RELATIVE CLAUSESRELATIVE CLAUSES

The essential we must remember…..

Types of Relative Clauses

DefiningNon-defining

THE “LINKERS”

Basic: THAT WHO WHICH (OMISSION)

ADVERBIALS: WHERE WHY WHEN WHOSE

● DEFINING

● NON-DEFINING

Defining or Non-defining? When the relative clause is

necessary to understand the sentence completely

When the relative clause adds some extra information but it is not essential to understandNON-DEFINING

Defining Clauses

When the relative refers to a personperson:“The man who lives next door has a dog”“The man that lives next door has a dog”

When the relative refers to a thing or animalthing or animal::“My mother bought the cottage which has three tall palms” “My mother bought the cottage that has three tall palms”

Relative OmissionRelative Omission

We can omit it We can omit it if and if and only if:only if:

the relative clause is Defining.

the relative is not adverbial

the relative is not subject of the clause

there is no preposition before the relative.

I saw the car you told me about on tv

yes

NO

I saw the car that/which you told me about on tv.

I saw the car about which you told me on tv.

Non-Defining

It is always a clause referred to a person, thing or animal totally identified. Mr. Smith, who lives in Norwich, was

once my professor The White House, where the president

of the USA lives, is in Washington Mickey Mouse, which is a very famous

character, has been on TV for many years.

remember: always between commas

Averbial Relatives

TIME “when” I remember the

times when we danced together at the disco

PLACE “where” The city where I

study is not my hometown

● REASON “why”– We will never know

the reason why she didn't come to the party

● POSSESION “whose”– The woman whose

parents you talked to was my work college.