The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002
14.4. Relative clauses
Unit fourteen. Modifying
Sections 685-694; 110-111; 371-372; 461; 595; 659; 747
The main function of a relative clause is to modify a noun or phrase. There are several relative pronouns to choose from. The choice depends on:
• whether the clause is restrictive or non-restrictive
• whether the head noun-phrase is personal or non-personal
• what role the pronoun has in the relative clause.
The uses of relative pronouns are shown in this table:
Task one *
Match the clauses in column A with those in column B.
A
1. I didn’t get the job
2. That’s the room
3. There was a time
4. I couldn’t do a job
5. I don’t know the woman
6. Australia is a country
7. That’s something
8. They got to the moon in the year
9. They climbed the hill
10. During the war they hid in cellars
B
a. that gave me no spare time.
b. which I will not put up with.
c. I applied for.
d. in which there were often huge rats.
e. when people helped each other.
f. you mustn’t go into.
g. at the top of which was an old stone monument.
h. who you were talking to.
i. which is very arid in the centre.
j. in which I was born.
Task two **
Link the clauses below with a relative pronoun, omitting the part of the second sentence corresponding to the relative pronoun.
1. It is something. I’m expected to do it.
2. She was a clever woman. The company exploited her.
3. He was an actor. No-one had ever heard of him.
4. I like being married to a chef. His sister owns the restaurant.
5. I enjoyed the production of ’No Man’s Land’. Ian Holm starred in it.
6. I’ve finished the book. You got as a prize.
7. How do you like living in the town? You work there.
8. It was a lovely day. We went to Brighton then.
9. He’s got a new computer. He can’t use it.
10. He told me about it in the letter. The letter came this morning.
Task three **
Complete the following text by using a relative pronoun. On some occasions the pronoun will be governed by a preposition.
The wide range of skills and trades ... (1) ... was needed to maintain a big Victorian country estate is shown by the large number of workers ... (2) ... were on the staff of any large manor house. At Wallington, Northumberland ... (3) ... was the home of Sir Charles Edward Trevelyan (1809-86), ... (4) ... was the second baronet, there were over 30 male staff most ... (5) ... would have lived on the estate. There would also have been a large female staff most ... (6) ... work would have been within the house. Photographs from the late 19th century ... (7) ... male and female staff are always shown separately reflect a bygone way of life ... (8) ... we find little has survived in the great houses of today. On the Wallington estate, there is still a saw-mill ... (9) ... three foresters are based, but such posts as footman and rabbit-catcher have long disappeared. These have been replaced by employees ... (10) ... are known as education and events staff.
(adapted from the National Trust Magazine, no. 95, Spring 2002)
Task four **
Rewrite the phrases below with a reduced relative.
1. The bike which was tethered to a tree ...
2. The house which was in need of repair ...
3. The man who was driving too fast ...
4. Any company which hides its accounts ...
5. The article which discussed the use of nuclear power ...
Task five *
Rewrite the following sentences with a sentence relative.
1. He’s working very hard now and this is a good thing.
2. Jane’s finished her thesis and that’s amazing.
3. Jack’s working in Tokyo for two years. Then he’s hoping to go to Hong Kong.
4. The old lady died on her husband’s birthday. That’s sad!
5. The train was an hour late. This was not unusual.