Relative clauses Chuyên đề Tiếng Anh: MỘT SỐ PHƯƠNG PHÁP VÀ KINH NGHIỆM DẠY MỆNH ĐỀ QUAN HỆ (SOME METHODS AND EXPERIENCE IN TEACHING RELATIVE CLAUSES) Tác giả: Ninh Thị Khánh Nguyệt Giáo viên trường: THPT Quang Hà Đối tượng bồi dưỡng: Học sinh lớp 12 Số tiết dự kiến: 08 tiết Bình Xuyên, năm 2015 Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses PREFACE Nowadays, English is more and more important, especially since Vietnam has opened the economic and integrated to the world Therefore, learning English is very necessary for all Vietnamese students It is not only the compulsory subject at school but also an important device for school boys and girls to join in the world with confidence In fact, the parents tend to provide their children with a good English background knowledge It is quite understandable However, the interest of learning English is not the same for each student For students at my school, many of them find English very difficult to adapt and feel unconfident when each exam comes Therefore, as a teacher of English I always try to design attractive lessons and activities to get more attention and develop interest in learning English among students From my point of view, it is needed that students should have a thorough understanding of grammar while practicing every English skills and taking the exams During a period of seven years in my teaching job, I’ve realized that relative clauses is one of important grammatical units which have presented in the national exams for GCSE Only by having a particular grasp of relative clauses can the students relative clauses exercises well So, I would like to share “Some methods and experience in teaching relative clauses” with the hope that we can exchange and discuss to get a better major applied effectively in our teaching careers Looking forward to getting responds from all of you Thanks a lot! Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses CONTENT In this writing, there are four parts: Part 1: A summary of relative clauses Part 2: Some popular types of exercises and suggestions Part 3: Exercises and suggested answers Part 4: Exercises for self-study PART 1: A SUMMARY OF RELATIVE CLAUSES I Definition: A relative clause is a kind of subordinate clause that generally modifies a noun or noun phrase and is introduced by a relative pronoun (which, that, who, whom, whose), a relative adverb (where, when, why), or a zero relative It is also known as an adjective clause A relative clause is a post modifier and it follows the noun or noun phrase it modifies Example: The person who phoned me last night is my teacher Relative clause II Uses of relative pronouns and relative adverbs in relative clauses: Look at the table below that sums up the use of relative pronouns and relative adverbs: Function in the People Things/ Reference to Place Time Explanation concepts sentence Subject Object who, that that, who, which, that which, that where Possessive whom whose whose, of when why which Who: Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses We use who in relative clauses to refer to people We use it to introduce defining and non-defining relative clauses Ex: - I think there’d be a lot of children who would love to have a climbing wall in school (defining) - My uncle, who was born in Hong Kong, lived most of his life overseas (nondefining) Whom: We use whom in formal styles or in writing to refer to people when the person is the object of the verb It is much more common in writing than in speaking Ex: - The response of those managers whom I have consulted has been very positive and we are looking forward to meeting together - She was a celebrated actress whom he had known and loved since her first appearance on the stage Which We use which in relative clauses to refer to animals and to things We use it to introduce defining and non-defining relative clauses We also use which to introduce relative clauses when they refer to a whole sentence or clause: Ex: - You need to tick the box which says yes (defining) - This cat, which I recently bought, is a tri-colored cat (non-defining) - She had to get up and walk all the way to the other side of the room, which isn’t easy with a bad back (which refers to the whole sentence before it) That We use that instead of who, whom or which in relative clauses to refer to people, animals and things We use it to introduce defining clauses only That is more informal than who, whom or which Ex: Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses - We met somebody last night that did the speech therapy course two years after you (refers to a person) - The 8.30 is the train that you need to get (refers to a thing) - She blamed herself for everything that had happened Whose We usually use whose as a relative pronoun to indicate possession by people and animals In more formal styles we can also use it for things We use whose before nouns instead of a possessive expression (my, your, his, her, its, our, their, X’s) in