Pages 245-146, Exercise 14

Using relative pronouns when, that or 0

(0 = no relative pronoun is needed)

Pages 245-146, Exercise 14

In this exercise, you need to think about two different

factors:

When you use when as a relative pronoun, it’s because the embedded

sentence has a preposition.

AND You can leave out the pronoun when

it stands for an object in the embedded sentence.

#1. Six o’clock is the time _________ the auction

stops

Main Sentence:Six o’clock is the time.

Embedded Sentence:The auction stops at the time.

There is a preposition in the embedded sentence, so we use

the relative pronoun when:

1. Six o’clock is the time when the auction stops.

Also, the relative pronoun stands for an object in the embedded

sentence:

Embedded Sentence:The auction stops at the time.

Therefore, you can leave out the relative pronoun if you prefer:

1. Six o’clock is the time when the auction stops.Six o’clock is the time the

auction stops.Both sentences are correct.

2. Do you remember the year _________ Meg Whitman started to work for eBay?

Main Sentence:Do you remember the year?

Embedded Sentence:Meg Whitman started to work for eBay in the year.

There is a preposition in the embedded sentence:

Embedded Sentence:Meg Whitman started to work for eBay in the year.

Therefore, use relative pronoun when:

2. Do you remember the year when Meg Whitman started to work for eBay?

Also, the relative pronoun stands for an object in the embedded

sentence:

Embedded Sentence:Meg Whitman started to work for eBay in the year.

Therefore, you can leave out the relative pronoun if you prefer:

2. Do you remember the year when Meg Whitman started to work for eBay?

Do you remember the year Meg Whitman started to work for eBay?

Both sentences are correct.

3. 2008 was a year _______ had 366 days.

Main Sentence:2008 was a year.

Embedded Sentence:The year had 366 days.

There is no preposition in the embedded sentence, so we use

the relative pronoun that or which:

3. 2008 was a year that had 366 days.

Also, the relative pronoun stands for the subject in the embedded

sentence:

Embedded Sentence:The year had 266 days.

Therefore, it is not possible to omit the relative pronoun.

You can use either that or which, but the relative pronoun is

required.

4. New Year’s Eve is a time ___________ I love.

Main Sentence:New Year’s Eve is a time.

Embedded Sentence:I love the time.

There is no preposition in the embedded sentence, so we use

the relative pronoun that or which:

4. New Year’s Eve is a time which I love

However, in this case the relative clause stands for an object in the

embedded sentence:

Embedded Sentence:I love the time.

Therefore, you can omit the relative pronoun. There are three

ways to say this sentence that are all equally correct:

New Year’s Eve is a time that I love.New Year’s Eve is a time which I love.New Year’s Eve is a time I love.

Now you try it:

5. February is the only month __________ has

fewer than 30days.

Main Sentence:February is the only month.

Embedded Sentence:February has fewer than 30 days.

Ask yourself:• Does the embedded

sentence have a preposition?

• Does the relative pronoun stand for the subject or the object?

Now you try it:

6. My birthday is a day ________ I think about my past.

Main Sentence:My birthday is a day.

Embedded Sentence:I think about my past on that day.

Ask yourself:• Does the embedded

sentence have a preposition?

• Does the relative pronoun stand for the subject or the object?

Now you’re on your own!