Published 29/05/2015 In Blog
Relative clauses are used to give extra information about a subject, object or clause within a sentence. For example:
Gaudi, who was an architect, designed the Sagrada Familia. (more information about the subject)
Gaudi designed the Sagrada Familia, which is in Barcelona. (more information about the object)
Relative pronouns are used to introduce relative clauses:
Who is used as the relative pronoun for people.
Brad Pitt, who is an actor, is very handsome.
Which is used as the relative pronoun for things.
The internet, which was invented by Tim Berners-Lee, is used more and more.
Where is used as the relative pronoun for adverbs of place.
The restaurant, where I met my girlfriend, serves French food.
Lots of people find it difficult to know when to use who or whom. Who is used when it is the subject of the clause and whom is used when it is the object. For example:
John is a doctor. I met John yesterday. (John is the object of the second sentence)
John, whom I met yesterday, is a doctor. (whom is the object here)
John is a doctor. He works in my town. (John is the subject of the second sentence)
John, who works in my town, is a doctor. (who is the subject here)
Hopefully this grammar explanation will have helped to understand how we form relatives clauses in English, but if it isn't so don't hesitate to send me an email with your questions at info@keelyalgarlanguages.com
I will be more than happy answer!
