English Grammar: Relatives

In English grammar, relatives, also known as relative pronouns and relative clauses, play a crucial role in connecting different parts of a sentence. They help provide additional information about a noun (antecedent) and give context to the main clause. In this chapter, we will explore the various types of relative pronouns, how to use them, and how to construct relative clauses.

Section 1: Introduction to Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses. They connect these clauses to the main sentence and act as substitutes for specific nouns in the main clause, which are known as antecedents.

The most common relative pronouns are:

Who: Refers to people (subject).
Whom: Refers to people (object). It is less commonly used in modern English and is often replaced by "who."
Which: Refers to things (subject or object).
That: Refers to people or things (subject or object). It is often used as a more general relative pronoun and can replace "who" and "which" in some cases.
Whose: Indicates possession and is used for both people and things.

Section 2: Using Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are used to create relative clauses, which provide more information about the antecedent. These clauses can function as adjective clauses, adverb clauses, or noun clauses.

Adjective Clauses: An adjective clause describes or identifies the antecedent noun. It usually follows the antecedent and provides essential information about it.

Example:

The girl who won the competition is my sister.

Adverb Clauses: An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb in the main clause and provides additional information.

Example:

He drives carefully, which is important.

Noun Clauses: A noun clause acts as a noun in the main clause and can function as the subject, object, or complement of the sentence.

Example:

I don't know what she wants.

Exercise for: Relative Pronouns

In each of the following sentences, identify the relative pronoun and its antecedent. Write the correct relative pronoun in the blank provided.

The girl ______ won the competition is my sister.
He drives carefully, ______ is important.
I don't know ______ she wants.
The book ______ I borrowed from the library was very informative.
My dog, ______ loves to play fetch, is a Labrador.
The man ______ I met yesterday was very friendly.
The car ______ she drives is brand new.
This is the hotel ______ we stayed during our vacation.
I remember the day ______ we first met.
The reason ______ he left remains a mystery.

Answer Key:

The girl who won the competition is my sister.
He drives carefully, which is important.
I don't know what she wants.
The book that I borrowed from the library was very informative.
My dog, which loves to play fetch, is a Labrador.
The man whom I met yesterday was very friendly.
The car that she drives is brand new.
This is the hotel where we stayed during our vacation.
I remember the day when we first met.
The reason why he left remains a mystery.

This exercise helps reinforce the understanding of relative pronouns and their usage in forming relative clauses. It is essential to identify the correct relative pronoun to establish clear connections between the antecedent and the information provided in the clause.

Section 3: Punctuation in Relative Clauses

The punctuation used in relative clauses depends on whether the information provided is essential or non-essential to the sentence.

Essential (Defining) Relative Clauses: Essential relative clauses provide crucial information that is necessary to identify the antecedent. They are not set off by commas.

Example:

The book that I borrowed from the library was very informative.

Non-essential (Non-defining) Relative Clauses: Non-essential relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the antecedent. They are set off by commas.

Example:

My dog, which is a Labrador, loves to play fetch.

Exercise for Section 3: Punctuation in Relative Clauses

Determine whether the relative clause in each sentence is essential (defining) or non-essential (non-defining). Put a comma where necessary for non-essential relative clauses.

The girl who won the competition is my sister.
My favorite movie, which was released last year, won several awards.
The book that I borrowed from the library was very informative.
The concert tickets, which were sold out, were in high demand.
Mr. Smith, who is our neighbor, is a talented musician.
The car that she drives is brand new.
The team captain, who scored the winning goal, was praised by the fans.
The house where they used to live has been renovated.
My best friend, whose birthday is tomorrow, loves chocolate cake.
The reason why he left remains a mystery.

