Relative Clauses

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Relative Clauses

Relative clauses

We use relative clauses to join sentences and/or to give more information. 

(that, which, who, whose)

Defining vs non-defining

Defining clause: contains essential information 

The woman who used to babysit for us has just got married. (If we leave out 'the relative clause, we don't know which woman we're talking about)

Non-defining clause: gives us extra information (not essential)

Our former babysitter, who just got married last year, has just had her first child. 

Defining clauses

• NO commas are required at the beginning or end of the relative clauses
• We use 'who' for people and 'which' for things. We can use 'that' for people and things.
• The relative clause can come after the subject or object.

Examples:

It's not the kind of novel which/that appeals to me.

I know a boy whose father is a professional diver.

Defining clauses

The relative pronoun is the subject

That camera which/that costs $100 is over there.

The relative pronoun is the object 

I bought a camera which/that cost $100.

She has a son who/that is a doctor.

Defining clauses

The relative pronoun can be omitted if it is the object of the verb in the relative clause. 

- Just a quick note to thank you for the flower (which/that) I received.

verb + object -> received + the flower 

If the relative pronoun refers to the object (in this case the flower) you can leave it out.

Examples:

The car that she drives is over 10 years old.

The car she drives over 10 years old.

Note:

'When' and 'why' can also be omitted in the defining clauses

- I'll never forget the day (when) Geoff resigned. The reason (why) he left is still unclear.

NOTE: 'where' cannot be omitted: That's the shop where we bought our bed.

Non-Defining clauses

- 'that' cannot be used. we use 'who' for people and 'which' for things

-  the relative pronoun cannot be omitted.

- commas are required at the beginning and the end of the relative clause (except when the end of a relative clause is also the end of the sentence.

Example:His first novel, which was largely autobiographical, became an overnight success. (His first novel, was largely autobiographical, became an overnight success)

Non-defining clause

More examples:

Alan Smith, whose father is a professional driver, is the only boy in our class who can't even swim.

My boss, who is very nice, lives in Edinburgh.

Last week I bought a new computer, which I don't like anymore.

'Which' is used in non-defining relative clauses to refer to a whole clause:

He works 12 hours a day, which must be very tiring.

Quiz - Part 1

Relative clauses

1. See there, that's the place ______ I used to work.

1. when
2. whose
3. where

1. See there, that's the place where I used to work.

You need a relative pronoun that refers to a place.

2. The cake, ________ looked fantastic, got to your mum in time for her birthday.

1. that
2. which
3. no relative pronoun needed

2. The cake, which looked fantastic, got to your mum in time for her birthday.

As it's a non-defining relative clause we use 'which'.

3. She was someone ________ I always thought I could trust.

1. no relative pronoun needed
2. whose
3. where

3. She was someone I always thought I could trust. 

She was someone ____________ I always thought I could trust.

The relative pronoun would refer to the object of the verb in a defining relative clause so it can be left out.

verb (trust) + object (someone)

4. Isn't this the restaurant ________ someone got food poisoning?

1. no relative pronoun needed
2. when
3. where

5. Isn't this the restaurant where someone got food poisoning?

'Where' refers to a place, in this sentence, the restaurant.

5. My brother, ________ lives in Thailand, has just got married.

1. no relative pronoun needed
2. where
3. who
4. that

5. My brother, who lives in Thailand, has just got married. 

'Who' refers to a person.

Quiz - Part 2

Which as a relative pronoun

1. We had to cancel our holiday, which was frustrating.

1. the whole clause
2. we
3. our holiday

2. I'm writing with reference to the sales assistant job, which I'd like to apply for.

1. I
2. the whole clause
3. the sales assistant job

3. She's always complaining about stuff, which really gets on my nerves.

1. stuff
2. She
3. the whole clause