Relative clauses

Relative clauses

Tec de Monterrey

Relative pronouns

We need to use the correct word to express the idea correctly:

• Person --> who

• Place --> where

• Animals/objects --> which

• A possession --> whose

• We can replace who/which --> that

For example:

• I told you about the woman who lives next door.

• Do you see the cat which is lying on the roof?

• This is the house where I grew up.

• Do you know the boy whose mother is a nurse?

• 
  

Question time

Be ready!

Multiple Choice

Select the best relative pronoun:

This is the bank _______ was robbed last night.

• which

• who

• whom

Multiple Choice

A boy ______ sister is in my class was in the bank at that time.

• who

• whose

• which

Multiple Choice

The man _______ robbed the bank had two pistols.

• that

• whose

• which

Relative clauses

In general...

Relative clauses give extra information

• Sometimes is relevant information (defining clauses)

• and other times is just extra, and sometimes unnecessary, information (non-defining clauses)

Defining clauses

(relevant information)

• We don't use commas to separate the information

• The information after the relative pronoun is essential to distinguish what we are talking about.

Examples

• This is the music which was used in the show.

• Have they found the prisoner who escaped last week?

• This is the school where I studied in my childhood.

Non-defining clauses

(uninmportant information)

• We need to use commas to separate the info.

• The info is extra, and sometimes unnecessary. It's not essential to distinguish anything.

• In this particular case, we cannot use that. Be careful with it!

Examples

• This music, which I really like, was used at the show.

• My sister, who I haven't seen in ages, is coming for Thanksgiving. 

• That school, where I studied, is one of the best in the country.

A kind reminder:

WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH WHICH

Quiz time!

Be ready

Multiple Choice

Select the best option. Be careful with commas if needed:

That painting __________ is one of the most representative works of the XIX century.

• , which was finished in 1850,

• who was painted

• , that was finished in 1915,

Multiple Choice

This is the person ______ I introduced you a few weeks ago.

• who

• , who,

• which

Multiple Choice

Do you know the musician ______ ?

• , that is playing the guitar,

• who is playing the guitar

• , which is playing the guitar

Multiple Choice

That's the man ______ daughter has won the lottery.

• whose

• which

• that

Multiple Choice

This is the place ______ I saw him the last time.

• wich

• where

• that

Have you got any questions?

That's all my darlings!

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