1.Relative pronouns (who, whose, which, that, as) point to a noun or a pronoun mentioned before and have conjunctive power, are used to introduce relative clauses. Unlike conjunctions, relative pronouns are members of the clauses.
2. Whois used in reference to human beings or animals: Professor Marvin, who was always early, was there already.
3. Whose is mainly used in reference to human beings or animals, but it may be applied to things: A child whose mother had left was crying loudly.
4. Which is used in reference to things and animals: I gave him an envelope, whichhe put in his pocket at once.
Whichcan be used to say something about the whole situation described in the main clause: I never met Brandy again, which was a pity.
5. That is mainly used in reference to animals and things. It may also be used in reference to human beings: He was the man that bought my house. There was the ice-cream that Mum had made herself. The house that we lived in was huge.
6. As usually introduces attributive clauses when the demonstrative pronoun such is used in the principal clause (it is a rare case when as is used without such in the principal case). As may refer to living things and things: It was crazy for her to think of such a thing as buying a car.
7. Relative pronouns always perform some syntactical function in the clause they introduce. The thing that really surprised me was his attitude. (subject) The car, which caused the accident, drove off. (subject) He has married somebody, who I really don’t like. (object) You are the only person here who knows me. (object)
That, who or which can be left out if they are the objects of the verb in the relative clause: The woman you met yesterday lives next door. Angela was the only person I could talk to.
BUT: That, who or which cannot be omitted when they are the subjects of the verb in the relative clause.
8. The words whoever, whatever, whichever, whenever, however and wherever can be used as relative pronouns.
These words have similar meaning to it doesn’t matter who/what/which, any person who, any thing that, etc, or the unknown person who/ the unknown thing that etc. Whoever comes to the door, tell him I’m busy. Whateveryou do, I’ll always love you. Whicheverof them you marry, you’ll have problems. People always want more, however rich they are. You can come whenever you like. Wherever you go, you’ll find Coca-Cola.
E x e r c i s e s
8.1. Complete the sentences with that, who or which. In some sentences more than one pronoun can be used.
1) Do you know the man who wrote this letter?
2) The magazine … you lent me is very interesting.
3) The street … leads to the station is very wide.
4) The doctor … she visited told her to stay in bed.
5) The man … you want to see has just left.
6) The girl … you see at the door is my sister.
7) This is the only example … I can give you.
8) Yesterday I met my brother, … showed me a letter … he had received from our parents.
9) I went fishing last Sunday, … is one of the most pleasant ways of spending one’s free time.
10) They reached the street in … she lived.
11) The last thing … any of us wants is breakfast.
12) He was late, … made her angry.
13) Have you got back the things … were stolen?
14) You shouldn’t believe all the things … you read in the newspaper.
15) We are moving to Manchester, … is in the north-west.
16) This is one of the songs … the Beatles recoded in 1966.
17) We cannot provide the information … you asked for
