Subordinate Clauses

with
Relative Pronouns
 What is a Subordinate Clause?

A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete

sentence; it merely complements a main clause of a sentence, thereby

adding to the whole unit of meaning. Because a subordinate clause is

dependent upon a main clause to be meaningful, it is also referred to as a

dependent clause.
Main Clause and Subordinate Clause
A main clause is a clause that makes sense on its own and can also
exist in a sentence on its own.

A Subordinate clause is a clause that does not make sense on its own
and cannot be a sentence on its own.
Example: Peter, who was playing in the jumping castle,
was excited.

Main clause - Peter was excited.

Subordinate clause - who was playing in the jumping

castle
 What is a Relative Pronoun?

A relative pronoun is a word that introduces a dependent (or relative) clause and

connects it to an independent clause. A clause beginning with a relative pronoun is

poised to answer questions such as Which one? How many? or What kind?

Examples of relative pronouns:

who, whose, which, that, where and whom

 What is a Relative Pronoun?

A relative pronoun works as a connector between two

clauses. It introduces a relative clause. Relative pronouns

are that, which, who, whose, where and whom.

 When to use who, whose, where
We use who in relative clauses for a person. Who is followed by
a verb.

We use whose in relative clauses instead of his/hers/theirs.

Whose is followed by a noun.

We use where in relative clauses to talk about a place. Where

is followed by a noun or pronoun.
 Difference between ‘which’ and ‘that’
“which” can only refer to animals in general or things.
“that” can refer to animals, things and people.
Examples:
“The people that you love matter the most.” (“Which” is not possible here.)
“The love which you feel is all that matters.” (Both “which” and “that” are
possible here.)
 Difference between ‘which’ and ‘that’
It's a popular grammar question and most folks want a quick rule of
thumb so they can get it right.

Here it is: If the sentence doesn't need the clause (unnecessary)

that the word in question is connecting, use which.

If it does (necessary), use that.

 If the subordinate clause is
NECESSARY, do not set it off
by a comma.
 If the subordinate clause is
UNNECESSARY, set it off by a
comma.
 Fill in each blank with the correct relative pronoun
who, whose, that, which or where
1.I talked to the girl _________ car had broken down in front of the shop.
2.They are closing the school _________ I studied when I was a child.

3.I need a book _________ will tell me all about city gardening.

4.Mr Richards, _________ is a taxi driver, lives on the corner.

5.I live in a house in Norwich _________ is in East Anglia.
6.This is the girl _________ comes from Spain.
7.The young man, _________ father is a professor, forgot his umbrella.
8.I saw John in the shop _________ you bought your brown T-shirt.

9.The children broke the picture _________ you had bought in Paris.

10.The woman _________ luggage was stolen was very upset.

11.The building _________ was built long ago about is just down the road.

12.The woman _________ son you met is the guest speaker.

 Fill in each blank with the correct relative pronoun
who, whose, that, which or where

1.I talked to the girl whose car had broken down in front of the shop.
2.They are closing the school where I studied when I was a child.

3.I need a book that/which will tell me all about city gardening.

4.Mr Richards, who is a taxi driver, lives on the corner.

5.I live in a house in Norwich which/that is in East Anglia.
6.This is the girl who comes from Spain.
7.The young man, whose father is a professor, forgot his umbrella.
8.I saw John in the shop where you bought your brown T-shirt.

9.The children broke the picture which/that you had bought in Paris.

10.The woman whose luggage was stolen was very upset.

11.The building that/which was built long ago about is just down the road.

12.The woman whose son you met is the guest speaker.