Relative Clause (2)

Question

Hi,Can relative pronouns be omitted in non-defining relative clauses?Ex: I want to go to Wales, where my grandfather was born.My guess is it can't.Regards,Iman

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Again, 'where' is an adverb. In non-defining relative clauses, only 'that' can be omitted except when it is the subject of the clause:

The house (that) I live in
The house that fell down

Imantaghavi · Answer

Thank you mistre Micawbre so much, but in my book(FCE Gold, Longman) the followings have been listed as relative pronouns:

who,which,that,whose,when,where,why

Regards,

Iman

Imantaghavi · Answer

Dear Mistre Micawbre,

Would you please provide me with an example of non-defining relative clause where "that" used as the subject of the clause?

Thank you in advance,

Iman

BillJ · Answer

imantaghaviin my book(FCE Gold, Longman) the followings have been listed as relative pronouns:who,which,that,whose,when,where,why

Some books do call all relative words pronouns. But that's not strictly correct. For example, "when", "where", and "why" are not pronouns; they are traditionally called adverbs. They are relative adverbs when used in relative clauses, such as "a place where you can relax"; but in other constructions they belong in different categories. For example, in "Why did she resign", "why" is an interrogative pronoun.

The same point applies to the other words in your list. For example, in "The film which I needed", "which" is a relative pronoun; but in "Which candidate spoke first", "which" is an interrogative determiner.

BillJ

BillJ · Answer

imantaghaviWould you please provide me with an example of non-defining relative clause where "that" used as the subject of the clause?

It is NOT possible for "that" to be the subject (or anything else) in a non-defining relative clause. "That" can only be used in defining relatives. I think MM made that clear.

BillJ

Relative Clause (2)

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