UNIT 13
Relative clauses
Relative pronouns connect a relative clause to a main clause. They are who,
whom, which, that, whose, where, why, when and what.
Who/whom refer to people. Which/that refer to animals or things, although
people who love animals often use who when speaking of them. Whom is very
unusual, especially in informal English, and is generally omitted or replaced with
who:
• We'll take Timmy to the specialist (who) we've heard so much about.
Whose is possessive, for people or things:
• She works for a company whose chief executive has been arrested for fraud.
Where is used after nouns referring to place, when after nouns referring to time,
and why after the word reason. Where/when can often replace in/on/at which:
• I think that's the church where/in which my grandparents were married.
It was a day when everything seemed to go wrong.
• Is there any reason why he can't come?
What means 'the thing that':
•I'll explain what he said.
• What I like for breakfast is hot buttered toast.
• She'll give you just what you want.
A Correct the sentences if
necessary. Tick any which
are already correct.
1 There's the woman who she sold me the
oranges.
2 This is my brother, who's wife's French.
3 Did you ever meet the model who's married Jeff's cousin?
4 I don't like people which talk too loudly.
5 That's the car whose brakes are being repaired.
6 I know a little taverna at where you can get a wonderful meal.
7 Do you understand what he said?
8 I suppose that's the house where we'll have to stay in.
9 Could we arrange a time when we'll both be free?
10 I'm afraid I haven't sent exactly what he asked for.
11 That I can't stand is queuing in the rain.
12 Have you any idea to whom I'll be speaking to?
13 Is that the school which you studied?
14 Deirdre will show the new students which to do.
15 You'd better tell me the reason for he didn't turn up.
16 That's the old chap whom you met at the bus stop last week, isn't it?
17 That was the day when I mislaid my passport.
18 What he told you is hopelessly inaccurate,
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