●Grammar and usage

The grammar item in this unit will still deal with attributive clauses. You are first expected to learn about the attributive clause introduced by a preposition + which and a preposition + whom. You will also learn how to use attributive clauses introduced by the relative adverbs when, where and why.

Step 1: Prep.+ which & prep.+ whom

An attributive clause can be introduced by a prep.+ which/whom and let's see in what circumstances these two forms are used.

1. Point 1 on page 28

Point out the antecedents and their functions in the following two sentences.

We thought you were a person from whom we could expect good decisions. (The antecedent is a person. In the attributive clause it serves as the object of the preposition from.)

The money with which you were to buy dog food is gone. (The antecedent is the money. Its function in the attributive clause is the object of the preposition with.)

2. Point 2.

The Maths teacher is the person from whom I got an A plus.

Art is the subject about which I know little.

3. Points 3 and 4.

Dad is a person to whom I can easily talk.

Dad is a person whom/that/who I can easily talk to.

Dad is a person I can easily talk to.

Note: The preposition in the attributive clause must be used whether the relative pronouns are left out or not.

4. Point 5.

The sentences in Point 5 show us how to use the attributive clause to modify the antecedent way.

Now the ecercises in Parts A and B on page 29. For Part A, you should pay attention to the antecedent to see whether it refers to a person/people or sth./things. Complete each sentence according to its meaning.

Answers

A 1 c 2 d 3 b 4 a 5 e 6 h 7 f 8 g

B 1 which 2 which 3 about 4 from 5 from

Resources

You may want to know more about in what situation a prep.+ which/whom should be used and how to use a proper preposition. More sentences with attributive clauses introduced by a prep.+ which/whom can be used as examples.

*The pen with which I write my homework every day is broken, so I'll have to buy a new one. (with herecan't be omitted for we say, "I write my homework with the pen every day")

*Can you please give me some paper on which I can write a note? (I can write a note on the paper.)

*Do you know the woman with whom our teacher is talking? (Our teacher is talking with the woman.)

*Do you know the name of the girl about whom our teacher is talking? (Our teacher is talking about the girl.)

*The man from whom I bought the old picture is over eighty years old. (I bought the old picture from the man.)