Page 153 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

R e l a t i v e c l a u s e s ( 3 ) : o t h e r r e l a t i v e p r o n o u n s
Relative
clauses
pronouns
relative
(3):
other
whose
whose
We use a relative clause beginning with whose + noun, particularly in written English, when we
We use a relative clause beginning with whose + noun, particularly in written English, when we
about something belonging to or associated with a person. Compare:
talk about something belonging to or associated with a person. Compare:
talk
Stevenson
is an architect. Her designs have won international praise, and
• ¢ Stevenson is an architect. Her designs have won international praise. and
Stevenson is an architect whose
designs have won international praise.
• ¢ Stevenson is an architect whose designs have won international praise.
Dr Rowan has had to do all his own typing. His secretary resigned two weeks ago. and
• ¢ Dr Rowan has had to do all his own typing. His secretary resigned two weeks ago. and
secretary resigned two weeks ago, has had to all his own typing.
Dr Rowan, whose
• « Dr Rowan, whose secretary resigned two weeks ago, has had to all his own typing.
whose
Units
non-defining relative
defining and
71).
can
use
both
clauses
70
(see
&
in
We
We can use whose in both defining and non-defining relative clauses (see Units 70 & 71).
We sometimes use whose when we are talking about things, in particular when we are talking
We sometimes use whose when we are talking about things, in particular when we are talking
about towns or countries, and organisations:
about towns or countries, and organisations:
Sf • ¢ The film was made in Botswana, whose wildlife parks are larger than those in Kenya.
The film was made in Botswana, whose wildlife parks are larger than those in Kenya.
We
companies whose
from
need to learn
more healthy than our own.
trading is
• « • ¢ We need to learn from companies whose trading is more healthy than our own.
Group, whose chairman is
by
the Mearson
Sir James
Bex.
The newspaper is owned
• ¢ The newspaper is owned by the Mearson Group, whose chairman is Sir James Bex.
We can also use whose when we are talking about particular items, although it is often more
We can also use whose when we are talking about particular items, although it is often more
natural in spoken English to avoid sentences like this:
natural in spoken English to avoid sentences like this:
I received a letter, whose poor spelling made me think it was written by a child.
• ¢ I received a letter, whose poor spelling made me think it was written by a child.
spelling...)
natural would be I
received
a letter, and its poor
(more
(more natural would be I received a letter, and its poor spelling...)
where, when, whereby, why
where, when, whereby, why
formal
in
use the words where, when, and whereby as
English
relative pronouns.
often
But
We
We often use the words where, when, and whereby as relative pronouns. But in formal English
in particular, a phrase with preposition + which can often be used instead:
in particular, a phrase with preposition + which can often be used instead:
(where) we first met.
This was the place
(or ...the place at/in which we...)
• ¢ This was the place (where) we first met. (or ...the place at/in which we...)
(when)
give evidence to the court.
he would have to
He wasn't looking forward to the time
• ¢ He wasn't looking forward to the time (when) he would have to give evidence to the court.
(or ...the time at which he would...)
(or ...the time at which he would...)
Do you know the date when we have to submit the first essay?
(or ...the date on/by which
• ¢ Do you know the date when we have to submit the first essay? (or ...the date on/by which
we have to submit the first essay?)
we have to submit the first essay?)
by which means) farmers make more
The government is to end the system whereby (=
• ¢ The government is to end the system whereby (= by which means) farmers make more
(or ...the
system in/by which
money from leaving land unplanted than from growing wheat, (or ...the system in/by which
money from leaving land unplanted than from growing wheat.
farmers...)
farmers...)
We can also use why as a relative pronoun after the word reason. In informal English we can use
We can also use why as a relative pronoun after the word reason. In informal English we can use
that instead of why:
that instead of why:
(or ...the reason
(that) I left.)
I didn't get a pay rise, but this wasn't the reason why I left,
• * I didn't get a pay rise, but this wasn't the reason why I left. (or ...the reason (that) I left.)
who, what, whatever, whoever, whichever
who, what, whatever, whoever, whichever
We sometimes use relative clauses beginning with who or what. In this case, who means 'the
We sometimes use relative clauses beginning with who or what. In this case, who means 'the
that':
thing(s)
what means
people that' and to get all the something like 'the a noun: (not ...books what you asked for.)
people that' and what means something like 'the thing(s) that':
Can you give me a list of who's been invited?
• ¢ Can you give me a list of who's been invited?
g Relative clauses beginning with whatever (= anything or it doesn't matter what), whoever (= the
I didn't know what to do next.
• ¢ I didn't know what to do next.
after
what in this way
use
@Notice that we can't
©Notice that we can't use what in this way after a noun:
for.
•
I managed
books that you asked
• | managed to get all the books that you asked for. (not ...books what you asked for.)
(=
beginning with whatever
the
anything or it doesn't matter what), whoever
(=
Relative clauses
whichever
(=
a
person
or any person/group who),
from
one thing or
or
person/group who
person/group who or any person/group who), or whichever (= one thing or person from a
indefinite or
or people that are
used
to talk about things
of things
or
people)
are
number
limited
limited number of things or people) are used to talk about things or people that are indefinite or
unknown:
unknown:
I'm
enjoy eating
whatever you
I'll
sure
cook.
• ¢ I'm sure I'll enjoy eating whatever you cook.
Whoever wins will go on to play Barcelona
in the
final.
• ¢ Whoever wins will go on to play Barcelona in the final.
Whichever
one
of you
have
for
to
pay
it.
the window will
broke
• ¢ Whichever one ofyou broke the window will have to pay for it.
Relative clauses (1), (2) and (4) =
Redive clauses (1), (2) and (4)=>