{"id":49413,"date":"2022-09-14T15:55:52","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T13:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/?p=49413"},"modified":"2022-09-14T15:55:52","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T13:55:52","slug":"how-to-use-relative-pronouns-in-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/how-to-use-relative-pronouns-in-english\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Use Relative Pronouns in English"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today we\u2019re taking a look at some English grammar that sometimes trips up<\/strong><\/span><\/em> language learners. In fact<\/strong><\/span><\/em>, we\u2019ve just used it in that first sentence\u2026can you see it? That\u2019s right \u2013 we\u2019re talking about relative pronouns!<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll show you what they are, how to use them in defining and non-defining relative clauses, and some common mistakes to watch out for<\/strong><\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n

By the end of this article, you\u2019ll be using relative pronouns like a pro! Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What are relative pronouns?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Relative pronouns are words that join two clauses together to add more information, just like we did by using that<\/em> in the introduction.<\/p>\n

The relative pronoun we choose depends on:<\/p>\n

– what we\u2019re talking about (e.g. people\/things\/places) <\/em><\/p>\n

– the type of clause we\u2019re going to add (defining\/non-defining)<\/em><\/p>\n

Many relative pronouns start with \u2018wh-\u2019: who, which, whose, where, when, and why*<\/em>.<\/p>\n

But, as you know, we have plenty<\/strong><\/span><\/em> of exceptions in English, and in this case it\u2019s that<\/em>.<\/p>\n

That<\/em> is only used in defining relative clauses and can mean both \u2018who\u2019 and \u2018which\u2019.<\/p>\n

*Why<\/em> is also only used in defining relative clauses.<\/p>\n

\"What
\n <\/p>\n

How to use relative pronouns<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

To see how to use relative pronouns, let\u2019s break down<\/strong><\/span><\/em> our introductory sentence into its two clauses:<\/p>\n

Today we\u2019re taking a look at some English grammar.<\/em><\/p>\n

It sometimes trips up language learners.<\/em><\/p>\n

We can combine the two clauses with the relative pronouns that<\/em> or which<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Today we\u2019re taking a look at some English grammar that<\/strong> sometimes trips up language learners.<\/em><\/p>\n

The second clause has given us information about the noun (\u2018some English grammar\u2019).<\/p>\n

Quick tip:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Psst! Have you noticed that we removed a word when we joined the two clauses together?<\/p>\n

…You got it! We removed the subject it<\/em> from the second clause. That\u2019s because the relative pronoun (that)<\/em> becomes the subject of the verb confuses<\/em>, and we don\u2019t need two subjects, so goodbye, it<\/em>!<\/p>\n

Now that we\u2019ve seen the pronouns and how to use them, let\u2019s look at more details of the two types of relative clauses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Relative clauses add extra information about a noun. The way we use relative clauses depends on whether<\/strong><\/span><\/em>:<\/p>\n

– the information we add is vital to understanding the sentence.<\/p>\n

– the sentence makes sense<\/strong><\/span><\/em> without that information.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Defining clauses<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Imagine we say, \u2018Hey look, that\u2019s the dog!\u2019<\/em> Do you know which dog we\u2019re talking about? Not yet because we haven\u2019t defined<\/em> it.<\/p>\n

We need a defining clause<\/strong> to add more information about the noun. This clause doesn\u2019t use commas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

e.g. That\u2019s the dog which<\/strong> bit my sister!<\/em><\/p>\n

Now do you know more information about the dog? Yes \u2013 run!<\/p>\n

Here are some more examples of defining relative clauses. When you\u2019re reading them, ask yourself: Which girl? Which cake? Which neighbour? etc.<\/p>\n

The bag belongs to the girl who\/that left early.<\/em><\/p>\n

We tried the cake which\/that you recommended!<\/em><\/p>\n

I spoke to the neighbour whose dog jumped into my garden.<\/em><\/p>\n

She wants to visit the place where you took those photos.<\/em><\/p>\n

This is the time of year when there are more mosquitoes.<\/em><\/p>\n

That\u2019s the reason why I\u2019m not going.<\/em><\/p>\n

In each sentence, notice how the defining clause provides a complete meaning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Non-defining clauses<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Next, imagine we\u2019re angry, and we tell you: \u2018The man left without paying!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018What?\u2019<\/em> you say, \u2018do you know his name?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018No…\u2019<\/em> we reply, sadly. \u2018He never told us his name…\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Here we can look at how non-defining clauses add extra information, with commas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This information can be removed and we can still understand the sentence.<\/p>\n

e.g. The man, who never told us his name<\/strong>, left without paying.<\/em><\/p>\n

If we take away<\/strong><\/span><\/em> \u2018who never told us his name\u2019<\/em>, we still understand that a man left without paying.<\/p>\n

The information between the commas may be useful or interesting, but it isn\u2019t vital.<\/p>\n

More examples:<\/p>\n

Steve, who\u2019s a local carpenter, helped to build the house.<\/em><\/p>\n

They went shopping instead of going to the beach, which was unusual.<\/em><\/p>\n

Your cousin, whose name I\u2019ve forgotten, seemed to enjoy the party.<\/em><\/p>\n

The restaurant, where many celebrities had eaten, won the prize.<\/em><\/p>\n

Last year, when I hadn\u2019t started my course yet, I had a lot of free time.<\/em><\/p>\n

The non-defining clause can disappear and we still understand the sentences, right? Right!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Common mistakes using relative pronouns<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 
\n\"How
\n <\/p>\n

Time for a round-up of everything we\u2019ve looked at!<\/p>\n

\"Summary
\n <\/p>\n

More grammar resources<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feeling like a pro? Ready to practise your next grammar point? Try one of these!<\/p>\n

How to use 6 different English pronouns<\/a><\/p>\n

How to use articles (a, an, the) in English<\/a><\/p>\n

4 Different Types Of Modal Verbs<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like more help with your grammar, check out our range of courses<\/a>. You can sign up online<\/a> or contact us<\/a> for more information!<\/p>\n

\">
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>\n

Glossary for Language Learners<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

Trip up (pv):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> to cause you to make a mistake.<\/p>\n

In fact (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> actually.<\/p>\n

Watch out for (pv):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> to be careful to notice someone or something interesting.<\/p>\n

Plenty (n):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> enough or more than enough, a large amount\/number.<\/p>\n

Break down (pv):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> divide into smaller parts.<\/p>\n

Whether (conj):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> if (to refer to one or more possibilities).<\/p>\n

Make sense (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> to be clear and easy to understand.<\/p>\n

Take away (pv):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> remove.<\/p>\n

Have trouble (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> have problems or difficulties.<\/p>\n

\">
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>\n

Key<\/strong><\/p>\n

pv = phrasal verb<\/p>\n

exp = expression<\/p>\n

n = noun<\/p>\n

v = verb<\/p>\n

conj = conjunction<\/p>\n

\">
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>\n

Improve your English with Oxford House Barcelona<\/h4><\/i>Interested in taking an English course at Oxford House Barcelona? Check the English Courses<\/a> we can offer you or contact us<\/a> for more information.<\/div>
<\/div>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today we\u2019re taking a look at some English grammar that sometimes trips up language learners. In fact, we\u2019ve just used it in that first sentence\u2026can you see it? That\u2019s right \u2013 we\u2019re talking about relative pronouns! We\u2019ll show you what they are, how to use them in defining and non-defining relative clauses, and some common […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":49435,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[]},"categories":[268],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49413"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49413"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49413\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49438,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49413\/revisions\/49438"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49413"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=49413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}