Relative Clauses
There are two types of relative clause: defining and non-defining.
Defining Relative Clauses
These clauses are an essential part of the meaning of a sentence, so the clause
cannot be left out. In defining relative clauses there is no comma before the
relative pronoun, which may change depending on whether the clause refers to
the subject or object of the sentence.
Here are the relative pronouns used in defining relative clauses. If the pronoun
is in brackets it means that it is possible but not as common.
Defines: People Things
The subject of the who (that) that (which)
sentence
The object of the XXX XXX (that)
sentence (that)
When the clause defines the subject of a sentence the relative pronoun can't be
missed out:
The man who helped me was Mr. Jones.
The thing that helped me most was revising my phrasal verbs.
When defining the object of a sentence the relative pronoun (that) is not usually
used:
The man I found most helpful was Mr. Jones.
The thing I found most useful was a thesaurus.
'That' is usually used after superlatives, compounds of some & any and with
only & all:
I wrote some of the best compositions that I've ever written.
Don't do anything that's likely to distract you.
The only thing that matters is that you do your best.
All that you need to do is relax.
When a dependent preposition is used, it usually comes in final position and the
relative pronoun is dropped:
This is the book I was talking about.
The people I work with are very professional.
The hotel we stayed at was a bit disappointing.
If you use two relative clauses separated by 'and' or 'but' in the same sentence,
'who' or 'which' is used instead of 'that'.
Someone that I greatly admire, but who I've never met, is Dr. Smith.
Non-defining relative clauses
These clauses add additional information of secondary importance and therefore
the sentence is still grammatically correct if the clause is missed out. Non-
defining clauses are more common in written English and sound rather formal
in spoken English. The relative pronoun must come after a comma and you
should pause when saying them.
Here are the relative pronouns in non-defining relative clauses:
Defines: People Things
The subject of the ,who ,which
sentence
The object of the ,who ,which
sentence
'That' can't be used in non-defining clauses, and the relative pronoun cannot be
left out when defining either the subject or object of the sentence.
Mr Smith, who has written several books, spoke at the meeting
My favourite book is 'Lord of the rings', which I've read at least three times.
Mr Smith, who we have invited to the meeting, is a famous author.
I gave him the report, which he read carefully.
Prepositions come at the end of the clause in less formal English and before the
relative pronoun in very formal structures:
Dr Jones spoke for two hours on the theory of relativity, which none of us
knew anything about.
Agricultural reform, to which this government is committed, is not universally
popular.
Which' can be used to refer to the whole of the preceding clause:
She passed the exam with grade A, which surprised everyone.
Special cases
Whom
'Who' is not used after a preposition. 'Whom' is used in both defining and non-
defining clauses, but this structure is only used in very formal written English:
To whom it may concern, (starting a letter of reference).
The plaintiff, about whom nothing untoward has been revealed, is required to
be present in court.
Whose
This can be used in both types of relative clause to show possession.
There's the man whose daughter won the lottery.
ABC airways, whose fares were the cheapest, has recently gone bankrupt.
What
'What' can be used as a relative pronoun meaning 'the thing that'.
Has she told you what's worrying her?
I have to do what I believe is right.
When
In defining relative clauses 'when' can be left out.
Can you tell me the exact time (when) you hope to arrive?
In non-defining clauses it can't be omitted.
The meeting will start at 5pm, when everyone has arrived.
Where
'Where' can only be missed out in defining relative clauses if there is a
preposition added.
;That's the place where we're staying.
That's the place we're staying at.
In non-defining clauses 'where' can't be missed out.
She goes to university in the city centre, where her sister lives.
Why
'Why' can be used in defining relative clauses. When it follows 'the reason' it
can be left out.
Do you remember why we are arguing?
Do you remember the reason (why) we are arguing.
Participle clauses
The present participle (doing) and the past participle (done) can replace relative
clauses.
I met a woman who was riding a donkey.
I met a woman riding a donkey.
The money that was stolen from the bank robbery was never recovered.
The money stolen from the bank robbery was never recovered.
Participle clauses are often used to describe two actions that happen:
at the same time: She sat by the fire reading a book. / He went to the party
dressed as a nun.
one after the other: Opening his suitcase, he took out a pen.
(if one action must finish first, the perfect participle is used - Having finished
lunch, we set off)
one because of another: Not knowing what to do, I waited. / Weakened by bad
health, He died.
Participles can be used as adjectives. Present participles describe an action still
happening.
He dived into the sea to save the drowning child.
She poured boiling water into the dish.
They watched the burning forest helplessly.
Past participles describe the result of an action that has happened.
She looked at the broken chair, wondering if it could be mended.
The completed statue looked very lifelike.
After the storm the tent was ruined.
