Improve_Your_Punctuation.PDF

Using relative pronouns

Relative pronounshave a similar function to conjunctions.
They link subordinate clauses to main clauses. They are
usually preceded by a noun.
The relative pronouns are:

which that who whose whom

‘Which’ and ‘that’ are linked to things while the others are
used with people. ‘That’ can be either a conjunction or a
relative pronoun. It depends how it is used.

I like the dress that is green.

‘That’ follows the noun ‘dress’ so it is a relative pronoun.

Notice that in the following examples the main clause has
been ‘split’ by the subordinate clause which has been in-
serted into it. Commas have been placed either side of the
subordinate clause.

The thief, who was a young boy, ran away.

The main clause is The thief... ran away.

The subordinate clause is... was a young boy

The subject of the subordinate clause is ‘the thief’ which is

‘understood’.

The house, which had been empty for years, was now

occupied.

LEARNING ABOUT SENTENCE CONSTRUCTION / 43