Relative Clauses 3
whose · whom · where · the day/time/reason — Complete Guide
Propositions Relatives 3
whose · whom · where · the day/time/reason — Guide Complet
Master whose (possessive), whom (formal object), where (place) and time/reason expressions in relative clauses.
Maîtrisez whose (possessif), whom (objet formel), where (lieu) et les expressions de temps/raison dans les relatives.
This unit introduces three more relative pronouns: whose (possessive — replaces his/her/their), whom (formal object form of who), and where (for places). It also covers how to talk about the day, the time and the reason using relative clauses.
Cette unité présente trois autres relatifs : whose (possessif — remplace his/her/their), whom (forme objet formelle de who), et where (pour les lieux). Elle explique aussi comment parler de the day, the time et the reason à l'aide de relatives.
whose — Possessive Relative Pronoun
whose — Pronom Relatif Possessif
Whose replaces his / her / their in a relative clause. It is used mostly for people.
Whose remplace his / her / their dans une relative. Il s'utilise surtout pour les personnes.
→ We helped some people whose car had broken down. (their = whose)
A widow is a woman whose husband is dead. (her husband)
I met someone whose brother I went to school with. (his/her brother) We helped some people. Their car had broken down.
→ We helped some people whose car had broken down. (their = whose)
A widow is a woman whose husband is dead. (her husband)
I met someone whose brother I went to school with. (his/her brother)
who = the person acts
who = la personne agit
whose = possession / relationship
whose = possession / relation
✓ I have a friend who's learning Arabic. (= who is learning)
✓ I have a friend whose sister is learning Arabic. (= her sister) Who's = who is ou who has. Whose = possessif.
✓ I have a friend who's learning Arabic. (= qui apprend)
✓ I have a friend whose sister is learning Arabic. (= sa sœur)
whom — Formal Object Form of who
whom — Forme Objet Formelle de who
Whom is possible instead of who when it is the object of the verb, or after a preposition. It is formal — in everyday English we prefer who or omit the pronoun.
Whom peut remplacer who quand il est l'objet du verbe, ou après une préposition. C'est formel — en anglais courant on préfère who ou l'omettre.
| Formal (whom) | Informal / everyday | Formel (whom) | Courant / informel |
|---|---|---|---|
| George is a person whom I admire very much. | George is a person who/that I admire a lot. or George is a person I admire a lot. | ||
| It's important to have friends with whom you can relax. | It's important to have friends you can relax with. | ||
| The person to whom I spoke was helpful. | The person I spoke to was helpful. | ||
| The woman with whom he was dancing left early. | The woman he was dancing with left early. |
where — Relative Adverb of Place
where — Adverbe Relatif de Lieu
Use where in a relative clause to refer to a place.
Utilisez where dans une relative pour désigner un lieu.
The restaurant where we had lunch was near the airport.
I would like to live in a place where there is plenty of sunshine.
That's the hotel where we stayed last summer. I recently went back to the town where I grew up. (j'y ai grandi)
The restaurant where we had lunch was near the airport.
I would like to live in a place where there is plenty of sunshine.
That's the hotel where we stayed last summer.
the day · the time · the reason + relative clause
the day · the time · the reason + proposition relative
After expressions like the day, the year, the last time, the moment, use (that) or simply leave the gap empty:
Après des expressions comme the day, the year, the last time, the moment, utilisez (that) ou laissez simplement la place vide :
The last time (that) I saw her, she looked great.
The year (that) I was born, it snowed in April.
After the reason, use that, why, or nothing:
The reason (that/why) I'm calling is to ask your advice. I can't meet you on Friday. That's the day (that) I'm going away.
The last time (that) I saw her, she looked great.
The year (that) I was born, it snowed in April.
Après the reason, utilisez that, why ou rien :
The reason (that/why) I'm calling is to ask your advice.
Complete with who or whose.
Complétez avec who ou whose.
You met these people at a party. The next day you describe them to a friend.
Vous avez rencontré ces personnes à une soirée. Le lendemain vous les décrivez à un ami.
Complete with who / whom / whose / where.
Complétez avec who / whom / whose / where.
whom — formal to informal. Rewrite the clause informally.
whom — formel à informel. Réécrivez la proposition de manière informelle.
Complete with where, whose, who, whom, that, or why.
Complétez avec where, whose, who, whom, that ou why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Fréquentes
Whose is the possessive relative pronoun. Who's is a contraction of who is or who has: ✓ I have a friend whose sister is a pilot. (= her sister) ✓ I have a friend who's a pilot. (= who is a pilot)
Whose est le pronom relatif possessif. Who's est la contraction de who is ou who has.
Whom is the object form of who and is formal. Use it when the relative pronoun is the object: George is a person whom I admire. In everyday speech, say who or omit it.
Whom est la forme objet de who et est formel. À l'oral courant, dites who ou omettez-le.
Yes! ✓ The office where she works is downtown. ✓ That's the shop where I bought my coat. You can also say the shop in which I bought my coat (formal) or the shop that I bought it in.
Oui ! Where s'utilise pour tout lieu.
No — that is optional after time expressions: ✓ the day I left or ✓ the day that I left. After the reason: ✓ The reason I called · ✓ The reason that I called · ✓ The reason why I called. All are correct.
Non — that est facultatif après les expressions de temps. Après the reason, toutes les formes sont correctes.
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