Relative Clauses 2
Clauses with and without who/that/which · Subject vs Object · Prepositions — Complete Guide
Propositions Relatives 2
Avec et sans who/that/which · Sujet vs Objet · Prépositions — Guide Complet
When is who/that/which obligatory? When can it be omitted? Where do prepositions go? Master the rules of relative clauses step by step.
Quand who/that/which est-il obligatoire ? Quand peut-on l'omettre ? Où vont les prépositions ? Maîtrisez les propositions relatives étape par étape.
Relative clauses can use who / that / which — or sometimes leave them out. The key question is always: is the relative pronoun the subject of its clause (cannot omit) or the object (can omit)? This unit also covers preposition placement and the difference between everything that and what.
Les propositions relatives peuvent utiliser who / that / which — ou parfois les omettre. La question clé est toujours : le pronom relatif est-il le sujet de sa proposition (obligatoire) ou l'objet (facultatif) ? Cette unité couvre aussi la position des prépositions et la différence entre everything that et what.
Subject Relative Pronouns — CANNOT Be Omitted
Pronoms Relatifs Sujets — NE PEUVENT PAS être Omis
When who / that / which is the subject of the relative clause, it cannot be left out.
Quand who / that / which est le sujet de la proposition relative, il ne peut pas être omis.
✗
Where are the keys that were on the table? → that = subject of were ✓ REQUIRED
✗
✗
Where are the keys that were on the table? → that = sujet de were ✓ OBLIGATOIRE
✗
✓ Correct — pronoun kept (subject)
✓ Correct — pronom conservé (sujet)
✗ Wrong — pronoun omitted (subject)
✗ Incorrect — pronom omis (sujet)
Object Relative Pronouns — CAN Be Omitted
Pronoms Relatifs Objets — PEUVENT être Omis
When who / that / which is the object of the verb in the relative clause, it can be left out. Both forms are correct.
Quand who / that / which est l'objet du verbe dans la proposition relative, il peut être omis. Les deux formes sont correctes.
Did you find the keys [that] you lost? → you = subject · that = object ✓ OPTIONAL
The dress [that] Lisa bought doesn't fit. → Lisa = subject · that = object ✓ OPTIONAL
⚠ Never repeat the object:
Did you find the keys [that] you lost? → you = sujet · that = objet ✓ FACULTATIF
The dress [that] Lisa bought doesn't fit. → Lisa = sujet · that = objet ✓ FACULTATIF
⚠ Ne répétez jamais l'objet :
Prepositions in Relative Clauses — Position at the End
Prépositions dans les Relatives — Position en Fin de Clause
In everyday English, prepositions go at the end of the relative clause. Do not repeat the object with a pronoun.
En anglais courant, les prépositions se placent à la fin de la proposition relative. Ne répétez pas l'objet avec un pronom.
| Two sentences | ✓ One sentence (informal) | ✓ One sentence (formal) | Deux phrases | ✓ Une phrase (courant) | ✓ Une phrase (formel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom is talking to a woman. Do you know her? | Do you know the woman Tom is talking to? | Do you know the woman to whom Tom is talking? | |||
| I slept in a bed. It wasn't comfortable. | The bed I slept in wasn't comfortable. | The bed in which I slept wasn't comfortable. | |||
| I was looking for the books. | The books you were looking for. | The books for which you were looking. | |||
| I was sitting next to a man. | The man I was sitting next to. | The man next to whom I was sitting. |
Everything that · What = The Thing(s) That
Everything that · What = Les Choses Que
Everything (that) they said was true. → After everything, use that or omit. Never use "what" after everything.
What they said was true. → What = the thing(s) that. Use what to start a noun clause.
Everything (that) they said was true. → Après everything, utilisez that ou omettez-le. N'utilisez jamais "what" après everything.
What they said was true. → What = la/les chose(s) que. Utilisez what pour commencer une proposition nominale.
✓ Correct
✓ Correct
✗ Wrong
✗ Incorrect
Is who/that/which needed? Type the correct pronoun or write – (dash) if it can be omitted.
Who/that/which est-il nécessaire ? Écrivez le bon pronom ou – (tiret) s'il peut être omis.
Based on Unit 93A–B: subject = required · object = optional (type –)
Basé sur Unité 93A–B : sujet = obligatoire · objet = facultatif (tapez –)
Subject or object? Complete with who/that/which or leave blank (type –).
Sujet ou objet ? Complétez avec who/that/which ou laissez vide (tapez –).
Prepositions — type the missing preposition that belongs at the end of the clause.
Prépositions — écrivez la préposition manquante qui va en fin de proposition.
Insert that, what, or – (dash = leave blank) where necessary.
Insérez that, what ou – (tiret = laisser vide) selon le besoin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Fréquentes
Only when it is the object of the verb. "The film (that) I watched" → I watched it → that = object → optional. But: "The film that won the prize" → the film won it → that = subject → required.
Seulement quand il est l'objet du verbe. Si c'est le sujet, il est obligatoire.
In everyday English, prepositions go at the end: "the hotel I stayed at". In formal English: "the hotel at which I stayed". Never repeat the object: ✗ the hotel I stayed at it.
En anglais courant, les prépositions se placent en fin de proposition. En anglais formel, on peut placer la préposition avant whom/which.
What means "the thing(s) that": ✓ What she said was surprising. That is used after a noun: ✓ Everything (that) they said. Never: ✗ Everything what they said.
What signifie « la/les chose(s) que ». That s'utilise après un nom. Ne jamais dire : ✗ Everything what they said.
Yes! That can be used for both: ✓ the woman that lives next door · ✓ the car that broke down. However, that cannot be used in non-defining (extra-information) clauses — see Unit 95.
Oui ! That peut s'utiliser pour les personnes et les choses. Cependant, on ne peut pas utiliser that dans les relatives non-restrictives (voir Unité 95).
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