Using Adjective Clauses
(#11):
Avoid these Mistakes!
Part
2
Adjective clauses are very
useful in both speaking and writing, but you should
be careful with them. We've already seen two errors
that are common when using adjective clauses.
Here are two more:
1. Don't use personal pronouns and relative pronouns to
refer to
the same word.
Relative pronouns are used
to make a connection to a noun phrase. The main
noun in the noun phrase can be a subject, object,
or possessive and it can be replaced by a subject,
object, or possessive pronoun. There are also
subject, object, and possessive forms for relative
pronouns. Don't connect to the main noun twice
by using both personal pronouns and relative
pronouns.
Examples
Bob is the person *who he
was talking to me at the baseball game. (wrong)
Bob is the person who was
talking to me at the baseball game. (right)
Bob is the person *who(m)
I was talking to
him at the baseball game. (wrong)
Bob is the person who(m) I
was talking to at the baseball game. (right)
Bob is the person to whom
I was talking at the baseball game. (right--formal)
Bob is the person *who his
brother was
pitching in the second inning. (wrong)
Bob is the person whose brother
was pitching in the second inning. (right)
________________________________________
2. Do not confuse whose
with who's
or with who he/she is.
Whose is a possessive relative pronoun.
Who's or who he/she
is
may have similar sounds, but they have very different
grammar and
meanings.
Examples
Judy is the one *who her car
was stolen last night. (wrong)
Judy is the one *who's car
was stolen last night. (wrong)
Judy is the one whose car
was stolen last night. (right)
No, I don't know anyone *who
his name is Jack Spencer. (wrong)
No, I don't know anyone *who's
name is Jack Spencer. (wrong)
No, I don't know anyone whose
name is Jack Spencer. (right)
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