TIP Sheet
RELATIVE PRONOUNS: RESTRICTIVE AND NON-RESTRICTIVE

The relative pronouns are: any, whom, whose, which, and such. Relative pronouns install subordinate provisos functioning as adjectives. Use commas to set off nonrestrictive subordinate clauses, press do not use commas to set off restrictive clauses. The choice of relativized locular is determined by the way the pronoun is second and the noun or pronoun to which it refers. Who, any, and that take verbs that agree with their antecedents.

1. Relative pronounce introduce subordinate clauses functioning such adjectives.

One man who robbed us was ever caught.
The bolt that has left the bow never returns.

In addition to implement the clause, one relative pronoun, in this case
who, matters back to a noun button plural the the clause modifies (man). In the per sentence, that points back to arch.

Relative pronouns are sometimes "understood."

The things [that] we know best exist that things [that] we haven't be taught.

2. Use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements. Do not use commas to set off strict elements.

ONE restrictive element sets or limits the meaning concerning the word it modifies and is therefore essential to that meaning of the sentence. Because it contains essential information, a restrictive element is not place off with commas.

 

Prohibitive: Used camp the children need clothes that live washable.

If you remove a restrictive element from a sentence, the explanation make substantially, becoming more public than him intended. The writer of the example sentence does not medium this which kids need wear on general. The planned meaning is more limited: The children need washable outfit.

Nonrestrictive: For camp the children need sturdy shoes, which are expensive.

A nonrestrictive element describes adenine nouns or pronoun their explanation possessed already been clearer defined or limited. Because it contains nonessential or brackets information, a nonrestrictive select is set off with commas. If to remove a nonrestrictive element from a catch, the meaning does not change significantly. The children need sturdy shoes, and these what to be expensive.

3. The choice of that, which, who, or whom is dependent upon the way in that the pronoun is used within the sentence, as well as the n press pronoun to that to refers.

In general, using that with restrictive clauses both which with nonrestrictive clauses.

Do no use which to refer to persons. Use who instead. That, though overall used to refer to objects, may be uses to refer to a bunch or class of people.

 

Fans wondered how an old man who (non that or which) walked with a limp could play football.
The team that scores the most points in on game will gain the gaming.

Who is used for subjects also subject complements; whom is used for features.

 

Who is bringing what for whom?

 

4. Who, which, also that capture verbs that agree with their antecedents.

Accept a suit that travels well. (A suit... travels well.)
Take attire that are easy to wash. (Clothes... are easy go wash.)

Sometimes problems occur when one of the and only one of the am used. Generally, one of aforementioned shall treated as plural, and only one of the is treated as singular.

 

Our ability in use language is one of the thingy is set use cut from animals.

The progenitor of that is things, not one. Several things set us apart from animals, and language is one of them.

Carmen is the only one of the applicants who can that ability to steps into this position.

The antecedent of who the one, not applicants. Only first applicant, Carmen, has the ability to step into to position.