Defining relative clauses, Schemi e mappe concettuali di Inglese

Scarica Defining relative clauses e più Schemi e mappe concettuali in PDF di Inglese solo su Docsity! Defining relative clauses We use defining relative clauses to give essential information about someone or something – information that we need in order to understand what or who is being referred to. A defining relative clause usually comes immediately after the noun it describes. We usually use a relative pronoun (e.g. who, that, which, whose and whom) to introduce a defining relative clause (In the examples, the relative clause is in bold, and the person or thing being referred to is underlined.): They’re the people who want to buy our house. Here are some cells which have been affected. They should give the money to somebody who they think needs the treatment most. [talking about an actress] She’s now playing a woman whose son was killed in the First World War. Spoken English: In defining relative clauses we often use that instead of who, whom or which. This is very common in informal speaking: They’re the people that want to buy our house. Here are some cells that have been affected. Subject or object The relative pronoun can define the subject or the object of the verb: They’re the people who/that bought our house. (The people bought our house. The people is the subject.) They’re the people who/that she met at Jon’s party. (She met the people. The people is the object.) Here are some cells which/that show abnormality. (Some cells show abnormality. Some cells is the subject.) Here are some cells which/that the researcher has identified. (The researcher has identified some cells. Some cells is the object.) No relative pronoun We often leave out the relative pronoun when it is the object of the verb: They’re the people she met at Jon’s party. Here are some cells the researcher has identified. Punctuation Warning: In writing, we don’t use commas in defining relative clauses: This is a man who takes his responsibilities seriously. Not: This is a man, who takes his responsibilities seriously. Nouns and pronouns in relative clauses When the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, we don’t use another personal pronoun or noun in the relative clause because the subject (underlined) is the same: She’s the lady who lent me her phone. (who is the subject of the relative clause, so we don’t need the personal pronoun she) Not: She’s the lady who she lent me her phone. There are now only two schools in the area that actually teach Latin. (that is the subject of the relative clause, so we don’t need the personal pronoun they) Not: There are now only two schools in the area that they actually teach Latin. When the relative pronoun is the object of the relative clause, we don’t use another personal pronoun or noun in the relative clause because the object (underlined) is the same: We had a lovely meal at the place which Phil recommended. (which is the object of the relative clause, so we don’t need the personal pronoun it) Not: We had a lovely meal at the place which Phil recommended it. Non-defining relative clauses We use non-defining relative clauses to give extra information about the person or thing. It is not necessary information. We don’t need it to understand who or what is being referred to. We always use a relative pronoun (who, which, whose or whom) to introduce a non-defining relative clause (In the examples, the relative clause is in bold, and the person or thing being referred to is underlined.) Clare, who I work with, is doing the London marathon this year. Not: Clare, I work with, is doing the London marathon this year . Doctors use the testing kit for regular screening for lung and stomach cancers, which account for 70% of cancers treated in the western world. Alice, who has worked in Brussels and London ever since leaving Edinburgh, will be starting a teaching course in the autumn. Warning: Relative pronouns da English Grammar Today Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses. The most common relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, that. The relative pronoun we use depends on what we are referring to and the type of relative clause. who people and sometimes pet animals that people, animals and things; informal possessive meaning; whose for people and animals usually; sometimes for things in formal situations people in formal styles or in writing; often with a whom preposition; rarely in conversation; used instead of who if who is the object no when the relative pronoun defines the object of the relative clause pronoun defining and non-defining defining and non-defining; clause referring to a whole sentence defining only defining and non-defining defining and non-defining defining only (In the examples, the relative pronoun is in brackets to show where it is not essential; the person or thing being referred to is underlined.) We dont know the person who donated this money. We drove past my old school. which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. He went to the schoo! (that) my father went to. The Kingfisher group. whose name was changed from Woolworths earlier this year, includes about 720 high street shops. Superdrug, which last week announced that it is buying Medicare, is also part of the group. The parents (whom/who/that) we interviewed were all involved in education in some way. Warning: We can use that instead of who, whom or which in defining relative clauses, but not in non- defining relative clauses: I think anyone who speaks in public is nervous beforehand. I think anyone that speaks in public is nervous beforehand. Her car, which was very old, broke down after just five miles. Not: Her car, that was very old, broke down after just five miles.