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.
