Adjective Clauses - 5

Types of Adjective Clauses

More on Object Pattern Clauses

Like subject-pattern adjective clauses, object-pattern clauses also have some special characteristics:

1. Object Relative Pronouns: People

For people, who(m) or that can be used; both are common. However, whom is used mostly for very formal speaking or
writing. For other uses (including most speaking), who or that is used. The only difference between who in subject- and in object-pattern clauses is in word order:


That's the person who was talking to us. (subject pattern)
That's the person who we were talking to. (object pattern)

2. Object Relative Pronouns: Things

For things, that or which can be used; both are common:
Is this the book that / which you wanted?
When do I have to repay the money that / which I borrowed?

3. Omitting Relative Pronouns

In object-pattern adjective clauses, relative pronouns are often omitted, particularly in speaking:
That's the girl who(m) / that we were talking to.
That's the girl we were talking to.

The person who(m) / that we met at Martin's graduation called me.
The person we met at Martin's graduation called me.

Is this the phone that / which you wanted?
Is this the phone you wanted?

When do I have to repay the loan that / which I borrowed?
When do I have to repay the loan I borrowed?

4. Adjective Clauses as Objects of Prepositions: People

Relative pronouns for people can be the objects of prepositions. In this situation, the word order is different in formal and "casual" English. Also, only whom (not who or that) can be used to refer to people in the formal version:

The man is right over there. You were talking about the man.
formal: The man about whom you were talking is right over there.
"casual": The man who / that you were talking about is right over there. (or The man you were talking about is right over there.)
incorrect: The man about who you were talking is right over there.
incorrect: The man about that you were talking is right over there.

5. Adjective Clauses as Objects of Prepositions: Things

Relative pronouns for things can also be the objects of prepositions. In this situation, the word order is also different in formal and "everyday" English. Also, only which (not that) can be used to refer to things in the formal version:

The dress is rather expensive. He referred to the dress.
formal: The dress to which he referred is rather expensive.
"casual": The dress that / which he referred to is rather expensive. (or The dress he referred to is rather expensive.)
incorrect: The dress to that he referred is rather expensive.