Sentence Complexity and Embedding

Adjective Clauses

Activity 16.4: Understanding Relative Pronouns 2

Exercise A – Read each sentence and put an asterisk in front of the sentences that you consider ungrammatical.  Then consider if the sentence is also standard English usage.  If so, write standard in the space after the sentence.

1. Yesterday I saw a woman whom I knew. Standard
2. Yesterday I saw a woman who I knew.

3. Yesterday I called a man whom I worked for.
4. Yesterday I called a man who I worked for.
5. Yesterday I called a man for whom I worked. Standard
*6. Yesterday I called a man for who I worked.

7. Yesterday a player made derogatory statements which he was suspended for.
8. Yesterday a player made derogatory statements for which he was suspended. Standard

9. Insolence is a behavior which I won’t put up with. Standard
*10. Insolence is a behavior up with which I won’t put.
* 11. Insolence is a behavior with which I won’t put up.

Exercise B – Now review the sentences you marked as ungrammatical and try to identify the problems in each.

If a preposition is fronted along with a relative pronoun, the relative pronoun must be an object pronoun.

If a preposition is stranded at the end of a relative clause, the relative pronoun needn't be an object pronoun, but can be a subject pronoun.

Phrasal verb particles can't be fronted in a realtive clause. Only prepositions can be fronted.

Adjective Clause 1