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Grammar Unit 4 - Relative Clauses

This document discusses relative clauses and relative pronouns. It defines relative clauses as clauses that give information about something or someone in the main clause and are usually introduced by a relative pronoun. It distinguishes between defining relative clauses, which contain essential information, and non-defining relative clauses, which contain extra information. It provides examples and describes the features of each type of relative clause. It also discusses reduced relative clauses, which shorten the clause when the relative pronoun is the subject.

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63 views14 pages

Grammar Unit 4 - Relative Clauses

This document discusses relative clauses and relative pronouns. It defines relative clauses as clauses that give information about something or someone in the main clause and are usually introduced by a relative pronoun. It distinguishes between defining relative clauses, which contain essential information, and non-defining relative clauses, which contain extra information. It provides examples and describes the features of each type of relative clause. It also discusses reduced relative clauses, which shorten the clause when the relative pronoun is the subject.

Uploaded by

claudia martin martinez
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RELATIVE CLAUSES

Unit 4 - Grammar
My friend is Natalia.
Natalia is studying Psychology. We
met in Rubí. We both live in Rubí.
Natalia, who is studying
Psychology, is my friend. We met in
Rubí, where we both live.
RELATIVE PRONOUNS

WHEN WHO
WHERE TIME PEOPLE
PLACE

WHICH WHOSE THAT


= WHO / WHICH
THINGS POSSESSION (only defining!)
RELATIVE CLAUSES
● Give information about
something or someone in
tha main clause.

● Are usually introduced by


a relative pronoun (who,
which, when, etc.).

● Can be defining or
non-defining.
DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
Contain essential information to understand the sentence.

The girl who won the competition lives next door to me.

The shop where I bought this laptop is closing.

The bag which I left on the bus was never found.

The man who normally comes to clean our windows is on


holiday this month.
DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
Features of defining relative clauses:

● That can be used instead of who and which.

The girl that won the competition lives next door to me.

The bag that I left on the bus was never found.

● Can omit the relative pronoun in certain cases.


DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
Omission of the pronoun (only in defining relative clauses!)

● Leave out the relative pronoun when it is the object of the verb
in the relative clause.

I’m enjoying the book which you lent me.

= I’m enjoying the book you lent me.


NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
Contain extra information which is not essential to understand the sentence.

Kelsey liked the new chair, which is very comfortable.

In the summer I’m going to Italy, where my brother lives.

My bicycle, which I haven’t had very long, is too small for me.

Their new house, which has five bedrooms and a games room, is
much larger than their previous one.
NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
Features of non-defining relative clauses:

● Commas are required.


● That cannot be used in place of who and which.
● Relative pronouns cannot be omitted.
RELATIVE CLAUSES
DEFINING NON-DEFINING

Essential information Extra information


No commas Commas required
That = who & which
That cannot be used
Omission pronoun (object!)
No omissions
REDUCED RELATIVE CLAUSES
We can shorten the relative clause when the relative
pronoun is the subject in the relative clause.

We can do this when the verb is followed by certain


words or phrases.
REDUCED RELATIVE CLAUSES
VERB + ADJECTIVE
We met the man who was responsible for choosing the best candidates.
= We met the man [...] responsible for choosing the best candidates.

VERB + PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE


The football boots that were in the box came from Thailand.
= The football boots [...] came from Thailand.
REDUCED RELATIVE CLAUSES
VERB + PAST PARTICIPLE (in passive sentences!)
The players who were chosen for the team were really hard-working.
= The players [...] chosen for the team were really hard-working.

VERB + PRESENT PARTICIPLE (used with present or past continuous)


The girl who was playing with me was very friendly.
= The girl [...] playing with me was very friendly.

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