Explanation
Exercises
Advanced Relative Clauses

Lesson focus

Preposition placement, whose, quantifiers, sentential which, formal relatives and complex reference

Advanced aim: Build precise reference chains with formal relatives, quantifier relatives and sentential reference.

Preposition + whom

In formal style, a preposition can come before whom in a relative clause referring to people.

  • Example: The consultant with whom we worked has joined another firm.
  • In another context: Follow-up case: The consultant with whom we worked has joined another firm.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Preposition + which

In formal style, place the preposition before which when referring to things.

  • Example: The framework within which the policy operates is extremely complex.
  • In another context: The framework within which the staffing policy operates is extremely complex.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Whose for things

Whose can refer to possession with both people and things.

  • Example: We examined several companies whose profits had fallen sharply.
  • In another context: Regional example: We examined several companies whose profits had fallen sharply.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Quantifier + whom

Use expressions such as many of whom, some of whom and none of whom in non-defining relatives about people.

  • Example: The course attracted thirty participants, many of whom worked in healthcare.
  • In another context: Separate scenario: The course attracted thirty participants, many of whom worked in healthcare.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Quantifier + which

Use some/most/all of which in non-defining relatives about things.

  • Example: The archive contains hundreds of letters, many of which have never been published.
  • In another context: Follow-up case: The archive contains hundreds of letters, many of which have never been published.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Sentential which

A non-defining which-clause can refer to the whole preceding situation.

  • Example: The deadline was extended again, which surprised almost everyone.
  • In another context: The renewal date was extended again, which surprised almost everyone.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Whereby

Whereby means by which and is common in formal descriptions of systems or arrangements.

  • Example: They introduced a scheme whereby employees could buy extra leave.
  • In another context: They introduced a scheme whereby consultants could buy extra leave.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Whichever

Whichever can introduce a fused relative meaning any one that / no matter which.

  • Example: Choose whichever option best fits your circumstances.
  • In another context: Separate scenario: Choose whichever option best fits your circumstances.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Whoever

Whoever can mean anyone who or no matter who, depending on context.

  • Example: Whoever approved this version should review the supporting data.
  • In another context: Whoever approved this version should review the supporting evidence.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

No relative pronoun after what

What already means the thing(s) that, so it is not followed by an additional noun antecedent.

  • Example: What concerns me most is the lack of independent oversight.
  • In another context: Alternative case study: What concerns me most is the lack of independent oversight.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

C1 takeaway

Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.

Exercises:
1
2
3

Preposition placement, whose, quantifiers, sentential which, formal relatives and complex reference

Practice 1 · Controlled production

Complete each gap using the stated cue. Read the whole context; some items accept more than one form.

1
Use a formal preposition-first relative:
The mentor I owe this opportunity has retired.
2
Use a preposition-first relative:
The principles the charter rests are unusually broad.
3
Supply the possessive relative:
We contacted a charity funding had unexpectedly ended.
4
Use WHOM to quantify people:
Twelve musicians auditioned, had studied abroad. Include MANY.
5
Use WHICH to quantify things:
The cache contained forty coins, were badly corroded. Include MOST.
6
Refer to the whole previous event:
The hearing was broadcast live, surprised the witness.
7
Use WHEREBY in a transformation: The museum introduced a scheme by which residents could borrow prints.
The museum introduced a scheme .
8
Use WHICHEVER in a restricted choice: Choose any one of these three routes that suits you.
Choose you.
9
Use WHOEVER: Anyone who first notices smoke should raise the alarm.
should raise the alarm.
10
Use WHAT: The thing that worries me is the missing safety certificate.
is the missing safety certificate.

Preposition placement, whose, quantifiers, sentential which, formal relatives and complex reference

Practice 2 · Contextual choice

Choose the option that best fits the stated meaning, viewpoint or register.

1
Choose formal preposition-first reference to a person:
The conservator we consulted has moved away.
2
Keep the preposition required by depends:
The material the estimate depends is incomplete.
3
Express an organisation's possession:
We visited the company founder designed the instrument.
4
Refer to members of a group of people:
Five witnesses testified, contradicted the original timeline.
5
Refer to members of a set of objects:
The museum bought six sketches, were unsigned.
6
Comment on the preceding event as a whole:
He withdrew his objection, allowed the vote to proceed.
7
Name a mechanism in formal prose:
They established a process complaints could be reviewed independently.
8
Emphasise choice from this stated set:
Take of the two adapters fits the socket.
9
Make the relative pronoun subject of signed:
signed this form should initial the correction.
10
Use a fused relative without a separate noun antecedent:
matters more than what she included.

Preposition placement, whose, quantifiers, sentential which, formal relatives and complex reference

Practice 3 · C1 challenge

Choose the interpretation or analysis that best fits the example.

1
“The tenants, who have paid, may enter.” What does punctuation suggest?
2
A guide describes three routes: “The trail which runs along the cliff is closed.” What would removing the relative clause lose?
3
“The server failed, which delayed registration.” What is which's antecedent?
4
Can whose refer to a bridge in “a bridge whose foundations shifted”?
5
“The person to whom I wrote” compared with “the person I wrote to” chiefly differs in what?
6
“Whoever you appoint will need training.” Who is whoever inside appoint's clause?
7
“Give it to whoever needs it.” Why does to not force whomever here?
8
“What I need is time.” Why is no noun antecedent required?
9
“A system whereby fees are refunded” describes what relationship?
10
“Choose whatever colour you like” versus “whichever colour you like.” What can whichever suggest?