Relative clauses and relative pronouns.

RELATIVE CLAUSES

Defining: if we remove the relative clause the sentence doesn't usually make sense. We don't use any commas       This is the jumper I've bought.  We can omit the relative pronoun if it's not the subject:       I have eaten all the biscuits (that) you bought.  When, where and why can be omitted:       I remember the day (when) we went skiing. 

Non-defining: it gives us more information about someone or something. If we remove the relative clause it still makes sense. We cannot use that, why or what. We must use a comma or commas.          Mrs Evans, who is a pianist, is coming tonight.  We cannot omit where and when.        Farnborough, where I was born, is in       southeast England. 

RELATIVE PRONOUNS.

Who- people or animals (to give them a personality) Which- things or animals  When- to refer to time Where- to refer to a place or situation Why- to give a reason Whose- the possessive of who and which What- the thing(s) which. Only in defining clauses.  FORMAL. Whom- formal for who (basically used in writing) INFORMAL That- who, which, when, where, why. Only in defining  clauses.   

There are a lot of people who don't like bitter things. This is the cardigan which I got for Christmas. Can you remember the days when you had to walk to school?  Alaska is a place where it never gets dark from May to July.  And that's the reason why I wanted to go in bed early. There are children in the school whose parents are from abroad. I'll give you what I promised. That's the lawyer with whom you have to talk.  Charlie is the neighbour that I see the least.