Relative clauses (1)

UNIT 84   Relative clauses (1) clauses with who/that/which

Study this example:

The man (who lives next door) is very friendly
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                       relative clause

A clause is a part of a sentence. A relative clause tells us person or thing (or what kind of person or thing) the speaker means:

• The man who lives next door . . . (who lives next door tells us which man)

• People who live in Paris . . . (who live in Paris tells us what kind of people)

We use who in a relative clause when we are talking about people. We use who instead of he/she/they

the man - (he) lives next door - is very friendly.
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The man (who) lives next door is very friendly.

we know a lot of people - (they) live in Boston.
                                                   ||
We know a lot of people   (who) live in Boston.

• An architect is someone who designs buildings.

• What was the name of the man who lent you the money?

• The girl who was injured in the accident is now in the hospital.

• Anyone who wants to take the exam must sign up before next Friday.

It is also possible to use that instead of who:

• The man that lives next door is very friendly

But sometimes you must use who for people.
                    
B.   When we are talking about things, we use that (not who) in relative clause. We use that instead of it/they:

where are the eggs? - (they) were in the refrigerator
                                           ||
Where are the eggs     (that) were in the refrigerator?

• I don't like stories that have unhappy endings.

• Jerry works for a company that makes typewriters.

• Everything that happened was my fault.

• The window that was broken has now been repaired.

You can also use which for things (but not for people):

• Where are the eggs which were in the refrigerator?

That is more usual than which in the sentences in this unit. But sometimes you must use which.

C.   Remember that we use who/that/which instead of he/she/they/it:

• Do you know the man who lives next door? (not . . . who he lives . . .)