defining and non-defining clauses Ex: - He’s marrying a girl whose family don’t seem to like him (The family of the girl he’s marrying don’t seem to like him.) - There was me and there was Kate, whose party it was, and then there were two other people (It was Kate’s party.) - It is a house, whose sitting room looks out over a wonderful garden (The sitting room of the house looks out over a wonderful garden.) Where = in/ on/ at which The relative adverb where is used after nouns that refer to places Ex: - The house where/ in which Mozart was born is now a museum (defining relative clause) - I flew to Munich, where/ in which I had to catch another plane to Oslo (nondefining relative clause) When = in/ on/ at which The relative adverb when is used after nouns that refer to times and dates Ex: Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses - I can't remember the time when/ at which I was so happy (defining relative clause) - The most stressful day of the week is Monday, when/ on which people go back to work (non-defining relative clause) Why = for which The relative adverb why is used after reason Ex: - The reason why/ for which I didn't call you is that I've lost your phone number (only in defining relative clauses) Some notes: * We use that to refer to the noun phrases containing person and things, indefinite pronouns nothing, everything, something, anything…, after all, little, much, none and after the superlative comparison Ex: - We can saw farmers and cattles that are going to the field - He just said anything that came into his head - These walls are all that remain of the city - My mother is one of the kindest people that I know * In defining relative clause, the relative pronouns used as objects (who, whom, which, that) can be omitted Ex: - The boy we are looking for is Tom Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses - The cat I recently bought is a tri-colored cat * We can use of which to indicate possession by things Ex: He has written a book whose name I have forgot = He has written a book the name of which I have forgot III Kinds of relative clauses: There are two kinds of relative clauses: defining relative clause and nondefining relative clause Defining Relative Clauses Defining relative clauses (also called identifying relative clauses or restrictive relative clauses) give detailed information defining a general term or expression or provide essential information about the noun to which they refer If they were left out, the sentence would not make sense Defining relative clauses are not put in commas Ex: Do you know the girl who is talking to Tom? - Defining relative clauses are used when nouns or noun phrases they refer to are: + The + noun + a/ an + noun + Plural nouns without the + Pronouns: all, those, none, anybody, … - Defining relative clauses are often used in definitions Ex: A seaman is someone who works on a ship Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses - Object pronouns in defining relative clauses can be dropped Ex: The boy (who/whom) we met yesterday is very nice Non-Defining Relative Clauses Non-defining relative clauses (also called non-identifying relative clauses or non-restrictive relative clauses) give additional information on something, but not define it If they were left out, the sentence would still make perfect sense Non-defining relative clauses are put in commas Ex: Do you know that girl, who is talking to Tom? - Non- defining relative clauses are used when nouns or noun phrases they refer to are: + Proper nouns + Nouns with this, that, these, those + Nouns with possessive adjectives my, her, his, Lan’s, … + Nouns for the unique things such as: The Sun, the Moon, the Earth, … - In non-defining relative clauses, who/which may not be replaced by that - Object pronouns in non-defining relative clauses must be used Ex: Jim, who/whom we met yesterday, is very nice - In non-defining relative clauses, which can be used to refer to the whole sentence Ex: It rained all night, which was good for the garden IV Prepositions in relative clauses There are often prepositions in relative clauses, and a relative pronoun is the object of that preposition Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses In everyday English, the preposition is normally placed at the end of the relative clause and the pronoun may be included or omitted Ex: The picture (that/ which) she was looking at was famous In formal English, the preposition is placed before the relative pronoun, and in this case the pronoun cannot be omitted Ex: Mr Pike, to whom I spoke on the phone last night, is very interested in our plan In non-defining relative clauses, the expressions of quantity all of, most of, neither of, many of,… can be used with whom, which and whose Ex: - Two women, neither of whom I had never seen before, came into my flat - The baby has a Teddy bear, both of whose eyes were missing Some notes: - Preposition can’t be used before that and who Ex: The