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.