Grammar Notes

1. Relative Pronouns

*The relative pronouns in parentheses may be omitted In a sentence.

- That is the man who spoke at the lecture.
- We are always looking for people who have a lot of experience in sales.
- The photocopier which jammed this morning is now working well.
- The package that arrived this morning was addressed to you.
- The people who we met yesterday want to buy the house.
- Mr. Urso was the man with whom we discussed our remodeling plans.
- That is the building in which I worked when I got my first job.
- The photocopier that I use makes color copies.
- It was the customer service team whose design won first prize.
- It was a project whose aim I found hard to comprehend.

Note: That cannot be used in non-restrictive relative clauses.
- I lent him my camera, which Is very easy to use.
NOT l lent him my camera, that is very easy to use.

2. Relative Pronoun What

- What has the meaning of ”the thing(s) which/that."

- It can be used as a subject, object, or complement.

- What I want to do is become an accountant.
(What = subject = the thing that I want to do)

- I already purchased what we need for the project.
(What = object = the things we need for the project)

- This award is what we have been working so hard for.
(What = complement = the award we have been working so hard for)

Note: What cannot be used to refer to a noun or pronoun that comes immediately before It.

- Everything (which/that) we have in this store must be sold by tomorrow.
NOT Everything what we have in this store must be sold by tomorrow.

3. Relative Adverbs
A relative clause introduced by an adverb such as why, when, where, or how is also known as a relative adverb clause.

- I would like to know the reason (why) he decided not to resign.
- No one is exactly sure the day (when) the company was founded.
- I need to find a place (where) I can store these binders.
- None of the new interns are sure how they should be recording their hours.

4. Relative Clause + Preposition

- When there is a preposition in a relative clause, the relative pronoun is the object of the preposition.
- A preposition is usually placed at the end of a relative clause.
- Who is the person (whom) we will be meeting with?
- It is a well-known company (which) many people want to work for.
- Have you ever met the regional director (that) the manager always talks about?

Note: It is common practice in written English to place the preposition before the relative clause.
- The person with whom he is speaking is the president.
-The person who/that he is speaking with is the president.
NOTThe person with who/that he is speaking is the president.