RELATIVE CLOUSE

The English language has nine relative pronouns that perform a total of five grammatical functions. Relative pronouns are subordinating conjunctions that introduce relative clauses. The nine English relative pronouns are:

1. who
2. whom
3. that
4. which
5. Ø (null relative pronoun)
6. whose
7. when
8. where
9. why

The five grammatical functions of relative pronouns in English are:

1. Subject
2. Direct object
3. Prepositional complement
4. Possessive determiner
5. Adverbial

Both native speakers and ESL students must learn the five functions to fully and correctly use relative pronouns in spoken and written English.

Relative Pronouns as Subjects

The first grammatical function that relative pronouns can perform is the subject of a relative clause. A subject is defined as a word, phrase, or clause performs the action of or acts upon the verb. The three relative pronouns that can perform the function of subject of an adjective clause are:

• that
• who
• which

For example, the following italicized relative pronouns function as subjects:

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• My favorite flowers are the lilacs that belonged to my grandmother.
• The boy who kicked your sister is my little brother.
• The storm, which destroyed my shed, produced two inches of rain.

Relative Pronouns as Direct Objects

The second grammatical function that relative pronouns can perform is the direct object of a relative clause. A direct object is defined as a word, phrase, or clause that follows and receives the action of a transitive verb. The five relative pronouns that can perform the function of direct object of an adjective clause are:

• that
• whom
• which
• Ø
• who

For example, the following italicized relative pronouns function as direct objects:

• The book that you had borrowed is overdue.
• The man who my grandmother just scolded is my uncle.
• The women whom you met are my aunts.
• The tantrum Ø you threw embarrassed me.
• The problem, which the Provost announced yesterday, has been resolved.

Note that who can only function as the direct object in informal registers.

Relative Pronouns as Prepositional Complements

The third grammatical function that relative pronouns can perform is the prepositional complement of a preposition in a relative clause. A prepositional complement is defined as a word, phrase, or clause that directly follows a preposition to complete the meaning of the prepositional phrase. The five relative pronouns that can perform the function of prepositional complement in an adjective clause are:

• whom
• which
• Ø
• that
• who

For example, the following italicized relative pronouns function as prepositional complements:

• The house that we decided on is not a ranch style.
• Edward is the vampire who Bella pledged her love to.
• His boss is the idiot Ø he often complains about.
• My brother is the boy to whom you gave the candy.
• The databases to which the library subscribes are pricy.

Note that who, that, and Ø can only function as the prepositional complement in informal registers.

Relative Pronouns as Possessive Determiners

The fourth grammatical function that relative pronouns can perform is the possessive determiner of a noun phrase in a relative clause. A possessive determiner is defined as a word that indicates possession of or some other relationship to a noun phrase. The one relative pronoun that can perform the function of possessive determiner in an adjective clause is:

• whose

For example, the following italicized relative pronouns function as possessive determiners:

• You are someone whose help I appreciate.
• The kids whose parents are deadbeats had no lunches for the fieldtrip.
• I know the woman whose children went to school there.

Relative Pronouns as Adverbials

The first grammatical function that relative pronouns can perform is the adverbial within a relative clause. An adverbial is defined as a word, phrase, or clause that modifies an entire clause by providing additional information about condition, concession, manner, reason, result, place, or time. The three relative pronouns that can perform the function of adverbial within an adjective clause are:

• when
• where
• why

For example, the following italicized relative pronouns function as adverbials:

• The time when you threw me a surprise party was wonderful.
• The street where she lives has little traffic.
• A sick child was the reason why he had to leave early.

Relative pronouns that perform the function of adverbial are sometimes termed relative adverbs.

The five functions of relative pronouns in English are subject, direct object, prepositional complement, possessive determiner, and adverbial. Both native speakers and ESL students must learn the five functions in order to properly and fully use relative clauses in the English language in both spoken and written forms.

Sources

Hopper, Paul J. A Short Course in Grammar. W.W. Norton & Company: New York, 1999.

Huddleston, Rodney. Introduction to the Grammar of English. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1984.