Grammar
In relative clauses, what relative pronouns are used for people, things, places and time?
Who and that > People
Which and that > things
Where > Place
When > Time
The keys went missing. They had been left on the hall table.
The keys that had been left on the hall table went missing.
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It was completed in 1889.
The Eiffel Tower, which was completed in 1889, is one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
She opened the window and breathed in the fresh air.
Opening the window, she breathed in the fresh air.
The book was written by a famous author. It became an instant bestseller.
Written by a famous author, the book became an instant bestseller.
In relative clauses, what relative pronouns are used for people when they are the object of the sentence?
Whom
Our neighbor, a renowned cardiologist, has lived next door for years.
The woman who has lived next door for years is our neighbor, a renowned cardiologist.
My English professor encourages creative thinking. She studied at Oxford University.
My English professor, who studied at Oxford University, encourages creative thinking.
He walked down the street while whistling a cheerful tune.
Whistling a cheerful tune, he walked down the street.
The car was repaired yesterday. It now runs smoothly.
Repaired yesterday, the car now runs smoothly.
True or False
The relative pronouns That and Which are used to substitute things in a non-defining relative clause.
False
The relative pronoun That is not used in non-defining relative clauses.
The novel I recommended to you won several literary awards.
This is the award-winning novel (that) I recommended to you.
The new shopping mall has over 200 stores. It opened last month near the city center.
The new shopping mall, which opened last month near the city center, has over 200 stores.
The children laughed loudly as they played in the park.
Laughing loudly, the children played in the park.
The students were shocked by the news. They couldn’t focus on the lesson.
Shocked by the news, the students couldn’t focus on the lesson.
True or False
Participle clauses can substitute a relative pronoun and an auxiliary verb.
True
Example:
The vase which was made in China didn't last.
>The vase made in China didn't last.
The historic town we explored turned out to be my ancestors' birthplace.
We visited the historic town where my ancestors were originally born.
Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa. His notebooks contain groundbreaking scientific sketches.
Leonardo da Vinci, whose notebooks contain groundbreaking scientific sketches, painted the Mona Lisa.
She wrote the report quickly and handed it to her boss.
Having written the report quickly, she handed it to her boss.
The letter was signed by the CEO. It was sent to all employees.
Signed by the CEO, the letter was sent to all employees.
True or False
Relative pronouns can be omitted if they are the subject of the relative clause.
False
Relative pronouns can ONLY be omitted if they are the objects of the relative clause.
Example: The pizza (that) you made was delicious.
>THAT can be omitted because the subject is YOU
The stranded motorist, whose luxury vehicle had completely broken down, surprised us with his cheerful demeanor.
The man whose luxury vehicle had completely broken down, whom we helped, maintained a surprisingly cheerful demeanor.
I met an old friend at the conference. I hadn’t seen her in ten years.
At the conference, I met an old friend, whom I hadn’t seen in ten years.
The athlete ran the final lap, pushing himself to the limit.
Pushing himself to the limit, the athlete ran the final lap.
The castle was built in the 15th century. It attracts thousands of tourists.
Built in the 15th century, the castle attracts thousands of tourists.