RELATIVE CLAUSE

1) DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

Refer to the clauses that give the information that tell you which nouns the speaker is talking about.

Who—for people as subject or object:

Example:

- The candidate who was chosen comes from Siem Reap.

- The candidate who we chose comes from Siem Reap.

Whom—for people as object:

Example: The candidate whom I selected is very great.

Which—for things and animals as subject and object:

Example:

- The school which is called NIS is very famous in Kampong Speu.

- The school which I study is very famous in Kampong Speu.

That—for people, things, animals as subject and object:

Example: The computer that broke down is Mr. Ratha’s.

Where—for places:

Example: I want to live in USA where many people always dream about.

Whose—for people, things, animals, places as possessive:

Example: I know the man whose son was killed last night.

Remember:

- Whom is mainly used in formal written English and who is more common in conversation when they are the object of the verb.

- Who, that, which can be omitted when they are the object of the verb.

2) NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

Refer to the clauses that give extra information about nouns the speaker refers to.

Who—for people as subject or object:

Example:

- The candidate, who was chosen, comes from Siem Reap.

- The candidate, who we chose, comes from Siem Reap.

Whom—for people as object:

Example: The candidate, whom I selected, is very great.

Which—for things and animals as subject and object:

Example:

- The school, which is called NIS, is very famous in Kampong Speu.

- The school, which I study, is very famous in Kampong Speu.

Where—for places:

Example: I want to live in USA, where many people always dream about.

Whose—for people, things, animals, places as possessive:

Example: I know Mr. Sokha, whose son was killed last night.

Remember:

- Whom is mainly used in formal written English and who is more common in conversation when they are the object of the verb.

- That cannot be used in a non-defining relative clause.

- Who, which cannot be omitted when they are the object of the verb.

- Commas are use to separate the relative clause.