Relative Clauses
Two kinds of relative can be distinguished: defining relative clauses and non-defining relative clauses. The relative pronouns used are : “ who –which –whom – that –whose”
- Defining relative clauses qualify a noun and tell us exactly which person or thing is being referred to. They are more common in the spoken language .When we speak, there is no pause before or after a defining relative clauses and no commas (,) are used when write.
e.g. People who are selfish are unbearable. (who are selfish tells us exactly which people unbearable)
I saw the woman whose son had been killed in the aircraft crash
- The relative pronoun can be left out if it is the object of the relative clause
e.g. Did you like the present ( which) I sent you ? (Which can be left out here)?
- If the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause, we can not leave it.
e.g. I met a woman who works for the UN.(who here can not be left out).
- Non-defining relative clauses add extra information to a sentence. We use pauses before and after the relative clauses when we speak and commas when we write . Non-defining relative clauses are more common in writing.
e.g. My grandfather , who is 75 years old , still goes jogging twice a week
My car , which is 25 years old ,often lets me down
- Relative pronouns can not be left out of non-defining relative clauses.
- Infinitive clauses are used after question words such as “where , when, how , how long ..etc” . Infinitive clauses express ideas such as obligation , possibility , etc.
e.g. I’m sorry I can’t tell you how to get to the railway station.
Have you made up your mind where to spend your summer holiday?
I don’t know what to say in this situation. |
