GRAMMAR CLUB
The aim of this section is to give students good support in some grammar points so that they become aware of their correct use. More often than not, students feel insecure about which structures they should use or how to use them and this may lead them to formulate grammatically incorrect sentences. In most cases, such wrong sentences may even result in a breakdown in communication. Therefore, we hope that, by providing learners with useful tips illustrated with catchy sentences, they realize the importance of an adequate use of the system in order to achieve a mastery of the language.
CHOICE OF THE RELATIVE PRONOUN AS SUBJECT
TIVE PRONOUN AS SUBJECT AS SUBJECT
If the antecedent is personal, "who" is favoured, although "that" can be used as well.
We know a lot of people <who/that live in London>.
- If the antecedent is a coordinate NP (i.e., person + thing ),"that" is the only possibility.
The baby and the pram <that are over there> are at risk.
- "That" as Subject is preferred to "which" when the antecedent is non-personal pronoun such as ALL - ANYTHING - EVERYTHING - NOTHING - LITTLE - MUCH.
The Government has promised to do all <that lies in its power> to alleviate the hardships of those made homeless by the floods.
- When the antecedent is modified by a superlative, the relative pronoun as S is usually "that".
This is the funniest film <that has ever come from Pixar Studios>.
- When the antecedent is modified by ordinals, ONLY, NEXT, LAST, the relative pronoun is usually "that".
The first statement <that was offered by the press attaché> gave very few details.
- When the antecedent is the complement of "to be", “that” is preferred.
It's a book <that will be very popular>.
Prof.Trad.Valeria Virga