Relative Clauses

Relative Clauses

Theory and practice

Relative Clauses:

A relative clause gives information about a noun. It immediately follows the noun it describes and often begins with a relative pronoun such as who, which or when.

(a) A defining relative clause identifies the noun it refers to.

ex. What's the name of the man who has just arrived?

(b) A non- defining relative clause gives additional information about something that is already clearly identified. Non- defining relative clauses are separated by commas from the rest of the sentence and can be left out without affecting the meaning.

ex. Alex, who is married to my aunt, is a biologist.

WHO

Is used for people

example: The men who work there are on strike. (defining)

Open Ended

Your turn: Give an example of your own using "who" as a non- defining relative clause.

Which

Is used for things and animals

example: The library, which is next to the church, was burned down yesterday. (non- defining)

Open Ended

Your turn: Give an example of your own using "which" as a defining relative clause.

That

Replaces who, which or when in defining relative clauses only

(a) often used after words like all, none, little, few, anything, nothing

(b) after superlatives (often with the Present Perfect)

ex. It was the most boring book that I've ever read.

Multiple Select

That replaces who, which or when in defining relative clauses only

• often after words like all, none, little, few, anything, nothing

• after superlatives (often with Present Simple)

• after superlatives (often with Present Perfect)

• after superlatives (often with Past simple)

whom

Is used for people (formal English)

(a) As the object (direct or indirect)

ex. These are the children whom she invited on the party. (defining)

(b) after prepositions

ex. Sam, with whom I studied in college, has moved back to town. (non- defining)

Open Ended

Your turn: Use "whom" as a defining and a non defining relative clause

whose

Is used to show possession

ex. I work in an office whose windows have view on the main street. (defining)

Poll

Look this sentence: "Our neighbours, whose children are very noisy, get many complaints." It is an example of defining or non- defining relative clause?

• DEFINING

• NON- DEFINING

where

Is used for places

ex. The village where I used to live is quite a city now. (defining)

Open Ended

Give an example of a non- defining relative clause by using "where"

When

Is used for time

ex. Every night, when it is not hot, we sit in the terrace. (non- defining)

Open Ended

Give an example of your own using "when" as a defining relative clause.