Unit 3: Relative Clauses

Types of Relative Clauses

Relative clauses give information about
someone or something referred to in the
main clause.
a) Defining relative clauses: specify
essential information about the noun
they refer to.

b) Non-defining relative clauses: add extra

information about a noun. A comma is
used before and after the relative
clause.
 Relative Pronouns
 Defining relative clause (subject pronoun):
There were many people who/that visited London last
summer.

 Defining relative clause (object pronoun):

Toni Morrison is an American author (who/that) I
studied at university.
 Non-defining relative clause (subject pronoun):
The story of radio began with Mr Hetz, who was the
first one to use it.
 Non- defining relative clause (object pronoun):
Dr. Smith, who Peter respected greatly, guided his
research.
WHOM: only in formal and written style.

- He was a person whom everyone regarded as

trustworthy.
- To whom it may concern.

NON-PERSONAL PRONOUNS:

 The invention that/which made this possible was the

vacuum. (DSP)
 I’ve eaten the cake (which/that) I made yesterday.
(DOP)
 His first novel, which was published last year, became
an overnight success. (NDSP)
 His factory, which he set up in Seville, employed 50
people. (NDOP)
Other introductory elements in
relative clauses
-The first bookshop was opened in 1950, when he got
married.
- I’ll never forget the day (when) she graduated.
- The reason (why) he left is unclear.
-It was a period during which they studied hard every
day.
-He devised an experiment in which a parrot sings jazz.
-That’s the shop where I bought my new wallet.
- For most people, it is Shakespeare whose name is
linked to British culture.
-This is a computer whose purpose is to check weather
conditions.
 Prepositions in relative clauses

- Formal styles > Prepositions come before

the relative pronoun.
Dr. Andrews, with whom Luke studied, was
a psychologist.

- Less formal styles > They come later in

the sentence.
Dr. Andrews, who Luke studied with, was a
psychologist.
 Participle clauses
We can often reduce a defining relative
clause so that it begins with a present
participle (-ing), past participle (-ed), or
to-Infinitive. (Less formal register)

- The editor who is working…

- The editor working …

- …the heat that is produced…

- …the heat produced by …
 To-Infinitive clauses
We use it instead of a relative clause, after:

a) a superlative + noun:
She was the youngest person to receive such an
important award.

b) the first/the second + noun (phrase):

He was the first person to encourage me to come.

c) the only/the next/ the last/ another/one +noun

(phrase):
The only thing to do in that case is to leave.
 Adjective and Prepositional
Phrases

It was easy to find a photographer willing

to take an assistant (a photographer who
was willing to take…).

We use any other material available

(which is available).

The vegetables around that dish could be

raw (the vegetables which are around).