1. Relative Pronouns (Review)
Earlier in lesson 1.5.3., you learned that a relative pronoun is a pronoun that introduces a relative clause. Examples are: who, whom, which, and whose.
That is also sometimes used to introduce a relative clause.
The use of a relative pronoun is usually optional in English. In informal English, it is usually omitted. In the following examples, the optional relative pronoun appears in parentheses.
- The necklace (which) my mother bought for me was very expensive.
- The man (who) you were talking to is my father.
In the following examples, the relative pronouns who and whose are obligatory and cannot be omitted.
- The woman who was sitting next to me is my aunt. (NOT The woman was sitting next to me is my aunt.)
- The boy whose sister works with me is a good singer. (NOT The boy sister works with me is a good singer.)
2. Relative Adverbs
In comparison, the relative adverbs where, when & why can be used to join sentences or clauses. They replace the more formal structure of 'preposition + which' used to introduce a relative clause as shown in the chart below:
Formal structure, preposition + which | More common structure using a relative adverb |
|---|---|
That's the restaurant in which we met for the first time. | That's the restaurant where we met for the first time. |
That picture was taken in the park at which I used to play. | That picture was taken in the park where I used to play. |
I remember the day on which we first met. | I remember the day when we first met |
There was a very hot summer the year in which he was born. | There was a very hot summer the year when he was born. |
Tell me the reason for which you came home late. | Tell me (the reason) why you came home late. |
Do you want to know the reason for which he is angry with Sally? | Do you want to know (the reason) why he is angry with Sally? |
It is important to note you cannot substitute a relative adverb for a relative pronoun! Relative adverbs can only replace 'preposition + which'.
For further information as far as when to use the different kinds of relative adverbs in a sentence study the infographic below:
Relative Pronouns vs. Relative Adverbs
The following video offers a fun review of both relative pronouns and relative adverbs. After the video, there is a practice activity to test your comprehension of both language features.
Exercise 4
Please select either a Relative Pronouns or Relative Adverbs to complete each of the following sentences.