D.O.

We are waiting for Apu.

Same thing in different sentences.

Apu is from India.

Subj
.

We are waiting for Apu, who is from India.

Apu is from India.

Subj

The two sentences can be linked into one. We use a relative pronoun to substitute the common item and join the two sentences in one.
We are waiting for Apu , who is from India.
This is the main clause. This is the subordinate clause.

We are waiting for Apu, who is from India.

Main /independent clause
If we remove the subordinate clause from the sentence, its meaning is still complete. Subordinate/Depen dent clause Its meaning is incomplete if we remove the main clause.

LINKING WORDS
RELATIVE PRONOUNS

WHO / THAT

WHICH / THAT

WHOSE

PREPOSITION + WHOM or +WHICH (Formal)

LINKING WORDS
RELATIVE ADVERBS

WHEN / THAT

WHERE

WHY / THAT

Two types of relative clauses:

Non-Defining Extra information about a noun in a sentence The new Woody Allen film, which I saw last week, is very good. Use commas Always use a relative pronoun: who/whom ,which whose, where, when Defining Essential information about a noun in a sentence Youre the man (that) I saw last week. No commas Can omit pronoun if it is not the SUBJECT of the relative clause That (informal) can replace which / who/ when / why but not where, whose or whom

Defining relative clauses = No commas

A defining relative clause identifies which person or thing we mean exactly. It cannot be left out of the sentence or the meaning of the sentence is incomplete:

Its the book that I read yesterday. * Its the book. (this sentence is incomplete)

Defining relative clauses = No commas

You can omit the pronoun if it is the OBJECT of the relative clause (if there is a SUBJECT and a VERB after the relative pronoun )
Its the book that I read yesterday (omit) Its the book I read yesterday. The girl who lives next door is French. We can never omit WHOSE and WHERE

Non-defining relative clauses = with commas

This kind of clause gives additional information about a person or thing. The sentence still makes sense without the non-defining relative clause:

My neighbour, who studies engineering, is very noisy. My neighbour is very noisy.

Non-Defining relative clauses (with commas) are more common in written English because they are quite formal. In spoken English we would probably use two sentences. Compare:
Elvis Presley, who has sold over one billion albums, died of prescription drug abuse. [written]

Formal / Informal

with
Elvis has sold over a billion albums. He died of an overdose. [spoken]

Verb + preposition
When the verb is followed by a preposition in the relative clause we can use two structures: The woman is a lawyer. I spoke to a woman
Formal: Preposition + rel.pronoun The woman to whom* I spoke is a lawyer.
(*We cant omit the relative pronoun after a preposition)

Or
Informal: Preposition after the verb The woman (who) I spoke to is a lawyer.

Relative Adverbs Time: when or

in/on/at + which or that

That was the year when/that/in which I got my degree. 11 September 2001 was the day when/that/on which peoples attitude towards terrorism changed. The adverb (when) can be omitted. 11 September 2001 was the day peoples attitude towards terrorism changed.

Relative Adverbs Place: where or

in/on/at + which or that
Thats the factory where/in which they make chemicals. Thats the spot where/on which the battle took place.

The adverb (where) cannot generally be omitted.

Relative Adverbs: Reason: why (for which)

I will explain the reasons why /for which the accident occurred The adverb (why) can be omitted. I will explain the reasons the accident occurred

Relative pronouns Possessive: whose

It takes the place of his, her, their or a noun in possessive case s.
Andy Warhol was a pop artist whose paintings are famous worldwide.(His paintings are famous)

Charlie, whose sister lives in London, is travelling to England this summer. (Charlies sister lives in London).