Answer Key:

The girl who won the competition is my sister. (Essential)
My favorite movie, which was released last year, won several awards. (Non-essential)
The book that I borrowed from the library was very informative. (Essential)
The concert tickets, which were sold out, were in high demand. (Non-essential)
Mr. Smith, who is our neighbor, is a talented musician. (Non-essential)
The car that she drives is brand new. (Essential)
The team captain, who scored the winning goal, was praised by the fans. (Non-essential)
The house where they used to live has been renovated. (Non-essential)
My best friend, whose birthday is tomorrow, loves chocolate cake. (Non-essential)
The reason why he left remains a mystery. (Essential)

NOTE: This exercise tests your understanding of essential and non-essential relative clauses and their punctuation. Remember that essential relative clauses are not set off by commas, while non-essential relative clauses require commas for separation.

Section 4: Omission of Relative Pronouns

In some cases, the relative pronoun can be omitted from the relative clause when it is not the subject of the clause.

Example:

The man (who/whom/that) I met yesterday was very friendly.
The car (that) she drives is brand new.

Exercise for Section 4: Omission of Relative Pronouns

In each of the following sentences, decide whether the relative pronoun is necessary or can be omitted. Rewrite the sentence accordingly.

The man who/that I met yesterday was very friendly.
The dress that/which she bought yesterday looks beautiful.
The team which/that won the championship celebrated their victory.
The restaurant where/in which we had dinner was excellent.
The car which/that he drives is expensive.
The book that/which I was reading was thrilling.
The girl who/whom he loves is his classmate.
The house that/where I grew up has been sold.
The computer which/that I bought last week is already outdated.
The doctor who/whom I consulted was very knowledgeable.

Answer Key:

The man that I met yesterday was very friendly.
The dress that she bought yesterday looks beautiful.
The team that won the championship celebrated their victory.
The restaurant where we had dinner was excellent.
The car that he drives is expensive.
The book that I was reading was thrilling.
The girl whom he loves is his classmate.
The house where I grew up has been sold.
The computer that I bought last week is already outdated.
The doctor whom I consulted was very knowledgeable.

NOTE: In this exercise, you practiced identifying cases where the relative pronoun can be omitted. When the relative pronoun is not the subject of the relative clause, it can often be left out, especially in informal writing. However, remember to include the relative pronoun when it is the subject of the clause or when it is essential for the sentence's clarity and meaning.

Section 5: Relative Pronouns with Prepositions

When a preposition is used in a relative clause, it usually comes before the relative pronoun.

Example:

The house in which he lives is beautiful.

Section 6: Relative Adverbs

In addition to relative pronouns, there are relative adverbs that introduce relative clauses and provide information about time, place, or reason.

When: Refers to a specific time.
Where: Refers to a specific place.
Why: Refers to a reason.

Example:

I remember the day when we first met.
This is the hotel where we stayed during our vacation.
The reason why he left remains a mystery.

Exercise for Section 5: MCQ Type

Choose the correct relative adverb to complete each sentence.

I remember the day _____ we first met.

A) why B) when C) where
This is the hotel _____ we stayed during our vacation.

A) why B) when C) where
Tell me the reason _____ he left.

A) why B) when C) where
Do you know the place _____ the event will take place?

A) why B) when C) where
The time _____ we spent together was unforgettable.

A) why B) when C) where
The classroom _____ we study is well-equipped.

A) why B) when C) where
I can't forget the moment _____ we won the championship.

A) why B) when C) where
The reason _____ he is upset remains unknown.

A) why B) when C) where
This is the spot _____ we had our first picnic.

A) why B) when C) where
Can you tell me the circumstances _____ they met?

A) why B) when C) where

Answer Key:

B) when
C) where
A) why
C) where
B) when
C) where
B) when
A) why
C) where
C) where

NOTE: In this exercise, you practiced using relative adverbs (when, where, why) to complete sentences. Relative adverbs provide additional information about time, place, or reason and help create meaningful relative clauses. Keep in mind that choosing the correct relative adverb is essential for constructing grammatically accurate and contextually appropriate sentences.

Conclusion

Understanding relatives and their usage is essential for constructing coherent and informative sentences. Relative pronouns help us provide additional details about nouns and create meaningful connections within a sentence. By practicing the various types of relative clauses and their punctuation, you can enhance your writing and communication skills, making your expressions more precise and engaging.

Saturday, July 29, 2023