Use relative
clauses
Use relative
pronouns to
introduce relative
clauses
Faraway Fiction
Pronouns
We can use a pronoun in the place of a noun.
Issa watched the sun. The sun warmed Issa. Issa smiled.
Issa watched the sun. It warmed him. He smiled.
Pronouns help us avoid repeating the same noun.
They help keep writing varied and flowing.
Revision
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns are used differently to other pronouns.
They introduce a relative clause.
They relate the clause to the noun or pronoun.
The camel, which was covered in sand, refused
to move.
It bared its teeth which were yellow and
crooked.
Issa, who had heard a cry, cautiously
approached.
Relative Pronouns
He gently pulledwhere,
who, which, at the when,
bridle whose,
that the camel
that
was wearing.
Relative Clauses
Relative clauses can give more information about a noun or pronoun.
They usually begin with a relative pronoun.
The child wailed. Tell me more about the child.
The child, who was wrapped in finest, softest cotton, wailed.
The child, who had huge black pearls for eyes, wailed.
The child, who had been hidden inside the woven basket, wailed.
Relative Pronouns
who, which, where, when, whose, that
Relative Clauses
Relative clauses can give more information about a noun or pronoun.
They usually begin with a relative pronoun.
Mariama knew the desert. Tell me more about the desert.
Mariama knew the desert which was vast and beautiful.
Mariama knew the desert where many travellers needed guiding.
Mariama knew the desert that became her home.
Relative Pronouns
who, which, where, when, whose, that
Spotting Relative Clauses
Read the sentences below. Can you spot the relative clause in each?
The travellers, who needed a guide, were always sent to Issa.
Issa, who loved the desert, was never lost in it.
The camel, which was carrying Mariama, protected her from the storm.
Mariama wore a pendant that was the shape of half a star.
Mariama grew up in the desert where she was found.
Identify the relative pronouns.
Hint: They introduce the relative clause.
ANSWERS
Spotting Relative Clauses
Read the sentences below. Can you spot the relative clause in each?
The travellers, who needed a guide, were always sent to Issa.
Issa, who loved the desert, was never lost in it.
The camel, which was carrying Mariama, protected her from the storm.
Mariama wore a pendant that was the shape of half a star.
Mariama grew up in the desert where she was found.
Identify the relative pronouns.
Hint: They introduce the relative clause.
ANSWERS
Adding Relative Clauses
Can you add a relative clause to these sentences?
The camel, which_________________, lurched along.
The men, who________________, came to the house.
The tea, which______________, was given to the guests.
Scarface gave Issa pearls
that______________________.
Issa agreed to help the travellers whose______________.
Punctuating Relative Clauses
When the relative clause comes after the main clause,
we do not usually separate the clauses with a comma.
main clause relative clause
Jin-Jin wriggled his nose which was sniffing the dawn air.
Mariama spotted tracks where the travellers had walked.
Issa taught Mariama who was keen to learn everything.
A comma would create an unnecessary break in the sentence.
Punctuating Embedded Relative Clauses
Sometimes the relative clause is embedded in the main clause.
main clause
Issa cared for Mariama as
his own.
The relative clause needs to be next to
Tell me more about Issa. the noun: Issa.
Punctuating Embedded Relative Clauses
Sometimes the relative clause is embedded in the main clause.
main clause main clause
Issa, who was the best guide in the land, cared for Mariama as his
own.
The main clause splits to make space...
Tell me more about Issa.
Punctuating Embedded Relative Clauses
Sometimes the relative clause is embedded in the main clause.
Commas separate the clauses because the relative clause breaks up the main clause.
main clause main clause
Issa, who was the best guide in the land, cared for Mariama as his own.
The main clause splits to make space...
Tell me more about Issa. for the relative clause.
Punctuating Relative Clauses
Where are the relative clauses? Which need to be punctuated with commas?
Mariama climbed the steep path which was just a crack in the rock.
he mountain peaks which
, were grooved like ancient teeth
, touched the clouds.
Mariama who, had never seen anything so beautiful
, cried aloud.
She spotted a little twist of smoke that drifted up from the
valley.
Issa who ,was waiting for her, asked what she had seen.
Commas are used when the relative clause
is embedded.
ANSWERS
Relative Clauses
Relative clauses can also relate to a whole sentence or clause.
Issa’s sight was failing. This is a sentence.
Issa’s sight was failing, which worried It is not the sight which worried
Mariama. Mariama. It is the failing of the
sight. The relative clause relates to
the whole sentence.