girl who we are talking about is my boss’s daughter ( NOT: The girl about who we are talking about is my boss’s daughter.) - For phrasal verbs, prepositions can’t be used before whom and which Ex: Did you find the word which/ that you were looking up ( NOT: Did you find the word up which you are looking.) - Without can’t be used after verbs Ex: The woman without whom I can’t live is Ann (NOT: The woman whom I can’t live without is Ann.) V Reduced form of relative clauses Relative clauses can be reduced by using participle phrases, noun phrases or infinitive phrases Participle phrases: Relative clauses can be reduced by using present participle (V-ing) and past participle (V-ed/ V3) a Present participle (V-ing) is used when: - Verbs in relative clauses in continuous tenses Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 10 Ex: The boy who is playing football with me is my cousin →The boy playing football with me is my cousin - Verbs in relative clauses express the actions happening regularly and continually Ex: The boys and girls who attend this school have to wear uniform → The boys and girls attending this school have to wear uniform - Verbs in relative clauses refer to hope, wishes or expectations… Ex: Fans who hope to meet their idol have been waiting for two hours → Fans hoping to meet their idol have been waiting for two hours - We don’t use present participle for simple action in the past Ex: The police wanted to interview the people who saw the accident (NOT: The police wanted to interview the people seeing the accident.) b Past participle is used when verbs in relative clauses in passive form Ex: Some of the people who have been invited to the party can’t come → Some of the people invited to the party can’t come Noun phrases Non-defining relative clause can be reduced by noun phrases Ex: George Washington, who was the first president of the United States, was a general in the army → George Washington, the first president of the United States, was a general in the army Infinitive phrases Defining relative clauses can be reduced by infinitive phrases (To-V or for + O + to-V) To-V can be used: - After first, second,… last, next, only and superlatives Ex: - Minh was the last student who left the classroom → Minh was the last student to leave the classroom - The guest on our show today is the youngest golfer who won the Open → The guest on our show today is the youngest golfer to win the Open Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 11 - When expressing purpose and permission Ex: Here is the form that you must fill in → Here is the form for you to fill in - Note: When verbs in relative clause in passive form, we use to be PII Ex: Tom was the last person who was interviewed for the vacancy → Tom was the last person to be interviewed for the vacancy PART 2: SOME TYPES OF RELATIVE CLAUSES EXERCISES I Put in relative pronouns or relative adverbs to complete the sentences For this type of exercise, students need: - Determine the referred phrase: person or things - Determine the function of relative pronouns or adverbs: subject, object, or possession,… and choose a suitable pronoun or adverb II Combine the two sentences using a relative pronoun or relative adverb For this type of exercise, students need: - Determine main clause and subordinate clause - Find the two words or phrases in two sentences which have the same meaning - Determine the function of the word or phrases - Choose a suitable pronouns or adverb to combine the two sentences III Reduced relative clauses exercises For this type of exercise, students need: - Determine relative clause - Choose present participle (V-ing), past participle (V-ed/ V3), noun phrases, or infinitive phrases (To-V, for Obj to-V or tobe PII) to reduce relative clause IV Find and correct the mistakes Find the mistakes about relative clauses They may be: - Use wrong kind of relative pronouns or relative adverbs - Verbs after relative clauses in incorrect form - Preposition in relative clauses is placed at unsuitable position - Make mistake when reducing relative clauses Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 12 Students need to look carefully the sentences, find the mistakes and correct them V Multiple choice exercises For this kind of exercise, students can apply above methods flexibly PART 3: SOME EXERCISES AND SUGGESTED ANSWERS Ex 1: (Textbook English 12 – page 70) Add who, whoever, whose, whom, or which to complete the following sentences There is one person ……… I owe more than I can say It was the kind of accident for ……… nobody was really to blame ………… leaves last should turn off the light Mary was late yesterday, ……… was unusual for her At 6.00 pm, ………… was an hour before the plane was due, thick fog descended I don’t know ………… told you that, but they were wrong Mrs Brown was the first owner ………… dog won three prizes in the same show I’ve just spoken to Sally, ………… sends you her love On Sunday, ……… was my birthday, we went out