6.3.1 Word Classes,6.3.2 Clauses Notes, Quizzes & Revision
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6.3 Grammar in Use
Subtopics: 6.3.1 Word Classes | 6.3.2 Clauses
Specific learning outcomes
- a) Pick out relative pronouns, relative clauses, and adverbial clauses from a text.
- b) Demonstrate appropriate usage of relative pronouns in sentences.
- c) Form relative clauses introduced by: who, whom, that, which, whose, and the zero relative pronoun.
- d) Use adverbial clauses of place, time and reason to express meaning.
- e) Advocate the correct use of relative clauses and adverbial clauses in sentences.
- f) Identify relative pronouns, relative clauses, and adverbial clauses (time/place/reason) as categories of word classes and clauses.
6.3.1 Word Classes β Relative pronouns
Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses. They link extra information to a noun (the antecedent).
Common relative pronouns
- who β people (subject): The teacher who helped me is kind.
- whom β people (object, formal): The student whom I met is from Eldoret.
- which β things/animals: The book which I borrowed is interesting.
- that β people or things (mainly in defining clauses): The car that was stolen is green.
- whose β possession: The farmer whose tea won the prize smiled.
- Γ (zero relative pronoun) β omitted when the pronoun would be the object in a defining clause: The song I heard was catchy.
When to use commas
- Defining (restrictive) relative clauses: no commas; they give essential information. Example: "Students who study pass exams."
- Non-defining (non-restrictive): use commas; they add extra info. Example: "Nairobi, which is Kenya's capital, is busy."
Tips and common corrections
- Use who/whom for people; which for things; that for either in defining clauses.
- Whom is formalβmany speakers say who in conversation. Teach both forms; use whom in formal writing.
- The zero relative is common in spoken and written English: "The man I saw was tall." (object omitted).
- Don't use commas with defining clauses: "The student who studied passed." (correct) not "The student, who studied, passed." (changes meaning).
6.3.2 Clauses β Relative clauses and Adverbial clauses
Relative clause: gives more information about a noun and usually starts with a relative pronoun (who, which, that, whose, whom, Γ).
Examples (Kenyan context)
- Defining: "The teacher who teaches Biology is from Kisumu."
- Non-defining: "Mr. Mwangi, who is our principal, will visit the county office."
- Zero relative: "The photos I took at Maasai Mara are on my phone."
Adverbial clauses modify verbs and tell when, where, or why something happened.
Time (when)
Subordinators: when, while, after, before, as soon as, since
Example: "When school closes, students head home." / "Students head home when school closes."
Place (where)
Subordinators: where, wherever
Example: "We will meet where the stage is set at the stadium."
Reason (because)
Subordinators: because, since, as
Example: "The match was postponed because it rained heavily."
Punctuation rules (short)
- Start with an adverbial clause: use a comma after it. ("Because it rained, the trip was cancelled.")
- Adverbial clause placed at the end: usually no comma. ("The trip was cancelled because it rained.")
- Non-defining relative clauses: use commas. ("Karen, who studies law, won the debate.")
Class activities (age 15, Kenyan context)
- Identify β Read this short paragraph and underline relative pronouns, circle relative clauses, and highlight adverbial clauses.
"The cyclist who won the race is from Nakuru. He celebrated after the final lap because he had trained hard. The stadium where the race finished was full of supporters."
- Combine sentences β Use a relative pronoun or a zero relative pronoun:
- a) The girl is my cousin. She sings beautifully. β The girl who sings beautifully is my cousin.
- b) I bought a matatu. The matatu leaves early. β The matatu that leaves early is full.
- c) I read the story. You recommended the story. β The story (that/Γ) you recommended was inspiring.
- Create adverbial clauses β Turn these short ideas into full sentences:
- a) (time) After the assembly β e.g. "After the assembly ended, the choir practised."
- b) (place) Where the river meets the road β e.g. "We set up camp where the river meets the road."
- c) (reason) Because the road was flooded β e.g. "Because the road was flooded, we took another route."
- Peer advocacy β In pairs, check each other's sentences and suggest corrections, then present one corrected sentence and explain the rule (outcome e).
Practice exercises (with answers)
Exercise A β Identify (underline relative pronoun; label clause type)
- The driver who waved to us lives in Kisumu. β who (relative pronoun); relative clause (defining).
- I met the pupils whom the teacher praised. β whom (relative pronoun); relative clause (defining).
- Nakuru, which hosts many events, is growing fast. β which (relative pronoun); relative clause (non-defining).
- The books ___ you borrowed are on the table. (that / which / Γ) β Answer: Γ or that (zero is common): "The books you borrowed..."
- The woman ___ car was stolen reported to the police. (whose / who's) β Answer: whose
- The museum ___ is new opened on Monday. (which / that) β Answer: which (non-defining could need commas) or that if defining. Better: "The museum that is new..."
- They cheered when the team scored. β time
- We stayed where there was shade. β place
- The match stopped because it got dark. β reason
Answers (quick)
- A1: who β defining. A2: whom β defining. A3: which β non-defining.
- B1: Γ or that; B2: whose; B3: that (defining) or which (with commas for non-defining).
- C1: time; C2: place; C3: reason.
Assessment ideas
- Short written test: identify and correct 8 sentences (mix of relative and adverbial clauses).
- Oral activity: students explain why they chose a particular relative pronoun in pairs (speaks to advocacy outcome e).
- Homework: write a short paragraph (120β150 words) about a day trip to a Kenyan landmark using at least three relative clauses and two adverbial clauses (time/place/reason).
Teaching tips (for Kenyan classrooms)
- Use local examples (Nairobi, Mombasa, tea farms in Kericho, Maasai Mara) to make sentences meaningful.
- Encourage students to spot clauses in newspapers, radio transcripts, and exam past papers.
- Show the difference in meaning between defining and non-defining clauses with simple pair sentences β ask which sentence gives essential information.
- Promote correct usage by peer review: learners explain corrections to each otherβthis builds confidence to advocate rules.
Quick reference (one-line rules):
- Who (subject, people) β "The mother who arrived..."
- Whom (object, people, formal) β "The man whom I saw..."
- Which (things) β "The phone which rang..."
- That (defining, people or things) β "The house that Jack built."
- Whose (possession) β "A boy whose bike was stolen."
- Zero relative β omit when the relative is the object: "The song I sang."
- Adverbial clauses β time (when), place (where), reason (because).
Prepared for Form 3 learners (age ~15) β focus on recognition, correct formation, and practical use of relative and adverbial clauses in English.