Write sentences using relative pronouns!!!

Question

Write a sentence using each of the following relative pronouns correctly in a subordinate clause.

1. whomever (objective)

2. whoever (nominative)

3. who (nominative)

4. whom (objective)

5. which (nominative/objective)

6. that (nominative/objective)

i have to do this three times and i was wondering if anyone could give me an exampple of each???

it would be very much appriciated!!

Doctor D · Accepted Answer

Okay, the thing to remember is that people are one of two things in a sentence. Either they do something (nominative or subjective) or something is done to them (objective). Who is always a subject; whom is always an object. Which and that vary by their position in the sentence.

1. whomever (objective)
Jack hits the ball to whomever has a mitt. (Indirect object)

2. whoever (nominative)
Whoever has a glove can play.

3. who (nominative)
Who is at the door?

4. whom (objective)
Whom did you see when you opened the door?

5. which (nominative/objective)
Which is my slice of pie? (Nominative). The choice boiled down to which came first. (Objective)

6. that (nominative/objective)
That is never an option. (Nominative). I don't think much of that. (Objective).

Hope this helps.

English 1b3 · Answer

Hi, Doctor D

YOur first example is incorrect. It should be the nominative case 'whoever.'

whoever has a mit is a noun clause, with whoever as the subject of the verb 'has.'

Doctor D · Answer

So, we need a new example:

Give this book to whomever you like.

English 1b3 · Answer

Doctor DSo, we need a new example:

Give this book to whomever you like.

There we go!

BillJ · Answer

Doctor DOkay, the thing to remember is that people are one of two things in a sentence. Either they do something (nominative or subjective) or something is done to them (objective). Who is always a subject; whom is always an object. Which and that vary by their position in the sentence.
1. whomever (objective)

Jack hits the ball to whomever has a mitt. (Indirect object)
2. whoever (nominative)

Whoever has a glove can play.

3. who (nominative)

Who is at the door?

4. whom (objective)

Whom did you see when you opened the door?

5. which (nominative/objective)

Which is my slice of pie? (Nominative). The choice boiled down to which came first. (Objective)

6. that (nominative/objective)

That is never an option. (Nominative

Sorry to be picky Doctor D, buy the poster asked us to write sentences containing a list of wh-relative pronouns (and also 'that' as a relative) correctly used in a subordinate clause (i.e. a relative subordinate clause). I think you'll find that only your examples 1. and 2. actually contain subordinate relative clauses. Your others are either simple sentences or, as in 4, a main clause, and the pronouns are not relative.

It's obviously just an oversight on your part, so do you want to post another reply that addresses the original question?

BillJ

Doctor D · Answer

Starting afresh (I shouldn't have skimmed through this question). Yes, this is a tough exercise.

1. whomever (objective)
Jack will hate whomever you love.

2. whoever (nominative)
Jack will like whoever has money.

3. who (nominative)
A thief is a man who steals your money.

4. whom (objective)
The thief is a man whom we all hate.

5. which (nominative/objective)
(Nominative) Which of them hates me more is a question still to be decided. (Objective) I haven't decided which of them hates me more.

6. that (nominative/objective)
(Nominative) That no one would believe you is exactly what I expected. (Objective) I expected that no one would believe you.

If anyone has better examples, let them comment now or forever hold their peace.

BillJ · Answer

Doctor D
5. which (nominative/objective)

(Nominative) Which of them hates me more is a question still to be decided. (Objective) I haven't decided which of them hates me more.

6. that (nominative/objective)

(Nominative) That no one would believe you is exactly what I expected. (Objective) I expected that no one would believe you.

I'm really sorry Doctor D, but your 5. and 6. examples are still not relatives. In 5, 'which' is a pronoun, but not relative, and in 6, 'that' is a conjunction introducing content (not relative) clauses. May I suggest:

5. I can see the books [which are on the shelf] (subject)

I know the book [which you like]. (object)

6. I like a book [that makes grammar easy] (subject)

The car [that I bought] has gone wrong. (object)

BillJ

Doctor D · Answer

I see I need to refresh my technical grammar. It is easy to go astray with the all-purpose "that." However, I am not so sure that the phrases used in example five are not relative pronouns. Are really saying that "which... hates me more" is not a subordinate clause introduced by a noun-substitute?

BillJ · Answer

Doctor DI see I need to refresh my technical grammar. It is easy to go astray with the all-purpose "that." However, I am not so sure that the phrases used in example five are not relative pronouns. Are really saying that "which... hates me more" is not a subordinate clause introduced by a noun-substitute?

Hello Doctor D

Your clauses are subordinate, but they're not relative, which is where the problem lies. Conventional relative clauses refer back to a head noun outside the relative clause itself (Grammarians call this 'anaphoric reference'). They serve to give either vital defining information, or just optional, extra information, about the head noun. If you look at my examples you'll see that the relative clauses define exactly which book(s) is/are being referred to. Also, the relative pronouns could be replaced by the head nouns they're referring back to: 'The books are on the shelf' and 'The book you like'.

Back to your sentences: your subordinate clauses are in fact 'interrogative content clauses':

The interpretation of your first sentence is "The answer to the question 'which of them hates me more?' is a question still to be decided", with the subject thus a subordinate interrogative content clause.

The interpretation of your second sentence is "I haven't decided the answer to the question 'which of them hates me more?'", with the object clause thus a subordinate interrogative content clause, also.

BillJ

English 1b3 · Answer

BillJConventional relative clauses refer back to a head noun outside the relative clause itself

What noun do these relative clauses refer to, Bill J? [:^)]

1. whomever (objective)

Jack will hate whomever you love.

2. whoever (nominative)

Jack will like whoever has money.

Write sentences using relative pronouns!!!

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