Pedagogic Grammar

RELATIVE CLAUSES

Defining (identifying, restrictive) clauses Describes the preceding noun in such a way as to distinguish if from other nouns of the same class; it is essential to the clear understanding of the noun; No comma is used to separate it;

Non-defining (nonidentfying, non-restrictive) Do not define the noun, only add extra information; Not essential, can be omitted; Separated by commas Pronouns cannot be omitted; More common in written english

Connective (Sentential) relative Refer not only to the noun, but to the whole sentence [HE ate a fungus], which made him ill. form: similar to non-defining clauses

Persons: Subject Usually Who The man who robbed you has been arrested. That after all, nobody, no one, somebody, anybody etc. Whom (most Formal, Written) Who That (most common in speech) Preposition + Whom (formal) The man to whom I spoke Who, That (informal) + Preposition at the end of clause Whose Who !!!(*that)

Object of a verb

Whom (formal) Who (informal)

With a preposition

Preposition + Whom Who (informal) + Preposition at the end of clause

possessive

whose

Defining (identifying, restrictive) clauses Things: Subject

Non-defining (nonidentfying, non-restrictive)

Connective (Sentential) relative

Which (more formal) That Which That, (esp. after all, much, little, everything, none, no, superlatives) Preposition + Which (formal) Which, That, + preposition at the end of the clause Whose + clause (formal) With + phrase

Which !!!(*that) Which !!!(*that)

Object of a verb

Object of a preposition

Preposition + Which (formal) Which + preposition at the end of the clause

possessive

Whose (for animals and things) Of which (very formal)

RELATIVE CLAUSES REPLACED BY A PRESENT PARTICIPLE participles used as adjectives can replace participles: most of the people invited didnt turn up. -> people who were invited word order: participles cannot always be used as adjectives before nouns. When we put a participle before a noun, it usually expresses some more permanent characteristic; it is more like an adjective than a verb. E.g. an interesting book, but *the discussed problems participle clauses can replace relative clauses: e.g. Most of the people invited to the reception were old friends Theres a woman crying her eyes out over there. When the verb in the clause is in the continuous tense People who were waiting for the bus often shelter in my doorway. -> People waiting for the bus often when the verb in the clause expresses habitual or continuous action boys who attend this school have to wear uniform. -> Boys attending this school when a verb in the clause expresses a wish (wish, desire, want, hope) People who wish to go on the tour must book. -> people wishing to go a non-defining clause containing one of the above verbs or verbs of knowing or thinking (know, think, believe, expect) Bill, who wanted to make an impression on Ann, took her to-> Bill, wanting to make an impression on Ann, took her to