Search results for 'tag:Relative pronouns tag:British English' matching tags 'Relative pronouns' and 'British English'

Re: (comma) that/which [American English]

Kooyeen — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:57:58 GMT

Teo wrote:

the longest river in China, that flows eastward from Tibet to the China Sea. It is also called the Yangtze.

In Standard British English, the above relative pronoun "that" should be replaced by "which".

What about American English usage?

Hi Teo,
very good question, I've always wondered about that too.
It seems that when we have a clause or sentence that "defines" the preceding sentence, we can use who (for people), which (for things), or that (for everything):
I saw the man who/that killed all those people.
I need an audio player which/that is able to read Real Media audio files.

But when we have a clause or sentence that kind of "comments" on the preceding sentence, as if it was put in parentheses, we can use who (for people), which (for things), and... and what? Like you, I've always wondered if "that" or something else was used as well.
The police were asking some people, who / that ??? / ... didn't care about the accident at all, by the way.
It's the longest river in China, which / that ??? / ... flows from Tibet tothe China Sea...

It would be good if I could use "that", I really don't like "which" much and I never use it in "restricting clauses".

(comma) that/which [American English]

Teo — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:21:33 GMT

In Longman Advanced American Dictionary (page 219), the definition of the Chang Jiang is as follows:

the longest river in China, that flows eastward from Tibet to the China Sea. It is also called the Yangtze.

In Standard British English, the above relative pronoun "that" should be replaced by "which".

What about American English usage?

Re: A multice-choice question

komountain — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 07:45:39 GMT

I sympathize with Jeff.

When I was learning English--that's decades ago--I read a grammar book delineating the same rule as Jeff brought up. As years passed, I realized that's a rather weird rule. I checked it with native speakers, they said in unison to the effect that I should forget the rule.
Ever since I haven't applied it. I don't know whether it is the rule still in effect in British English or in some dialects as CJ has pointed out. I believe that in American English, it's certainly an outdated rule.

As far as I understand, there is only one exceptional case where nominative relative pronouns (who/which/that) alone may be omitted: when there is an inserted clause within the relative clause. This was already discussed in this forum.

ex) Periodically we mail product and service information (which) [we feel] would interest you.
However, if you prefer not to receive such mail or phone calls, please let us know.

Re: English grammar

Nestor — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 15:51:49 GMT

I'll try to give a partial answer.

A relative clause is a portion of a sentence that adds information about a previous noun in the sentence. The previous noun is called the antecedent. Relative clauses are marked by relative pronouns: that, which, who, whom, and others. Examples will help:

1. The fish that I caught yesterday was huge. 'that I caught yesterday' is the relative clause, and 'The fish' is the antecedent.
2. This door, which opens to the kitchen, is heavy. 'which opens to the kitchen' is the relative clause, and 'The door' is the antecedent. In American English, you're supposed to use a comma before 'which'. I think British English is different.
3. The man who eats a lot is ordering lunch. 'who eats a lot' is the relative clause, and 'who' is the antecedent. Use 'who' when the antecedent is the subject of the clause.
4. The woman whom I love has been cheating on me. 'whom I love' is the relative clause, and 'whom' is the antecedent. Use 'whom' when the antecedent is the object of the clause.

Re: As or like?

Raul — Thu, 11 Sep 2003 15:56:29 GMT

When we talk about comparison between people, things or actions, we can use "as" or "like", depending on the structure.

"Like" is a preposition which should be followed by a noun or a pronoun.
Example: I'm not _like_ my brother.

"As" is a conjunction which should be followed by a clause (subject + verb).
Example: He's a doctor, _as_ his father was.

In informal American English (AmE), "like" is often used as a conjunction instead of "as".
The famous example: Nobody loves you _like_ I do, babe.

Although this usage is spreading in British English (BrE), it's still considered incorrect in formal style in both AmE and BrE.

In the example given:

> She likes the color as I do. ('like' is verb and 'as' a relative pronoun denoting 'color')

"As" is still a conjunction, not a relative pronoun. The sentence "I do" means "I like the color" referring I also find that color appealing.