Using Adjective Clauses - 10 Part 1:

Avoid these Mistakes -  Part 1

Because adjective (relative) clauses are very useful in giving descriptive information in both speaking and writing, they are something you will hear, see, and want to use in English. You should, however, be careful in using them. Be especially careful not to make these common mistakes:

1. Don't confuse who and whom.

The relative pronouns who and whom are often especially confusing for learners of English--particularly since who often replaces whom in non-formal speaking and writing.

Remember that in formal speaking and writing, who is for subjects and whom is for objects. Also remember that in non-formal speaking and writing, who can be used for whom, but whom cannot be used for who*.

Examples
James is the person who is talking. (correct)
James is the person whom is talking. (incorrect)
James is the person to whom we were listening. (correct--formal)
James is the person whom we were listening to. (correct--less formal)
James is the person who we were listening to. (correct--non-formal)

* Some people feel that whom "sounds better" than who because it is more formal. Remember that whom only sounds better if it is used correctly!!

2. Be careful with word order.

Word order is often a problem with adjective clauses if a sentence has other modifiers after the noun phrase that is being described.

Remember that in clear speaking and writing (especially in clear writing), the adjective clause comes just after the noun phrase that it modifies. It can be a problem, however, to know where to put the adjective clause and where to put other modifiers. It may, in fact, be
necessary to write sentences with adjective clauses and other modifiers (particularly more than one adjective clause) in a different way in order to make them clear.

Examples
Susan is the girl who has blond hair who is standing beside Ted. (confusing)
Susan is the girl who is standing beside Ted who has blond hair. (confusing)
Susan is the girl with blond hair who is standing beside Ted. (confusing)
Susan is the girl who is standing beside Ted with blond hair. (confusing)
Susan is the blond-haired girl who is standing beside Ted. (rewritten--and clear)

Arthur is a person who is in my class who(m) I like a lot. (confusing)
Arthur is a person who is in my class I like a lot. (confusing, awkward)
Arthur is a person who(m) I like a lot who is in my class. (confusing)
Arthur is a person I like a lot who is in my class. (confusing)
I like Arthur, who is in my class, a lot. (rewritten--and clear)

Kathy has two children whose names are Felix and David who are in junior high school. (confusing, awkward)
Kathy has two children who are in junior high school whose names are Felix and David . (confusing, awkward)
Kathy has two children, Felix and David , who are in junior high school. (rewritten--and clear)