Download UNIT 10: ADJECTIVE (RELATIVE) CLAUSES to MODIFY PEOPLE

*** UNIT 10: ADJECTIVE (RELATIVE) CLAUSES to MODIFY PEOPLE/THINGS ***
*** Defining (Identifying or Essential) Relative Clauses:
This kind of clauses is necessary to distinguish the modified person or thing from
any other one. Without that information, it would be difficult to know who or what is
meant. A point to remember is that we never use defining clauses between commas.
Ex:
Hawaii has lots of hotels. The one that/which/ø we stayed in wasn't bad. ("that we
stayed in" tells the listener which hotel we are talking about; it defines the hotel and
makes it a specific one. IF YOU TAKE THAT PART OUT, THE MEANING WILL BE
UNCLEAR!)
Among the doctors at the hospital, the one whom/who/that/ø I was hoping to see
wasn't on duty. (“whom/who/that/ø I was hoping to see” distinguishes the doctor from
other doctors. IF YOU TAKE IT OUT, THE MEANING WILL BE UNCLEAR!!)
*** Non-defining (Non-identifying or non-essential) Relative Clauses:
This kind of clauses simply gives extra information. Even when we don’t have a
non-defining clause in a sentence, we still can understand who or what is talked about
and/or get sufficient information. We always use non-defining clauses with commas.
Examples:
Elephants, which are large and grey, can sometimes be found in zoos. (The
relative clause gives us some extra information about elephants. EVEN IF YOU TAKE
IT OUT, THE MEANING LEFT WILL STILL TELL YOU SOMETHING!)
John's mother, who lives in Scotland, has 6 grandchildren. (We think John would
normally have one mother, and her living in Scotland is just additional information.
Using the clause without commas as a defining one would be necessary only if John
had one biological and one step-mother).
* To see the problems that can be caused by using defining/non-defining relative
clauses incorrectly, see the comics below. There, our hero broke his girlfriend’s heart
and he is now trying to repair it with a message put on social media. He thinks he’s
done just the right thing, but there is a problem . . .
to be through (with somebody): to no longer be having a relationship with someone!
*** If the relative pronouns “who, whom, that and which” have the function of
an object in a defining relative clause, you can omit them. However, it is not
possible if the relative pronoun works as the subject of that clause!
Ex:
The company that/which she works for is in London." ("that/which" functions as the
object in the relative clause as “she” is the subject of the verb “work”. So,
“that/which” can be omitted)
= "The company she works for is in London."
But:
"The company that/which employs her is in London." ("that/which" refers to the
COMPANY and functions as the subject of the verb “employ” in the relative clause.
So, “that/which” cannot be omitted)
- We use the relative pronouns “who/whom” to refer to people only.
** If the relative pronoun has “the subject role” in the relative clause, prefer “who”
Ex: I know the man who did this. TRUE / I know the man whom did this. FALSE
** We prefer “whom” after prepositions (to whom, for whom, with whom ………) and
quantifiers (all of whom, both of whom, some of whom ………). See the example:
“which” for things and animals only
“that” can be used for both people and things in more informal situations. However, it
cannot be used in non-defining clauses after a comma and it cannot be used after
prepositions.
“when” for describing a time
“where” for describing a place
*** When a possessive meaning is needed in a relative clause, “whose” is used. In a relative
clause, there must always be a noun after “whose”. Analyze the examples below:
Ex:
I know someone. His sister is a nurse. = I know someone whose sister is a nurse.
The man is very rich. I borrowed his car. = The man whose car I borrowed is very rich.
*** If the possessive meaning is about an object or animal, instead of “whose”,
you can also use “of which” with a noun before it! We mostly do it in nondefining relative clauses:
Every member has to follow the program. Its details are given in the brochure.
Every member has to follow the program, whose details are given in the brochure.
OR
Every member has to follow the program, the details of which are given in the brochure.
noun
of which
* The Japanese and Turks are culturally very similar, an example of which is not
wearing shoes inside.
* I read a book on strategy, some chapters of which were extremely boring.
* The history of the town goes back to prehistoric times, evidence of which is all
around the area in the form of remains.
*** When the relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that) is the object in the relative
clause and when a verb with a preposition is used in the clause,
-
you can omit the relative pronoun and put the preposition at the
end of the clause OR,
you can use the relative pronoun and still put the preposition at
the end of the clause OR,
you can use the relative pronoun and put the preposition before
the relative pronoun. (but “to + that” is always wrong, prefer
“to + which” if you are modifying an object or animal)
Ex:
-
Do you know the girl John is talking to?
