Combining Sentences with Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns are essential tools for combining sentences in a concise and elegant way. They act like bridges, connecting two sentences by referring back to a noun in the first sentence.
Here's a breakdown of how to use them:
1. Identify the Noun to be Modified:
* Example: "The dog barked loudly. The dog was brown."
The noun to be modified is "dog".
2. Choose the Appropriate Relative Pronoun:
* Who/Whom: For people.
* Which: For things.
* That: For both people and things (more formal).
* Whose: For possession.
3. Use the Pronoun to Combine the Sentences:
* Example: "The dog, which was brown, barked loudly."
Additional Notes:
* Subject vs. Object: Use who for the subject of the relative clause and whom for the object.
* That vs. Which: "That" is generally preferred for restrictive clauses (essential information) while "which" is used for non-restrictive clauses (extra information).
* Commas: Use commas to set off non-restrictive clauses.
* Avoid Redundancy: Don't use a relative pronoun if the meaning is clear without it. For example, "The dog that barked loudly was brown."
Examples:
* Original Sentences: "The book was interesting. I borrowed it from the library."
* Combined Sentence: "The book that I borrowed from the library was interesting."
* Original Sentences: "The woman is a doctor. She lives next door."
* Combined Sentence: "The woman who lives next door is a doctor."
* Original Sentences: "The car was red. Its engine was powerful."
* Combined Sentence: "The car, whose engine was powerful, was red."
By using relative pronouns, you can make your writing more concise, elegant, and easier to read.