for a meal 10 The success of a shared holiday depends on …………… you share with it Suggested answers: 1.whom 6.who which 7.whose Whoever 8.who which 9.which which 10.whom Ex 2: (Textbook English 12 – page 70) Join the following sentences in two ways I read a book It was written by a friend of mine ………………………………………………………………………………… Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 13 ……………………………………………………… ……………………… A man got on the bus He was carrying a lot of money in a box ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… In the street there were several people They were waiting for the shop to open ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… Britain imports many cars They were made in Japan ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… There are a lot of people in your office They want to talk to you ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… The cowboy fell off the horse He had been wounded by an arrow ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… Most of the people recovered quickly They were injured in the crash ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… John looked anxiously at his watch He wished he hadn’t come to the party ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… The children were playing football in the schoolyard They were my students ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… 10.Vietnam exports a lot of rice It is grown mainly in the South of the country Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 14 ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… Suggested answers: I read a book that was written by a friend of mine - I read a book written by a friend of mine A man who was carrying a lot of money in a box got on the bus - A man carrying a lot of money in a box got on the bus In the street there were several people who were waiting for the shop to open - In the street there were several people waiting for the shop to open Britain imports many cars which that were made in Japan - Britain imports many cars made in Japan There are a lot of people in your office who want to talk to you - There are a lot of people in your office wanting to talk to you The cowboy who had been wounded by an arrow fell off his horse - The cowboy wounded by an arrow fell off ms horse Most of the people who were injured in the crash recovered quickly - Most of the people injured in the crash recovered quickly John, who wished he hadn't come to the party, looked anxiously at his watch - John, wishing he hadn't come to the party, looked anxiously at his watch The children who were playing football in the schoolyard were my students - The children playing football in the schoolyard were my students 10 Vietnam exports a lot of rice which is grown mainly in the south of the country - Vietnam exports a lot of rice grown mainly in the south of the country Ex 3: Reduced relative clauses using V- ing, V-ed/ V3 or To V There is someone who is knocking at the door …………………………………………………………………………………… Passengers who travel on planes shouldn’t smoke …………………………………………………………………………………… Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 15 The photographs which were taken by my son were extraordinary …………………………………………………………………………………… What can you about a dog which is barking all night? …………………………………………………………………………………… Is there any good place where we can stay tonight? …………………………………………………………………………………… We have an apartment which over looks the park …………………………………………………………………………………… The last person who leaves the room must turn off the light …………………………………………………………………………………… Trains which leave from this station take an hour to get to London …………………………………………………………………………………… The experiment which was conducted at the university of Chicago was successful …………………………………………………………………………………… 10 The ideas that are presented in that book are interesting …………………………………………………………………………………… 11 Do you know the woman who is coming toward us ? …………………………………………………………………………………… 12 The people who was waiting for the bus in the rain are getting wet …………………………………………………………………………………… 13 She has a novel that she can read on her holiday …………………………………………………………………………………… 14 The house which has the green shutters is for sale …………………………………………………………………………………… 15 He was the first man who left the burning building …………………………………………………………………………………… Suggested answer: There is someone knocking at the door Passengers traveling on planes shouldn’t smoke Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 16 The photographs taken by my son were extraordinary What can you about a dog barking all night? Is there any good place for us to stay tonight? We have an apartment overlooking the park The last person to leave the room must turn off the light Trains leaving from this station take an hour to get to London The experiment conducted at the university of Chicago was successful 10 The ideas presented in that book are interesting 11 Do you know the woman coming toward us ? 