Relative Pronouns as Subjects
Structure
Who
Which + verb + complement
that
Example :
Football, which is the most popular American sport, began at Harvard University
Subject
Relative Prononun
For Humans
Restrictive
Who, that
a. People save time and energy.
b. They use microwave ovens.
c. People, who use microwave ovens, save time and energy.
People, that use microwave ovens, save time and energy (informal).
Nonrestrictive
who
a. Micowave cooking is not popule with most professional chefs.
b. Professional chefs say that fast cooking doesn’t allow flavors to blend.
c. Micowave cooking is not populer with most professional chefs, who say that fast
cooking doesn’t allow flavors to blend.
For NonHumans/thing
Restrictive
That
a. Ovens are capable of cooking food quickly.
b. They use microwave energy.
c. Ovens, that They use microwave energy, are capable of cooking food quickly.
Nonrestrictive
which
a. An electron tube in the oven produces microwaves.
b. Microwaves cook by agitating the water molecules in food.
c. An electron tube in the oven produces microwaves, which cook by agitating the
water molecules in food.
Practice
John Fish explaned the complex structure of DNA. He is a research
chemist.
John Fish, who a research chemist, explaned the complex structure of
DNA.
While he lectured, he showed us a slide. The slide diagrammed the
double helix structure of DNA.
While he lectured, he showed us a slide, which diagrammed the
double helix structure of DNA.
Relative Pronouns a Objects
Structure
Who
Which + subject + verb + complement
That
O’
Example :
The Address that he gave me was incorrect.
Object
Relative Prononun
The symbol o’ indicates that relative pronouns can be left out
For Humans
Restrictive
Whom, that, o’
a. You should see the professor.
b. The professor is chair of the English Department.
c. The professor, whom you should see, is chair of the English Department.
The professor, that you should see, is chair of the English Department. (informal)
Nonrestrictive
whom
a. You met Dr.White in my office.
b. Dr.White is an ecologist.
c. Dr.White, whom you met in my office, is an ecologist.
For NonHumans/thing
Restrictive
That, o’
a. Ovens are capable of cooking food quickly.
b. They use microwave energy.
c. Ovens, that They use microwave energy, are capable of cooking food quickly.
Nonrestrictive
which
a. An electron tube in the oven produces microwaves.
b. Microwaves cook by agitating the water molecules in food.
c. An electron tube in the oven produces microwaves, which cook by agitating the
water molecules in food.
Practice
Albert Einstein was a high school dropout. The world recognized him
as genius.
The world recognized Albert Einstein, whom a high school dropout, as
genius.
He did poorly in subjects. He dislike them.
He did poorly in subjects that he dislike.