Do you know the girl who/whom/that John is talking to?
Do you know the girl to whom John is talking?
*** When a relative clause modifies not just a noun but the whole preceding
sentence, “which” is used with a COMMA before it.
Ex:
He drank too much, which was the reason for all his health problems.
It was raining yesterday, which prevented us from having a picnic.
EXERCISES: Combine the two sentences using the second sentence as a relative clause.
1. I want to see the person. He deals with customer complaints.
2. I can't think of a remedy. It will soothe your nerves.
3. The reporter was reluctant to go. He had been given an assignment in a trouble spot in
Africa.
4. She couldn't pick the apples. They were beyond reach.
5. The church is visible from miles around. It stands on top of the hill.
6. I'm sure I've met the lady somewhere before. She is getting out of that car over there.
7. I dislike people. They undermine the work of others.
8. Why did you buy that car? It is older than your previous one.
EXERCISE: Combine the two sentences, using the second sentence as a relative clause
and giving all the possible patterns.
1. This is the hall. The conference will be held in this hall.
2. Is that a photograph of the church? You got married there.
3. I can't remember the name of it, but we went to that area. The early Christians dug
underground cities there.
4. This is the very spot. A big explosion occurred on this spot yesterday.
5. I know a small restaurant. You can have a nice dinner there enjoying the magnificent
Bosporus view.
6. Istanbul is a city. You can meet people from all over Turkey in Istanbul.
EXERCISE: Combine the two sentences by giving all the possible patterns.
1. 1980 is the year. The last military coup in Turkey took place then.
2. They haven't yet fixed the date. They'll get married then.
3. I forgot the time. Her plane would land then.
4. 6th August 1945 is the date. An atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima then.
5. Half past four is the hour. The caretaker always collects the rubbish then.
6. 11th September 2001 is the date. Terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center.
The sentences below are related to each other and they make a story together. In the
story, we have a speaker working for a big 15-year computer company, which has lots of
buildings and hundreds of offices. The speaker likes everyone she works with there.
EXERCISE: Combine the two sentences using the second sentence as a relative clause.
1. I wonder what happened to the child. A cyclist ran over him in the park this morning.
2. Some of the guests didn't turn up. We'd invited them to the party.
3. The epidemic has spread all over the area. They have been trying to bring it under control
for months.
4. I wrote to the French couple. I met them on holiday.
5. The house is no longer for sale. We were hoping to buy it.
6. The film wasn't suitable for children. I didn't let my son watch it.
7. Have you met the person? They appointed him to head of the department.
8. I don't like the music. Our neighbors play it very loudly all day long.
EXERCISE: Combine the two sentences using the second sentence as a relative clause. Give all
the possible patterns.
1. The picture had already been sold. Sally was very interested in it.
2. I want to introduce you to the woman. I'm thinking of doing business with her.
3. The candidate was elected. I voted for her.
4. The theory didn't seem very sound. He based his argument on it.
5. The woman was extremely wealthy. This dress was designed for her.
6. The waitress is always getting in trouble. The manager shouted at her.
7. The illness seems to be very serious. Our boss is suffering from it.
EXERCISE: Combine the sentences using "whose".
1. This is the man. I took you to the hospital in his car.
2. You should have apologized to the woman. You stepped on her foot while dancing.
3. A company is likely to suffer in the current economic climate. Its financial backing isn't secure.
4. He is the author. I most admire his work.
5. These are the birds. Their habitat is threatened by the development of the new shopping centre.
6. Do you know if this is the hotel? Its swimming pool is open to non-guests.
7. What's the name of the mythological figure? His touch turned things to gold.
8. The candidate won by a small margin. I am strongly opposed to his ideas.
EXERCISE: Combine the sentences using "of which”.
1. I have repaired that chair. Its legs were broken this morning.
2. That book on genetics was my friend's. I accidentally tore its cover.
3. This machine is the solution to your problems. I will describe its properties to you.
4. I bought the only checkered skirt in the store. Its price had been reduced.
5. The mountain is a part of the Bozdağ mountain range. You can see snow on its top now.
EXERCISE: Combine the two sentences.
1. My manager is rather bad-tempered. This makes him a difficult person to work with.
2. Erwin broke two glasses while he was washing up. That was very careless of him.
3. I'm having a few days off next week. I'm really looking forward to that.
4. My son hasn't been eating much lately. I am really concerned about that.
5. Charlie didn't offer to help his parents. That was really selfish of him.
6. Stacey handed in her resignation after her quarrel with the manager. That didn't surprise
me at all.