12 The people waiting for the bus in the rain are getting wet 13 She has a novel that to read on her holiday 14 The house having the green shutters is for sale 15 He was the first man who left the burning building Ex 4: Find and correct mistake in each sentence if necessary Peter, whom visited us yesterday , has just graduated from university Miss Huong, that is staying with us, often goes to school by bike New York, where we celebrated our party, is pretty cold in winter Linh, which we met yesterday, is pretty Do you know the students to who the teacher is talking? Do you know the students to whom the teacher is talking to? My sister, whom you met last week, has already gone to abroad I can’t find my diary, what is a real nuisance A night is the time of the day which it is dark outside 10 A dictionary is a book where gives you the meanings of words 11 Peter knows the family who’s house is for rent 12 Ann is always late for class which makes the teacher angry 13 This car which was broken down last night is quite expensive 14 That’s the house where was built in 2005 15 Pele, of whom I respect most is the most famous football player all the time Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 17 Suggested answer: whom → who which → when that → who 10 where → which √ 11 who’s → whose which → who 12 which → , which who → whom 13 which → , which to → Φ 14 where → which √ 15 √ what → which Ex 5: Make the best choice We are using books _ were printed last year A what B who C which D whose The painting _Ms Wallace bought was very expensive A whom B whose C which D where The homeless people _story appeared in the paper last week have now fou nd a place to live A who B whom C that D whose is your favourite sport, swimming or running? A What B Which C Whom D Whose Were the Wright brothers the ones built the first aeroplane? A which B whom C whose D that I don't like stories have unhappy endings A where B which C they D who The periodic table contains all the elements, has a particular atomi c weight and atomic number A which of each B each of which C which each D each Ansel Adams was a landscape photographer photographs of the we stern United States show nature on a grand scale A whose B of whom C of his D his Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 18 Jan didn't check she had enough petrol before she left, was careles s of her A what B it C that D which 10 This is a town many people live A in which B which C at which D on which 11 She, is your sister, lives far away A which B who C whom D she 12.We are talking about the girl who used to be a Miss World A The girl about whom we are talking used to be a Miss World B We hardly know a girl who used to be a Miss World C The girl who used to be a Miss World said that she knew you D We know the girl who used to be a Miss World 13.He told her about the book He liked it best A He told her about the book which he liked it best B He told her about the book which he liked best C He told her about the book whom he liked best D He told her about the book whose he liked best 14.The old man is working in this factory I borrowed his bicycle yesterday A The old man is working in this factory which I borrowed his bicycle yest erday B The old man whom is working in this factory I borrowed his bicycle yest erday C The old man whom I borrowed his bicycle yesterday is working in this f actory D The old man whose bicycle I borrowed yesterday is working in this fact ory 15.This is my opinion You can nothing to change it A You can nothing to change it my mind B There’s nothing you can to change my mind C There’s nothing can be done except changing my mind Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 19 D You can everything to change it my mind 16.The man is my teacher I am grateful to him A The man whom I grateful to him is my teacher B The man is my teacher who I am grateful C The man whom I am grateful to is my teacher D The man to him I am grateful is my teacher 17.Ngoc is friendly We are talking about her A Ngoc, we are talking about, is friendly B Ngoc, about her we are talking, is friendly C Ngoc, whom we are talking about is friendly D Ngoc, about whom we are talking, is friendly 18.A pilot is a person who flies an aircraft A A person who called a pilot flies an aircraft B A person that flies an aircraft is called a pilot C A pilot is someone who flies an aircraft D Both B and C are correct 19.That is the student I borrowed his book last week A That is the student I borrowed whose book last week B That is the student, whose book I borrowed last week C The student whose book I borrowed that is D That is the student whose book I borrowed last week 20.We like the computer We bought it yesterday A We like the computer which we bought it yesterday B We like the computer we bought yesterday C We like the computer we bought which yesterday D The computer we like we bought yesterday Suggested answer: C C D B B B A D 11 B 12 A 13 B 14 D 16 C 17 D 18 D 19 D Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses D 20 10 A 15 B 20 B PART 4: SOME EXERCISES FOR SELF- STUDY Ex 1: Combine sentences using: where, where, when or which 15th July is the day I was born on that day …………………………………………………………………………………… This is the house The house has a big garden …………………………………………………………………………………… This is the house I was born in the house …………………………………………………………………………………… May Day is the day People hold a meeting on that day …………………………………………………………………………………… Ha Noi is the place I’d like to come to Ha Noi …………………………………………………………………………………… Summer is the time The weather is very hot then …………………………………………………………………………………… I don’t like summer It’s often hot then …………………………………………………………………………………… The bed was comfortable I slept in it last night …………………………………………………………………………………… I never forget the park We met each other for the first time at this park …………………………………………………………………………………… 10 I not know the reason She left school for it …………………………………………………………………………………… Ex 2: Choose the underlined part among A, B, C or D that needs correcting Every student who majors in English are ready to participate in the orchard A B C D contest Do you know the reason when English men travel to the left? Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 21 A B C D She is the most beautiful woman whose I have ever met A B C D Mother’s Day is the day when children show their love to their mother on A B C D The New Year Day is the day where all my family members gather A B C and enjoy it together D It is complicated because pollution is caused by things when benefit people A B C D The policeman must try to catch those men whom drive dangerously A B C D He was very surprised when he visited London, in that the drivers A B C always drive on the right hand side of the street D That is the man who he told me the bad news A B C D 10 I don’t know the reason on when Jonathan was sacked A B C D 11 The singer about who I told you yesterday is coming here tomorrow A B C D 12 The man whom helped you yesterday is a television reporter A B C D 13 What is the name of the girl whom has just come in? A B C D 14 Do you know the reason when Englishmen travel on the left side of the streets? A B C D Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 22 15 If you want a particular book, the person to see is the librarian she is A B C D wearing glasses Ex 3: Combine sentence using: preposition + whom/which The movie was interesting We went to it …………………………………………………………………………………… I couldn’t understand the woman I talked to her on the phone …………………………………………………………………………………… I want to tell you about the party I went to it last night …………………………………………………………………………………… The music was gentle We listened to it last night …………………………………………………………………………………… Alice likes the foreign family She is living with them …………………………………………………………………………………… The market has refresh vegetables I usually go to it …………………………………………………………………………………… The man is over there I told you about him …………………………………………………………………………………… The film is fantastic They are talking about it …………………………………………………………………………………… She’s the nurse We gave the flowers to her …………………………………………………………………………………… 10 We are speaking to the man The man was our new history teacher …………………………………………………………………………………… Ex 4: Complete the following sentences by adding a relative clause I can’t remember the name of the village …………………………………… Mary couldn’t come to my wedding party, …………………………………… 1890 is the year ……………………………………………………………… Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 23 The professor whose course I’m taking ……………………………………… She can’t explain for the reason ……………………………………………… The old man wants to go back to the school………………………………… This is a photograph of our friends …………………………………………… Thank you very much for your letter ………………………………………… Mrs Smith is the most generous woman ……………………………………… 10 A carpenter is someone …………………………………………………… REFERENCES Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses 24 AdrianDoff, Teach English – Cambridge University Press in asociation with The BritishCouncil A Practical English Grammar - A.J Thomson - A.V Martinet DwaftVersion- English Language Teacher Training Project Tiếng Anh 11: Hoàng Văn Vân , NXB Giáo Dục Giải thích ngữ pháp Tiếng Anh – Mai Lan Hương, Hà Thanh Uyên Oxford Practice Grammar -John Eastwood Internet Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet ... of relative clauses: defining relative clause and nondefining relative clause Defining Relative Clauses Defining relative clauses (also called identifying relative clauses or restrictive relative. .. Non-Defining Relative Clauses Non-defining relative clauses (also called non-identifying relative clauses or non-restrictive relative clauses) give additional information on something, but not define... why which Who: Ninh Thi Khanh Nguyet Relative clauses We use who in relative clauses to refer to people We use it to introduce defining and non-defining relative clauses Ex: - I think there’d be