)
   • Which (things)
   • We can't use "that"
   • Between commas
   • Whose (people and things)
     • Relative pronoun is always the subject
       • We can't drop it!
       • The dog is over there. The dog's / its owner lives next door. The dog whose owner lives next door is over there.
       • The little girl is sad. The little girl's / her doll was lost. The little girl whose doll was lost is sad.
   • Relative Pronoun is the subject
     • We can't drop it!
     • My boss, who is very nice, lives in Manchester. The photographer called to the Queen, who looked annoyed.
   • Relative pronoun is the object
     • We can't drop it!
     • Last week I bought a new computer, which I don't like now. My sister, who I live with, knows a lot about cars.

3. Verbs with Prepositions

   • At the end of the clause (informal)
     • My brother met a woman (who / that) I used to work with.
     • The music (which / that) Julie listens to is good.
   • Before the relative clause (formal)
     • Preposition + who = preposition + whom
       • My brother met a woman with whom I used to work.
     • Preposition + that / which = preposition + which
       • The music to which Julie listens is good.

4. Question Words

   • Where / When / In which
     • I live in a city. I study in the city.
       • I live in the city where I study.
       • I live in the city that / which I study in.
       • I live in the city in which I study.