UNIT 08: RELATIVE CLAUSE

RELATIVE CLAUSES

UNIT 08: RELATIVE CLAUSES

Relative Pronouns

A. Who, Which, That

Who is used when the antecedent is a person, while which is used when the antecedent is not a person. However, that as a relative pronoun can replace either who or which, and it is preferred especially after all, everything, nothing, the only..., and superlatives.

The woman is a singer. + She lives next door

= The woman who/that lives next door is a singer.

B. Notiece that which can refer to the entire preceding clause.

John didn't pass the test, which (NOT that or what) disappointed his father.

C. Possessive of the relative pronouns

Possession can be expressed by whose, whether or not the antecedent is a person. When the antecdent is not a person, of which...may also be used.

The man is my uncle. + His car broke down

= The man whose car broke down is my uncle.

D. What (=the thing which)

The relative pronoun what is different from the other relative pronouns in that it is not preceded by a noun.

He believes what he hears. (= He believes the thing that/ which he hears)

Relative Adverbs 

When, Where, How, Why

the day/ month/ year/ time etc. + when

I remember the day ( when) we met

the hotel/ park/ place etc. + in which OR where:

Is this the park in which you two met ?

Is this the park where you two met ?

the way + how:

This is the way he did it 

This is how he did it.

Note: The way and how cannot be used together.

The reason + why

This is the reason (why) he got upset.