Theory
Which relative pronouns can we use to make a subject relative clause?
which and that for things
who and that for people
whose for possession
I had never seen a woman __________ could run so fast!
I had never seen a woman WHO / THAT could run so fast!
I was sitting on a chair which belonged to my grandmother.
DEFINING. Of all chairs, this one belonged to my grandmother.
We had a Hallween party.
The party was a lot of fun.
We had a Halloween party that/which was lot of fun.
I'm going out with the girl ___ ___ working at her desk next to the door.
who is
Where does the relative pronoun go?
After the nouns we are talking about.
Sandra, __________ job as a hotel manager gives her many headaches, went to a spa last week.
Sandra, WHOSE job as a hotel manager gives her many headaches, went to a spa last week.
I know a man who played for Arsenal in the 80s.
DEFINING. Of all men, this one played for Arsenal.
The costumes were worn by Yui and Miyu.
The costumes won the prize.
The costumes that/which won the prize were worn Yui and Miyu.
I broke my hand playing/played tennis, and I cannot do the exam, (relative pronoun) is a big problem.
I broke my hand playing tennis, and I cannot do the exam, which is a big problem.
What does a relative clause do?
A relative clause describes, defines, identifies, or gives more information about a noun.
The book, ________ is interesting, was written by Arthur Conan Doyle.
The book, WHICH is interesting, was written by Arthur Conan Doyle.
I love New Zealand, whose landscapes are simply spectacular.
NON-DEFINING. We are describing New Zealand - not distinguishing it from other "New Zealands".
Miyu and Yui dressed up as characters for Halloween.
The characters are from the movie Suicide Squad.
Miyu and Yui dressed up as characters that/which are from the movie Suicide Squad for Halloween.
The man (which/that verb to be stopping/stopped) by the police was later named as Harry Jones.
The man _that was stopped_ by the police was later named as Harry Jones.
Make this into subject relative clause that shows possesion.
The man is devastated. The man's daughter was kidnapped.
The man whose daughter was kidnapped is devastated.
The man _______ owns a red car is in the police station.
The man WHO/THAT owns a red car is in the police station.
My mum, who has been baking for years, made us cupcakes.
NON-DEFINING. I only have one mom.
The jellybeans don't have markings.
The markings tell the good ones from the horrible ones.
The jellybeans don't have markings that/which tell the good ones from the horrible ones.
Form the relative clause: choose the correct relative pronoun. Commas or no commas? Why?
My mother is thinking of opening a restaurant. My mother is an excellent cook.
My mother, who is an excellent cook, is thinking of opening a restaurant.
"My mother" is already a clearly defined noun.
How do you use the verb in a relative clause? With which noun does it agree?
It agrees with the noun the relative pronoun is replacing.
Mary, __________ lives in Scotland, hates the rain.
Which pronoun(s) is/are correct? Can we use "that" in this clause?
NO! Only "who" is right here. Mary, WHO lives in Scotland, hates the rain.
The king of England who created the Anglican Church was Henry VIII.
DEFINING: Of all kings of England in history, we want to talk about this one in particular.
The jellybeans either taste like chocolate pudding or dog food.
The jellybeans are brown.
The jellybeans that/which are brown either taste like chocolate pudding or dog food.
Form a relative clause with the words in parenthesis and WHOSE.
Students___________ (grades/be/low) can drop one test score.
Students whose grades are low can drop one test score.